Influencer Communication for Youth Health

(INCO)

In this project, young people work closely with researchers to develop ideas for social media campaigns for health promotion. They share their experiences and design first concepts. Selected campaigns are tested in experimental studies, evaluated, and thoroughly discussed with the participants.

What are the aims of the project?

The project aims to develop new ideas for health promotion on social media together with young people. Students are not only asked for their opinions but actively shape the research process. In workshops, they discuss how influencers can present health topics in engaging ways and create their own campaign proposals. The most convincing ideas are tested in scientific online studies to examine their impact. Afterwards, the results are reflected on together with the students and presented publicly. This creates an innovative approach that raises awareness of health promotion among young people, values their perspectives, and delivers practical, evidence-based communication strategies that can be directly applied in real campaigns.

How can I participate in the research?

In line with the citizen science approach, young people can actively experience and help shape the entire research process: - Participation in school classes: Three selected classes take part in developing campaigns for youth health promotion. - Contributing ideas: Young people share their experiences, discuss relevant health topics, and develop initial concepts for influencer campaigns. - Workshops: In creative and design-thinking workshops, concrete social media campaigns are developed. - Competition & selection: The best ideas are evaluated and selected by the classes. - Online studies: Selected campaigns are tested in an online experiment with around 1,500 participants. - Reflection: Results are reflected upon together with the young people. - Contribution to results: Young people provide feedback, support scientific publications, and contribute their perspectives to the further development of the project.