Digital well-being and psychological health are increasingly intertwined in today's digital age.

Digital well-being and psychological health are increasingly intertwined in today's digital age.

Hanging out in digital spaces is the norm for folks in the UK today, from social media like Facebook and X, video platforms like TikTok and Twitch, to messaging services such as WhatsApp and Discord. These platforms serve as virtual towns where we build connections, explore identities, and engage with our peers – things previous generations never dreamed of.

The mental health benefits of these digital friendships are undeniable, yet these online spaces aren't always safe havens. Fortunately, not all digital neighborhoods foster hatred, self-harm, or dangerous misinfo. But for those unlucky enough to stumble upon a toxic community, the consequences can be devastating.

In 2025, a poll showed that 85% of young people in the UK access online communities daily, yet, nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of them have encountered harmful or disturbing content at some point – including suicidal and pro-eating disorder content, racism, bigotry, and bullying.1

For those trapped in toxic online communities, the effects can be profound. These communities only deepen feelings of isolation and reinforce destructive ideologies like the infamous 'incel' movement. Exposure to self-harm content can drive vulnerable individuals to make foolish decisions.

Fortunately, supportive online spaces do exist. Nevertheless, without digital literacy training, young people may not be able to recognize the difference between helpful and harmful content. Education plays a vital role in safeguarding our youngsters from the darker corners of the digital world.

Schools can prepare students for safe and smart online engagement – just as they already teach about relationships, democratic processes, and self-care. Unfortunately, online safety education is currently failing many students. Around 10% of young people aged 16-21 report receiving no education on online safety whatsoever, and 58% of those who have received such education believe it wasn't effective enough.1 Teachers require better resources and training to help students navigate these challenges.

What needs to change?

We are urging the government to make urgent reforms. Some of these reforms are relevant only to England, while others are for the entire UK.

• Online safety should be a core part of Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education, ensuring students acquire a solid understanding of navigating online communities safely without experiencing negative consequences for their mental health.
• The UK government should collaborate with volunteers in sectors like mental health and hate-prevention organizations to create up-to-date and effective teaching materials that cater to our evolving digital landscape.
• The UK government should use the forthcoming review of statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex Education, and Health Education to further this issue's importance.
• Platforms should be held accountable for harmful content through the Online Safety Act, and small, high-risk forums should face the same regulations as their larger counterparts.

Navigating Online Communities for Better Mental Health

As much as government intervention is needed, we all must be well-equipped to navigate our digital lives. Here are some key tips to ensure online spaces support our mental well-being instead of harming it:

1. Discover supportive communities: Connecting with others online over shared interests like nature, exercise, and creative pursuits can boost our mental health. Combining these interests with a supportive online community may benefit your mental health.
2. Stay alert to shifting communities: Online communities can evolve, and some safe spaces may turn into negative ones. Look out for holistic wellness communities that dabble in conspiracy theories or self-growth communities that overlap with toxic ideologies.
3. Personalize your digital environment: Your well-being matters most, so if particular content, creators, or influencers make you feel uncomfortable or insecure, it's okay to block, unfollow, or mute them.
4. Balancing online and offline interactions: While online communities are valuable, in-person interactions offer unique advantages too. Seek out communities that span both virtual and in-person environments, reaping the benefits of both.
5. Check in with yourself: Reflect on how an online space makes you feel. If you feel anxious, angry, or overwhelmed, that community may not be a healthy fit for you. Positive online experiences should leave you feeling connected, respected, and accepted.
6. Understand your motivations: Consider why you want to be part of a specific online community. This mindfulness helps ensure you participate in spaces that contribute positively to your well-being.

Online safety is critical for mental well-being, especially since many of us experience mental health issues in the digital world. By making online safety education a priority, we're giving young people the tools to thrive, not just online, but in every aspect of their lives.

1. The mental health foundation emphasizes the importance of supportive online communities, as they can boost mental health and wellbeing for many individuals.
2. In a poll conducted in 2025, it was revealed that 85% of young people in the UK access online communities daily, yet, a significant portion of them have encountered harmful or disturbing content, highlighting the need for digital literacy training.
3. To improve digital literacy and safeguard young people from negative online experiences, schools should incorporate resources on health-and-wellness, mental-health, learning, education-and-self-development, and social-media into their curriculum.
4. In addition, the mental health foundation advocates for the government to collaborate with volunteers in sectors like mental health and hate-prevention organizations to create up-to-date resources that cater to the evolving digital landscape.
5. Platforms should be held accountable for harmful content through the Online Safety Act, and small, high-risk forums should face the same regulations as their larger counterparts to maintain a safe and supportive environment for all users.
6. To foster a positive online experience, individuals should be mindful of their motivations for joining certain communities and pay attention to how those spaces make them feel. Seek out communities that leave them feeling connected, respected, and accepted.
7. By adopting these measures, we can ensure that our digital communities support our mental well-being rather than harm it, promoting overall health and wellness in our lifestyles and entertainment choices.

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