A socio-spatial needs analysis of digital streetwork in Burgenland

Digital streetwork is an innovative approach to social work that engages teenagers and young adults within their digital environment. Given the growing importance of social media, messaging services and online communities, the realities of life, the problems people face and their need for support are increasingly shifting into the virtual space. Digital Streetwork uses digital channels to create low-threshold access to target groups, build trust and connect them with appropriate support services. This potential can be harnessed particularly in the field of addiction prevention: early intervention and support in digital spaces can help to identify risky consumption behaviour at an early stage and provide information in an accessible way before problematic patterns emerge.

A socio-spatial needs analysis is to be carried out to identify the virtual spaces where adolescents and young people in Burgenland spend their free time, communicate and seek information, as well as to assess regional characteristics and the requirements of potential users. The aim is to investigate how the target group of 12–18-year-olds can be reached via digital channels and how this access can be utilised for outreach work with a focus on addiction prevention. This analysis can serve as a basis for developing a concept and for the potential implementation of Digital Streetwork in Burgenland.