The situation according to young people: under- or overstimulated?
Many young people are aware of how much time they spend on screens. It is often a lot, but it also feels normal: they have grown up with it and hardly know anything else. Stopping is difficult. Social media can be addictive, but also enjoyable and valuable, helping them stay in touch with friends, discover hobbies and find communities. Still, the balance can be hard to maintain. Can real connections be made through a screen? And how can young people meet new people offline?
Our research shows that young people actively seek stimulation. Platforms like Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram offer it quickly, easily and for free. They help pass the time, but after a while this stimulation can feel unsatisfying. Young people may look for alternatives, yet the city does not always offer the right kind of experience. It can be expensive, feel unfamiliar, or simply be unclear what is available.
That is why public spaces for young people should be designed together with them, so they truly reflect their needs.
The solution according to young people: a place to simply be
Together with young people, we explored what the places they need could look like. At its core, it is simply a place where they can be themselves: with little supervision, without feeling like they are bothering others, and with the freedom to come, go and ideally grow. Together, these qualities create the ideal Third Place: a low-threshold space without obligations that encourages social interaction and connection.
The aim is to design these places in a way that gives young people more ownership over their time and attention. By offering meaningful alternatives beyond the screen, they can find a healthier balance.
Young people say they use their phones most at home. When there are things to do and people to do them with, screen time decreases. To be attractive, these places need to feel clear and safe. Young people want to know what to expect, who will be there, whether they can meet others, and whether the place connects with what they want to do, learn or discover.
Design-led youth participation and co-creation
To create these places, we work with young people step by step. One of the key principles of design-led youth participation and co-creation is trust between researchers, designers and young people. Too often, young people are asked to contribute without getting much in return. That is why we first took time to explore and get to know young people from different neighbourhoods.
Understanding the local context is essential. What works in one area may not work in another: young people’s needs differ, and every neighbourhood offers different opportunities. There is no single approach to creating Third Places.
What matters is starting where the energy already is. New places and activities can be exciting, but they can also create barriers. Ask: what are young people already doing, and how can we strengthen it? What would they like to do, and what can we design together to make that possible?
You can only discover where the energy lies by exploring possibilities together with young people. That is how their needs can shape places that are often not designed for them.
