06/06/2025

EdTech week: Snapshots from Portugal!

“For today’s children, there is no ‘digital world’ and ‘real world’—it’s all just their world.” That’s why digital well-being isn’t a tech issue. It’s a human one. This year's School Innovation Forum, organised by European Schoolnet, brought together policymakers, EdTech providers, and school representatives to discuss how to help students navigate this world safely.

EmpowerED's parallel session at the event was on Digital well-being by design — how can all stakeholders act proactively to support students’ digital well-being? Together with more than 40 participants, we examined the characteristics of technology that prioritises student wellbeing, including mindful design and balanced digital practices, and discussed how educators and EdTech companies can collaborate to create healthier digital learning experiences.

The three key takeaways from our engaging discussions will inform EmpowerED's recommendations to European policymakers:

• Building a true sense of community is essential — regular, trusted exchanges matter more than just conversations.
• Digital literacy isn’t just for students and teachers; parents play a critical role and need structured guidance and inclusion.
• ‘Risk-free sandboxes’ empower students with autonomy to make well-informed decisions about their digital well-being, without exposure to real harm.

A big thank you to Panagiotis Kampylis PhD, Policy and Data Analyst at the Greek National Documentation Centre and Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus, for joining us as our invited speaker! And of course, to our EmpowerED partner, Vasileios Gkamas, from CTI “Diophantus” who joined us in Lisbon!

Do you want to share your opinions or proven practices that promote digital well-being? Follow us on LinkedIn to participate in the conversation and get our latest news!