A three-year memorandum of understanding was signed in Rome between Telefono Azzurro and the Magna Grecia Foundation for the promotion of conferences, seminars and debates dedicated to the theme of mental health and psycho-physical well-being of minors. In particular, the focus will be on minors who are subject to hardships, forms of deviance or who are victims of violence such as bullying and cyberbullying, intra-family violence or sexual cybercrimes, such as revenge porn.

The use of new technologies among young people will also be the focus of periodic in-depth studies concerning, for example, the immersive reality of the Metaverse, the use of social media and the potential risks and opportunities arising from technological innovation. Another subject of investigation will be the protection of minors' personal data, necessary to raise awareness among young people about the responsible use of digital technologies and social networks. If, on the one hand, digital technology represents an extraordinary opportunity today, at the same time, it can create dangerous environments for the health and harmonious development of young people.

The protocol also provides for participation in projects with national or European funds as well as the joint production of technical and scientific publications on issues of common interest, in particular an annual report with a focus on young people in Southern Italy.

In order to achieve the objectives set out in the Protocol, a Joint Scientific and Technical Committee has been established, composed of two members from each party.

"We are very happy to embark on this journey together with the Magna Grecia Foundation" commented Ernesto Caffo, president of Telefono Azzurro. "I firmly believe that building networks and creating synergies is increasingly necessary, so that Telefono Azzurro's efforts on ensuring the physical, psychological and social well-being of new generations, even in the territories of Southern Italy, will stimulate the commitment of the whole community".

"With this agreement, we are taking an important step in the strategy to support the social and economic growth of the South, an activity that, at Magna Grecia Foundation, we have been pursuing for 40 years. At the heart of our collaboration with Telefono Azzurro I imagine numerous initiatives: for example, a synergy that focuses on the use of new technologies by young people. As a Foundation, we are committed to carrying out research on how organized crime uses social networks, as well as cybercrime. Studies that can be useful for the safeguard of younger generations, particularly those who, on account of the fragility of their socio-cultural and territorial context, are more at risk. The goal is to raise awareness towards emerging problems and the necessity to come up with effective interventions and solutions rooted in the territory" commented Nino Foti, President of the Magna Grecia Foundation.