VIENNA - September 2025 marks the official launch of PROMISE, a three-year, €1.5 million international research initiative dedicated to understanding how social media policies, platform design, and digital environments influence young people’s mental health and well-being.
Bringing together research teams across five European countries and universities, PROMISE is funded by CHANSE and unites experts in psychology, media studies, sociology, and communication. What makes PROMISE unique is its commitment to producing real policy and social impact - moving beyond academic insights toward practical, evidence-based change.
A defining feature of the project is its youth-centered approach. PROMISE integrates the lived experiences, knowledge, and priorities of young people through focus groups, co-creation workshops, and a dedicated Youth Advisory Board, shifting the focus from research on young people to research with and for them.
Coinciding with the University of Vienna’s major web portal relaunch, the PROMISE project website (insert link when published) is now live. The site serves as the central hub for all project updates, including:
- Regular news and announcements
- Project publications and research outputs
- Details on the consortium and partners
- Open-access resources and future data releases
Reflecting PROMISE’s mission, the website is designed to support transparent communication, public engagement, and shared learning among youth, educators, policymakers, and civil society organizations. The team welcomes collaboration and opportunities to broaden the reach and real-world relevance of the project.
PROMISE will continue to share milestones as the initiative progresses, contributing to healthier and more supportive digital environments for young people.