Our Work

In a time when the social and digital gap between young people and their parents has never been wider, we operate at the intersection of technology and human connection. We strive for a deeper understanding and knowledge of the phenomena that impact youth, so that as a society, we can better prepare them for the future.

Our primary mission is to promote sustainable conditions for the upbringing of children and youth by collaborating with both commercial and public entities that share our vision.

For The Nowegian Media Authority

The growing issue of "toxic behavior" on gaming and media platforms used by young people has prompted the Norwegian government to take action. Preventive measures are being implemented through a three-week program developed by the Norwegian Media Authority, in collaboration with JUNG and the Level Up gaming community. This program is designed for teachers to use in education, with the aim of guiding children towards making healthier choices while they are online.

Workshop

The Heros Journey

In 2019, the Norwegian game design studio Krillbite Studios created the game Mosaic. The game follows a dystopian story centered around a character who seems trapped in the monotony of everyday life. The atmosphere of the game reflects the character's bleak world, and the events that unfold emphasize the existential feelings stirring within him. At some point in our lives, most of us will experience a sense of meaninglessness. Therefore, the story in Mosaic isn't just a fictional tale; it also presents a very real scenario that illustrates aspects of the human condition and the common struggles we all face. However, how we deal with this varies.

How do we end up feeling meaningless?

What prevents us from moving in a positive direction when life feels bleak?

Can a gaming experience actually translate to our own lives?

To explore this, we organized a workshop. Participants were given a sheet with questions related to the protagonist's experiences throughout the story. After completing the workshop, the participants confirmed that they drew parallels to their own life experiences. The story's plot and the related questions on the sheet made some of them aware of choices they had made in life and inspired reflections on how they wanted to move forward. This represents the analogy of the hero's journey. It symbolizes the search for our own truth, requiring us to explore our deepest emotions, overcome self-imposed barriers, and make the necessary changes to lead ourselves toward a more meaningful life. Our intention with creating the workshop was to demonstrate how a video game can be used as a tool to help people experiencing an existential crisis and struggling to find ways to move their lives in a more meaningful direction.

Lecture

Digital parenthood

In this lecture, we take a closer look at gaming to better understand the mysterious phenomenon that so many children and young people are passionate about.

We explore the potential, uses, challenges, and qualities of gaming, closely linking these aspects to childhood development and mental health. The lecture is divided into two parts, each shedding light on the unique human aspects and interactions that emerge in this alternative world.

As parents and adults around young gamers, it can be challenging to gain insight into what happens when our children log into the gaming world. Unfortunately, many parents also show little interest when it comes to gaming. When a child's interest seems incomprehensible or uninteresting, it can create a distance between parents and their children. This distance can lead to a breakdown in communication between the two. As a result, there is an increasing need for knowledge, engagement, and understanding. Would you like more information about this lecture? Go ahead and download this file!

Join us on an exploratory journey!

Podcast

We are launching a new podcast: SIRKEL – A Voice for the Future!

We all have a unique story that shapes who we are and how we see the world in our own unique way. In turbulent times, we find that young voices are often marginalized and taken lightly. At JUNG, we want to change this! Therefore, we are releasing our podcast SIRKEL, where we gain insight into what it means to be young in Norway today in various ways. In their own words and from their own perspectives, our guests highlight current topics that don't necessarily appear in public debates. We want to bring forward their unique stories and perspectives, placing them in a larger context and contributing to more understanding and solidarity.

We aim for our listeners to become acquainted with different perspectives, gain increased competence around mental health, and understand how to relate to people with various challenges. The target audience for the podcast is not just children and youth, but also the adults who care for them. This includes teachers, volunteers, parents, or anyone who wants to understand the young mind better. Through the podcast, we wish to break down complexity to a level that allows listeners to comprehend social challenges in relation to exclusion. We also hope that listeners who can relate to the guests' stories and viewpoints will feel less alone in their own challenges and feel a sense of hope and motivation.

“The background for our podcast is that young people in Norway have never had it worse, seen through their own eyes. Increasingly more feel lonely, absorbed by a consumer society where status and pressure contribute to many struggling mentally. Fighting and violence among young people are signs of a lack of facilitation and that kids are not getting what they need. We need to create value from within. Common to all is that everyone has a unique story. A podcast can be such an initiative and serve as a pulse on what youth are concerned with,” say Kristian and Lars.

Gjøviks Blad 26.10.22

Bridge Builder

Today's parent generation is seeking better and more updated information on what young people care about, the issues they face, and the opportunities their digital lives offer. We hope the podcast can function as a bridge builder and motivate to open conversations around the dinner table, allowing the talk to flow over the family's most important meal, as was more common before. We hope the podcast will help create a more inclusive and open society where communication, understanding, and empathy flourish across generations and environments.

In uncertain times marked by war and unrest, increased violence in society, and growing concerns, it is now time to let the young speak. After all, they are the ones who will tackle these challenges in the future.