Dr. Helen Vossen is a Youth and Media researcher. Her research focuses on how the media use of children and young people influences their psychosocial development both positively and negatively and what the role of educators is in this. Essential to her research is the social impact of her work. For and together with various stakeholders (parents, children, teachers, social workers and policymakers), her research focuses on stimulating healthy screen use among children. Below are some of the projects in which Helen Vossen is involved:
- Digital Family project: this project looks at the influence of digital media on family functioning and how parents influence problematic social media use of their children.
- Youth and Digitalisation () research: JEDi is a large-scale multidisciplinary study into which factors influence the relationship between digital media use and youth development and opportunities. The aim is to develop skills and tools that support a positive impact of digital media use, development and equity opportunities.
- : this research, in collaboration with VU Amsterdam, Leiden 木瓜福利影视 of Applied Sciences and Youth & Media Advice, aims to evaluate existing media interventions and to investigate to what extent they can also be helpful for neurodivergent youth. This research has a strong participatory character, in which it is worked out together with young people and professionals how interventions and policy can best meet the needs of neurodivergent young people.
Helen Vossen is also co-author of the first Dutch Guideline for Healthy Screen Use , which was drawn up on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Science and Sport.