Written by Claire Sewell, Professional Development Lead at Minds Ahead
From 19–25 May 2025, the TES’ annual global event focused on empowering and protecting students in today’s digital world is happening. Schools around the world may well take this opportunity to focus on fostering a healthy relationship with technology through digital literacy and critical thinking skills. By prioritising mental health education, implementing targeted interventions, and promoting a shared understanding of the online world and the potential pressures to mental wellbeing, we can create a safer digital environment for our children and their mental health.
The online world and advancements in technology have multiple benefits, including;
- Real connections can be made via online chats, messaging apps and social media platforms. This can help to decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Digital technology such as wearable devices and mental health tracking apps allow users to provide information on how they are feeling, their stress levels and other possibly relevant factors. This can then be analysed and used to personalise support, identifying triggers, glimmers and trends.
- Social media is used to bring awareness to mental health issues through digital campaigns and advocacy initiatives. For example, the ‘RunToReconect’ campaign by Adidas which occurred in 2020 wasn’t just about reconnection but that transition back into real life as the pandemic became more understood.
- The digital world offers vast resources for learning, communication, and entertainment. For example, Minds Ahead distance learning courses are delivered online to allow maximum flexibility fo participants.
As with most things, there’s as much good as there is bad and the worldwide web is no different. To support our young people (and adults who have been catapulted into this online world), we need to support understanding and help people to navigate this world safely. In promoting the protective factors that allow safe use of the internet, we are also supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our young people.
But how?
- Enhancing digital literacy is crucial for tapping into the positive potential of the digital world. By providing people with the skills, they need to use the internet confidently and responsibly, we enable them to take full advantage of online opportunities for education, connection, and creative expression.
- By fostering healthy digital habits, you can achieve a balanced lifestyle. In the book Raising Humans in a Digital World (Graber, 2019) offers advice as to how to help digital kids navigate this new environment and helps bemused parents along the way!
- Curate a healthy online environment by ensuring open communication so young people feel able to report inappropriate behaviour they witness / are exposed to, make families aware of how to identify signs of distress and provide appropriate support.
- Train educators to be vigilant and aware of the signs that may indicate a student is being cyberbullied.
- Schools/colleges, families/parents/carers, and the wider community, need to stay involved and stay engaged in the children and young person’s digital life. Set healthy boundaries and guide them toward responsible online behaviour.
Creating a safer digital world for students starts with awareness, support, and communication. To find out more about the Minds Ahead distance learning courses, go to our website or if you want to see what courses would be right for you based on your role, experience and education setting, have a go with our new Minds Ahead Programme Finder.