Italy's teens face digital habits and holiday homework guidance this summer

A study by psychologist Luca Mazzucchelli in collaboration with Meta offers Italian parents four practical ways to help teenagers use digital devices responsibly during the summer break. Recommendations include establishing a flexible micro‑routine, encouraging creative online activities, promoting self‑regulation with built‑in Meta notifications after 60 minutes of use, and fostering open family dialogue. Meta’s “Do Not Disturb” setting for teen accounts automatically silences notifications between 22:00 and 07:00.

Education psychologist Floriana Bitto advises that holiday homework should be limited to about 30–45 minutes per day for primary pupils and 60–90 minutes for secondary students. She proposes a three‑phase model—initial decompression, light maintenance, and pre‑return re‑activation—to keep cognitive skills sharp without turning study into a stressful burden. Bitto stresses the importance of clear objectives, routine, and small, achievable tasks, while also noting concerns that excessive homework can exacerbate inequality. Some educators, such as Dario Ianes, argue for eliminating homework altogether, emphasizing in‑class learning and equal access to resources.