Greater concentration in studying, quality relationships, and psychological and physical well-being: this is how the University promotes a conscious use of digital technology.
Rome, March 24, 2026 - In the attention economy that characterizes contemporary times, time represents a scarce and increasingly contested resource. It is on this ridge that the initiative of theCampus Bio-Medico University of Rome (UCBM), which introduces into its academic ecosystem LockBox, an application designed to promote the so-called “active disconnection".
The data clearly outlines the phenomenon: on average we spend approximately three hours a day on the smartphone, with over 100 hits newspapers. At the same time, awareness of the risks associated with excessive use is growing among young people: 77% of Italian studentschiara a form of addiction, while beyond the 90% recognize a direct impact on one's psychophysical well-being. At an international level, studies of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School highlight how more than half of adolescents perceive the device as a significant distraction in the educational context.
It is in this framework that UCBM It aims to be an advanced laboratory for experimentation, integrating technology and training in a digitally balanced perspective. LockBox does not impose constraints, but activates motivational levers: through an approach based on Self-Determination TheoryThe app encourages autonomy, responsibility, and connection. Students voluntarily choose to "pause" notifications, monitoring their progress and participating in collaborative learning with peers.
The implementation is widespread and structural: over 120 physical workstations Distributed throughout the University buildings, they allow the service to be activated and deactivated, transforming the digital experience into a conscious and contextualized gesture. The gamification system—with rewards, incentives, and leaderboards—strengthens engagement, fostering positive competition geared toward well-being.
In academic terms, the initiative fits coherently into the educational model of UCBM, characterized by a strong integration between experiential teaching and teacher-student relationship, with a ratio of one to seventeen and immersive environments such as the Simulation Center. The quality of training, in this sense, is not separate from the quality of attention.
“We believe that a healthier relationship with one's devices is the foundation of a broader concept of well-being,” says the Rector, Prof. Rocco Papalia. "At our University, we have always invested in tutoring and the centrality of interpersonal relationships, including through structured initiatives dedicated to student well-being, such as the Proben project, which offers psychological counseling and support during difficult moments during the university journey. Together with the Campus Life, sports, volunteering, and international cooperation activities, these initiatives contribute to building an environment that cares about the individual, to develop aware and responsible men and women. With the introduction of LockBox We are further strengthening this commitment by offering students a concrete tool to experience their university and relational journey more consciously."
Alongside its institutional dimension, the project has a strong focus on applied research and innovation. Lockbox was born from an idea of Giulia Violati and Simone D'Amico, researcher at the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital e Harvard Medical School, with the aim of combining scientific evidence and scalable technological solutions.
"THEThe issue is not to demonize technology, but to redesign its use according to educational objectives and well-being – he underlines Simone D'Amico, Cofounder & CEO - LockBox It introduces a proactive model: it doesn't limit, but empowers. When students are actively involved in managing their digital time, there can be positive impacts on concentration, motivation, and the quality of relationships.».
"TheLockbox was born from the observation of a real need among students: not to eliminate the smartphone, but to have a tool to manage it better – explains Giulia Violati, Cofounder & CMO We've designed a simple and accessible experience that transforms disconnection into a positive and shared choice, capable of restoring value to time, study, and daily relationships.».
From a medical-scientific perspective, literature confirms that hyperconnection can affect various parameters: from altered sleep-wake rhythms to increased stress levels, up to effects on memory and learning ability. In this sense, the initiative of UCBM It is configured not only as an educational intervention, but as a concrete action for prevention and health promotion. "Active disconnection" thus emerges as a strategic lever: an investment in the quality of attention, the depth of relationships, and, ultimately, in building more aware and resilient human capital.
