What Happens When Screens Don’t Divide Us—They Unite Us?

Between June 7–15, 2025, a vibrant group of 47 young people from Romania and Hungary came together in the heart of Romania for “Beyond the Screen”, a powerful Erasmus+ Youth Exchange focused on digital safety, cybersecurity, and online wellbeing.

But this wasn’t just another tech talk.

It was an experience where teenagers became digital explorers, tackling real-life online challenges, learning how to protect their personal data, and reflecting on how screens shape (and sometimes distort) their everyday lives.

🔐 Why "Beyond the Screen"?

We live through our screens. But do we really know what’s happening behind them?

The youth exchange was created to give young participants the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely. From interactive workshops to team-building games, we explored topics like:

Spotting phishing attempts and online scams
Participants learned how to identify fake messages, suspicious links, and avoid falling victim to online fraud.

Understanding what digital safety means
From password protection to online privacy, this session built the foundation for smart, safe digital behavior.

Exploring their digital footprint and online identity
Teens reflected on how their posts, clicks, and shares shape their long-term digital presence.

Promoting digital wellbeing and healthy tech habits
This workshop encouraged balance—teaching mindful screen use and the importance of offline time.

Recognizing and responding to cyberbullying
Participants discovered how to identify online harassment, take action, and support their peers.

Activity Objectives: What We Achieved

1.Increase understanding and awareness of digital safety and cybersecurity among young participants through interactive workshops and non-formal education methods.

2.Empower participants to become advocates for responsible digital behavior by developing strategies to promote online safety within their communities.

3.Equip participants with practical skills to identify and respond to digital threats, while fostering critical thinking around data privacy, cyberbullying, and online communication.

Who Were the Participants?

The project brought together young teens aged 13–14 from Romania and Hungary

They were curious, creative, and hungry to learn. And most importantly—they now carry with them the skills to stay safe online and the power to make change in their communities.

Beyond the Screen: Dive Into Our Experience

Getting to Know Each Other

The very first day of Beyond the Screen was all about breaking the ice and making new friends. Everyone came together with smiles and curiosity, ready to kick off an awesome week. We played fun games, shared stories, and laughed a lot — just getting comfortable with each other before diving into the serious stuff. It was the perfect way to start, setting the vibe for a week full of learning and good times!

Exploring the Youthpass Certificate

During the exchange, we discovered the Youthpass certificate.

We talked about how Youthpass isn’t just a paper; it’s a way to recognize and celebrate everything we’ve learned, from teamwork and communication to digital safety skills.

It was a great chance for everyone to reflect on their personal growth, from teamwork to digital safety, and see how these new skills can help in their future studies and careers. The Youthpass showed us that learning goes well beyond just the activities—it’s about real development.

Discovering Our Digital Footprint

Participants worked in small teams to explore what a digital footprint is and how online activities like social media and gaming leave traces. They created posters and shared their findings, learning why it’s important to manage their digital footprint. The activity ended with a fun sorting game to practice what they’d learned.

Understanding Phishing — Don’t Get Hooked!

In this eye-opening session, participants learned how to spot phishing scams and suspicious online messages. Through real-life examples and group challenges, they discovered the tricks scammers use and how to stay safe.

By the end, everyone was better prepared to recognize red flags and protect themselves online—no one got hooked!

Cyber Chase in Sighișoara — A Digital Adventure in a Medieval City

One of the most exciting moments of the exchange was our study visit to Sighișoara, a stunning medieval city full of history and charm. But this wasn’t just sightseeing — it was the start of the Cyber Chase!

Participants were split into teams and given a challenge: explore the city while completing interactive tasks related to digital safety and cybersecurity.

From solving tech riddles and answering online safety trivia to finding hidden clues across historic streets, every step was a blend of culture, fun, and learning. The teams worked together to complete each mission, building both their digital knowledge and their friendships.

It was the perfect mix of history, teamwork, and playful learning—proving that even in a medieval city, the digital world is never too far away!

Celebrating Cultures | Intercultural Evenings

No youth exchange is complete without a taste of each other’s culture—and we did it in style!

We dedicated two unforgettable nights to intercultural evenings, where participants from Romania and Hungary took the lead in sharing their traditions, music, food, and fun.

Romanian Intercultural Evening

During the Romanian night, the group was treated to lively folk dances, traditional snacks, and a interesting quiz. The evening ended with singing and clapping to the rhythm of joy and community.

Hungarian Intercultural Evening

The Hungarian evening brought just as much energy, with beautiful songs, fun cultural quizzes, and traditional games that got everyone involved. From folk rhythms to modern beats, the dance floor lit up with laughter and movement.

These nights were more than just entertainment—they were a celebration of interculturality, showing how learning about each other’s backgrounds can build stronger bonds and mutual respect. Plus, they were a whole lot of fun!

Never Goodbye — Just See You Again

As the final day arrived, it was clear that saying goodbye wasn’t easy. After a week full of learning, laughter, dancing, and connection, strong bonds had been formed. But in Erasmus+, we don’t really say goodbye—we say “see you again”. Because every end is just the start of something new.

With hugs, promises to keep in touch, and even a few happy tears, participants returned home—carrying not just memories, but new knowledge, friendships, and a drive to make a difference.

What Comes Next: DEOR & Follow-Up

One of the most important goals of an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is to create a meaningful impact—not just during the activity, but long after it ends.

Through our DEOR (Dissemination and Exploitation of Results) Plan, participants were encouraged to take what they learned and share it with others—in schools, youth clubs, or online. They became local ambassadors for digital safety, using creative tools like presentations, posters, or even social media challenges to spread awareness in their communities.

Because at its heart, a youth exchange like Beyond the Screen is not just about learning—it's about empowering young people to make a difference, in their own lives and in the world around them.

Spreading the Impact: DEOR in Action

📍 Romania, Miercurea Ciuc

On June 16th, 2025, the Romanian team organized a vibrant dissemination event at Școala Gimnazială „Liviu Rebreanu” in Miercurea Ciuc. Together with their group leaders, the 20 participants shared their Beyond the Screen experience through a short presentation filled with photos, stories, and highlights from the exchange.

Using the same non-formal education methods from the project, they led an interactive workshop on key topics like Phishing, Cyberbullying, Cookies, and Digital Competences. To end on a fun note, they got everyone moving with one of their favorite energizers from the exchange.

It was a day full of learning, laughter, and inspiring others to stay safe and smart in the digital world.

Sharing with Educators

On June 17th, 2025, during the final teachers’ meeting at Școala Gimnazială „Liviu Rebreanu”, the group leaders held a dissemination session focused on the youth exchange. They presented the project’s key elements—non-formal education methods, learning outcomes, photos, and personal reflections. The session also sparked a meaningful discussion on how these methods can be integrated into the school’s daily teaching.

📍 Hungary, Budapest

On June 19th, 2025, participants at Szent Anna Görögkatolikus Gimnázium és Technikum in Budapest led a dissemination session. Using a Canva presentation, they showcased the non-formal education methods, learning outcomes, photos, personal stories, and unforgettable memories from the youth exchange.

“Beyond the Screen” showed us that digital safety is not just a topic—it’s a life skill. Empowering young people with the tools to protect themselves online is not just about avoiding danger—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and community in a digital world.