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Help and Advice

Digital wellbeing

Young people are growing up in a world where technology has always been present for them, which can have a positive and negative impact on their lives

Digital wellbeing is about how the internet and technology can make us feel. This includes recognising the impact being online can have on:

  • Our emotions,
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Physical health and wellbeing. 

Technology and the internet should be there to enhance and simplify our lives rather than be a cause of distraction, worry or upset.

However, not all online experiences are positive for young people, and this can have a negative impact on how they feel about themselves, their friendships and relationships and even how they see the wider world. 

What impacts digital wellbeing?

Any negative online experience could impact a young person’s digital wellbeing, but there are some issues that young people tell us are more likely to shape how going online makes them feel.

Falling outs and disagreements within friendships and relationships can often be seen as part of growing up but when these occur online they can become more complicated. The ambiguity of the internet and the fact that we cannot see someone’s facial expression or hear their tone of voice can mean that messages and posts are misunderstood.

This could be pressure to look a certain way, recieve a large number of likes or follows or even pressure to watch and engage with content they may not be comfortable with. For example, on social media young people may encounter highly edited images which portray an aspirational look or lifestyle which are often refered to as ‘goals’. The pressure to conform to these ‘goals’ could leave a young person feeling negatively about themselves and their achievements.

Unfortunately, not all online content is positive and some can have a worrying impact on the digital wellbeing of young people. This content could include upsetting news stories, adult websites like pornography or gambling, discriminatory content or messages or content which promotes self harm or eating disorders. Depending upon the nature of what they have seen sometimes it can be difficult for a young person to reach out for help in understanding what they have seen for fear of judgement or embarrassment.

It is likely that young people may engage with technology and the internet for extended periods of time every day/ week. This extended use of the internet has been reported to leave young people more likely to worry about how long they are spending online and what they have seen. It has also been linked to a sense of loneliness amoungst young people. When it comes to using technology and the internet it all comes down to quality and not quantity, meaning that we should focus on making our use purposeful, and strike a healthy balance between online and offline experiences.

Top tips

Talk about how going online can impact our emotions

Make this a regular habit and try to check-in with young people after they’ve spent time on their devices.

Use wellbeing tools

For example, lots of devices and platforms offer tools to support digital wellbeing. You may also be able to turn off notifications for apps or use ‘mute’ or ‘do not disturb’ modes. Visit the useful links below for more ideas. 

Model healthy behaviour, set boundaries and routines

It is important that young people see adults using technology in a healthy way so model this in your own behaviour. Using a Family Agreement or establishing a clear routine for younger children can also help set clear boundaries about meaningful use of technology.

Sign post to appropriate support

It’s important that young people know who they can turn to for support, whether this is a trusted adult at home or school or by contacting a helpline.

Stay informed

It’s also important that you know what to do or where to go for help if ever your child does need help with something that is worrying or upsetting them online. Visit our help page for parents and carers for more advice, support and reporting routes.

Conversation starters

  1. What do you like to use technology for? How does it help you?
  2. What things make you happy when you use technology?
  3. What things worry you/ make you unhappy/angry/sad when using technology?
  4. What would you do if something online upset you? What advice would you give to someone else in this situation?
  5. How do you think your use of technology impacts your wellbeing? Good or bad?