YouTHink Project Invites Young People to an International Comic Competition and Online Exhibition

Young people from Lithuania, Italy, Portugal and Slovenia are invited to take part in the YouTHink international comic competition and online exhibition, “The Digital Future We Want.” Participants are encouraged to use their creativity to show how they envision the digital future. The competition and exhibition aim to promote media literacy. 

By creating original comics, participants can share their perspectives on misinformation, ethical AI use, social media manipulation and safe choices online. The competition is open to young people aged 14–19. They can enter individually or in teams of up to three. Each individual or team must create a 6–8 panel comic featuring at least one YouTHink character: Ema, Kristy, Adam or Lukas. 

To take part in the competition, participants must register for the YouTHink pilot programme. Participation in the competition is free. 

Comics must be submitted via YouTHink Moodle by 5 December 2026, at 17:00 CET.

Four Themes, Different Perspectives on the Digital World

The competition explores four key themes of digital citizenship:

• Misinformation and fact-checking: how to recognise misleading information, critically assess online content and verify sources.
• Ethical use of artificial intelligence: how to use AI responsibly and transparently, create digital content and evaluate AI-generated content.
• Social media manipulation: how online platforms, algorithms and persuasive content can influence people’s perceptions and behaviour.
• Social engineering and safe choices online: how to recognise digital scams, protect personal information and make thoughtful, informed decisions.

By creating comics on these themes, participants are invited to show why it is important to critically assess information and verify facts and sources. Their stories can help others understand how media literacy skills are useful in everyday life – recognising misinformation and manipulation and making informed decisions in the digital environment.

An International Online Exhibition Open to the Public

Comics that meet the competition’s requirements will be published in the YouTHink Online Exhibition on the project’s official website. Young people, teachers, youth workers, families and anyone interested will be able to explore original comics and discover how young people understand media literacy and responsible behaviour in the digital environment. 

The exhibition will be published progressively: newly accepted works will be added twice a month, and all accepted competition entries will be published by 15 December 2026. The exhibition will also invite visitors to reflect on their own digital habits: how they assess information found online, verify facts and sources, and recognise attempts to manipulate them.

Recognising Young People’s Ideas and Creativity

An international jury will evaluate the submitted comics. It will recognise works that convey a clear media literacy message, tell an engaging story and demonstrate critical thinking and originality. The competition results will be announced by 15 December 2026. An international online awards event will follow, with the date to be announced later. 

Every author of an accepted entry will receive a digital participation certificate. The authors of winning entries will also receive digital winner certificates and prizes. Details about the prizes and their allocation will be announced separately on Moodle and the project website. This initiative also contributes to the broader objectives of the YouTHink project – equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate the digital environment critically, safely and responsibly.

Discover the Comics and See the Digital Future Through Young People’s Eyes

The YouTHink partnership invites the public to explore young people’s stories, discover different perspectives and reflect on the digital challenges we face every day. Visit the YouTHink Online Exhibition page for information about the competition. Participants’ comics will be available there at a later stage. 

For updates and results, follow the competition website and official social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

Where to Submit Your Comic and Get Help

Once you have joined your national YouTHink course on Moodle, you will find learning materials, character illustrations and the full competition rules. You must also submit your comic through this course. If you have difficulty registering or joining the course, contact your national project partner using the details below:

• Lithuania: VIPT association (RIAP), asociacija@vipt.lt
• Italy: CRHACK LAB FOLIGNO 4D, grafica@clf4d.eu
• Portugal: Universidade Politécnica de Tomar, geral@ipt.pt
• Slovenia: Simbioza, info@simbioza.eu

An Invitation to Educators and Youth Workers

Professionals working with young people, youth workers, librarians, teachers and other adults working with young people are invited to support the YouTHink pilot programme as mentors and use its learning materials free of charge in educational activities. These materials support the exploration of media literacy, responsible AI use and safe digital choices with young people. 

Adults can provide feedback, help participants use digital tools and submit their work, while leaving the comic’s story and creative decisions to the young authors themselves.