Whatsapp e oltre - in ascolto della gener@zione digit@le, dalla multimedialità alla relazionalità (emotiva)

This publication presents the results of the project “WhatsApp e Oltre: listening to the digital generation, from multimedia communication to emotional relationality”, carried out by Università Cattolica – ASAG, ATS Milano and ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco. The project began in the 2014/2015 school year and has been renewed every year up to the present 2024/2025 school year. The volume describes a long-standing school-based psychological counselling initiative addressed to adolescents attending upper secondary schools in Milan. Through listening desks and brief psychological consultations, the project aims to promote students’ psychological well-being, prevent youth distress, and support young people in giving meaning to their emotional, relational and developmental difficulties. Particular attention is given to the impact of digital communication on adolescents’ identity construction, emotional life and interpersonal relationships. The publication also presents the organizational model of the project, based on collaboration among university, health services and schools, and discusses the results of a research-evaluation process aimed at assessing the appropriateness and quality of the interventions. Overall, the contribution highlights the value of psychological listening in educational contexts as a preventive, clinical and relational tool for understanding and supporting the needs of contemporary adolescents.