University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW: Youth Between High Risk and Normality

“The topics and the question of why they use digital media do not differ much from other young people,” says Prof. Dr. Rahel Heeg from the Institute for Child and Youth Welfare at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW. Together with her team and Monika Luginbühl from BFF – Competence Development Bern, she interviewed highly stressed young people aged twelve to eighteen about their use of digital media. Due to their situation, they live in residential settings - the professionals from the eight facilities were also given a voice. The results of all these interviews provide insight into the sometimes delicate interplay of child welfare in child protection, freedom rights, and youthful autonomy in relation to digital media. The study, called “re:connect,” is being released on 23rd October and investigates the handling of digital media in intensive care settings of youth welfare and psychiatry. It is part of the MEKiS initiative (“Media Competence in Social Work”), which creates foundations for media educational support of children, young people, and adults with impairments in social work.

Stronger stress in residential facilities

“Tendentially, young people who are placed in residential facilities are more stressed than young people who live with their families,” describes Rahel Heeg the situation of the young people. “The problems experienced by many young people anyway - quite independent of the question of handling digital media - are, therefore, particularly pronounced with them.” The range of topics they use digital media for is as broad as with their peers in families, but how they can use them is often different: namely when usage times are limited by the facility. “When you can only use your phone at specific times - or maybe not at all - and all the chats continue running, you’re just out of the chats,” Rahel Heeg summarizes a key insight.

Media competence as a challenge

Besides questions regarding the use of digital media, the study also addresses questions of media competence - and not only of the young people but also of the adults. “It is essential to see that media competence includes various sub-competencies,” explains Monika Luginbühl from BFF - Competence Development Bern: “Technically, young people are often very proficient. Sometimes also in usage - they’re quick to do something on the device. But when it comes to reflective competence or social skills, those responsible for them and professionals can pass on a lot to them. And that’s just by engaging with the young people and being interested in them - without having to know their every action. That has a lot to do with the quality of the relationship and relationship design: a very central value,” says Monika Luginbühl. For this, the professionals themselves need good knowledge of digital media and an interest in the worlds of young people.

Study to be released on 23rd October

More about the study can be found in the attached interview with the two researchers, the study itself will be published on 23rd October 2025.

Contact

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW
School of Social Work
Prof. Dr. Rahel Heeg
Co-Head of the Institute for Child and Youth Welfare
Hofackerstrasse 30
4132 Muttenz
Tel: 0041 (0)612285957
Email: rahel.heeg@fhnw.ch

BFF Competence Development Bern
Monika Luginbühl
Lecturer for Technical Colleges in Social Pedagogy/Childhood Pedagogy
Monbijoustrasse 21
PO Box
3001 Bern
Tel: 0041 (0)31 635 28 00
Email: monika.luginbuehl@bffbern.ch

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, with campuses in Olten and Muttenz, is locally and regionally anchored, internationally networked, and its services in education and further education, research, and service are widely recognized. In its research and development focus “Social Innovation,” it analyzes, initiates, and supports innovation processes in cooperation and exchange with practice. It thus promotes the professionalization of social work and contributes significantly to the understanding and innovative handling of social problems and societal challenges.

More information at www.fhnw.ch/hsa

BFF - Competence Development Bern

BFF - Competence Development Bern is an institution of the Canton of Bern, located in Bern. It is an intercultural education center for the topics of bridging offers, care, health, hotel housekeeping, childhood pedagogy, social pedagogy, facility management, and continuing education. 5800 people from more than 80 different nations work and learn at the school.

More information at www.bffbern.ch

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW
Dominik Lehmann
Head of Communication FHNW
Bahnhofstrasse 6
5210 Windisch
T +41 56 202 77 28
dominik.lehmann@fhnw.ch
www.fhnw.ch

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