The project’s primary aim is to understand how autistic youth incorporate the Internet into their daily lives and how online interaction is meeting the felt needs of autistic youth. This understanding will provide valuable information and insights for families and caregivers and professionals of the value of the internet for autistic flourishing and for early identification of unhealthy and negative online behaviours where necessary.

Autistic youth, families and caregivers, and professionals of the autism community, both in the partner countries and across Europe, will have access to co-produced research and current literature about the use of the internet by autistic youth. Co-produced knowledge shared and discussed by all target groups and underpinned by literature will inform the development of a toolkit of strategies, practices and tools that will foster a better understanding of the benefits of healthy Internet use and the detrimental impact of problematic internet use on personal relationships, autonomy, and independence, and overall quality of life over time.

Listening to autistic voices is key to the inclusion of neurodiverse youth across the EU in youth activities, education, sport and their progression to further education and/or employment. Autistic youth will be involved in all stages of the project and will evaluate outputs and participate in decision-making about the format and the content of the informative materials. These activities will empower autistic youth to share their knowledge and understanding of the Internet with their families and with professionals who work with youth and members of the autism community. This sharing of knowledge and understanding of their digital lives will inform all target groups in order to address the challenges and benefits of digital transformation.

The project’s specific objectives are:

• To explore with autistic youth how they use the Internet and why online tools and digital spaces can aid autistic flourishing;
• To raise awareness between project stakeholders of each targets groups perceptions of internet usage and build understanding of the pros and cons of the Internet as a relational space;
• To explore balanced understandings of target group views of online digital spaces and negotiate agreement of appropriate, healthy use;
• To collaborate with all target groups and stakeholders (autistic youth, families and caregivers and professionals) to jointly design intervention strategies, practices and tools that promote healthy online habits and responsible internet use.

The outcomes of this project will contribute to the quality, innovation and recognition of youth work by providing a comprehensive exploration of the use of the Internet by autistic youth through research, workshops and the production of informed tools and strategies for supporting autistic youth across youthwork and other youth support settings.

These outcomes will be:

• Evidence-based, participatory research with autistic youth on their internet behaviours.
• Desk-based national reports and consolidated transnational reports on services and strategies for supporting autistic youth and their families on safe internet use.
• Awareness-raising campaign and materials for families and caregivers of autistic youth.
• A toolkit for professionals, families and autistic youth on safe and healthy internet use.
• Policy recommendations to inform stakeholders across the EU.