Happiness2.0: the new edition of the project on well-being and conscious use of social media and artificial intelligence in adolescence kicks off

The digital world offers significant growth opportunities, but it also raises important questions, particularly for younger generations. To encourage thoughtful reflection on the use of social media, artificial intelligence, and well-being during adolescence, Happiness2.0 is being relaunched. This initiative, aimed at students, parents, and adults, is supported by the IBSA Foundation for Scientific Research, Lugano Living Lab, and USI. Through engaging and creative workshops, the project invites participants to explore topics such as digital identity, social relationships, and artificial intelligence, aiming to promote a healthier and more balanced connection with the online world.

After the success of 2024, the second edition of the project Happiness2.0 - Use of social media, artificial intelligence and well-being in adolescence - is being launched. This initiative is promoted by the IBSA Foundation for Scientific Research and Università della Svizzera italiana. This year, the City of Lugano joins as a new partner through the Lugano Living Lab, participating in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 editions.

The collaboration among public institutions, private foundations, and academia makes the Happiness2.0 project a prime example of synergy serving new generations and society aimed at promoting a more mindful and humane use of digital technologies. The project is part of the public awareness initiative Digitale Consapevole (Digital Awareness) promoted by Lugano Living Lab - City of Lugano and is part of the Let's Science! project promoted by the IBSA Foundation and the Department of Education, Culture and Sport of the Canton Ticino (DECS). The event has the patronage of DECS and the scientific support of Dr Laura Marciano, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at Harvard University.

In 2024, the project was financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and involved more than 400 high school students from the Canton of Ticino in the first edition, promoting conscious reflection on issues related to subjective happiness, personality development and the role of social relations in the digital context.

Happiness2.0 is expanding its offerings in the new editions by introducing more workshops called "HappyLabs." These workshops are designed for both students and adults. With an experiential and interactive approach, each workshop combines theoretical discussions with practical and creative activities. The goal is to encourage critical thinking about the impact of technology and social media on daily life and overall well-being. Central modules include the mask workshop, which explores real and virtual identity dynamics. A new feature of the 2025 edition will be the introduction of the topic of artificial intelligence, which is increasingly present in the digital and social media ecosystem today.

The experiences and content from HappyLabs will be showcased at the CitSciHelvetia 2025 conference in Lausanne, taking place from 5 June to 6, and during the AI Week in Lugano, which is scheduled for 1 to 5 December 2025, at Asilo Ciani. During this event, there will also be a public debate on artificial intelligence and digital well-being, featuring participation from students, experts, and citizens.

The experts involved:

A team of qualified experts in the fields of psychology and communication will lead the workshops:

• Laura Marciano, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness and scientific head of the project;
• Silvia Misiti, Director of IBSA Foundation;
• Elena Marchiori, USI Lecturer and Project Leader Lugano Living Lab, City of Lugano;
• Peter Schulz, Professor of Communication Theories and Health Communication at USI.
• Dario Gennari, Psychologist and Psychotherapist;
• Pietro Bianchi, Psychologist and Research Assistant at USI.

Venue:

The workshops will take place at Casa Carlo Cattaneo, a historic and iconic building of Castagnola and Lugano, which has served as the IBSA Foundation's headquarters for scientific research since 2022. This culturally significant location represents a new hub for research and thought in the city. As a result, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a unique educational experience within this inspiring context, fostering reflection, creativity, and intergenerational dialogue.

Registration open for Happy Lab:

• HappyLab for high school classes in Canton Ticino: to join with your class, contact [email protected]
• HappyLab for parents and adults, scheduled for Tuesday, 7 May at 6 pm at Casa Cattaneo, Lugano (limited places). To register: [email protected]
• You can also pre-register for the HappyLabs autumn 2025 for parents and adults (dates to be defined), again at: [email protected]

All about the project:

https://luganolivinglab.ch/it/projects/happiness

https://www.ibsafoundation.org/it/happiness2.0-2025

For further information:

Lugano Living Lab - City of Lugano

Email: [email protected], m. +41 79 796 11 56

Press Office IBSA Foundation for scientific research, Laboratorio delle Parole Email: [email protected], m. +41 77 417 93 72

Università della Svizzera italiana

Institutional Communication Service - t. +41 58 666 4792 - www.usi.ch