As the horizons of the digital landscape continue to expand, young people are growing up in a world which would have been unrecognisable even 10 years ago.
The ability to instantly connect with peers, access entertainment, be creative and gather information are just a few of the myriad of advantages which the digital age provides. (We’ve also heard there are some amazing mental health apps out there 👀).
Unfortunately, the online world also poses harms, both hidden and overt, that young people would never have to face offline. The Nominet Youth Wellbeing Index 2022* found that while 94% of young people feel safe online, 83% had encountered something online that they found upsetting (this ranges from fake news to being exposed to distressing content).
And yet, young people are repeatedly criticised for how they interact online, with banning phone use being routinely suggested as the only solution for safeguarding young people’s mental health online.
It is a bit more complicated than that…
Young people deserve to be given the opportunity to speak openly about their online lives, with parents, teachers or other trusted adults, and to be empowered to develop skills that will equip them to have healthy lives on and offline.
At a recent stem4 student conference, we asked a group of students if social media has an impact on their mental health.
👉85% agreed that their mood is negatively impacted by their digital habits but none of them wanted to or felt able to stop scrolling.
👉They wanted to know more about how to best take control of their online lives.
#stem4YMHD 2024
In response to this, stem4 has chosen to dedicate Youth Mental Health Day 2024 to the theme #ControlYourScroll, so that we can equip young people with the simple digital hacks and mental health strategies needed for a positive and safe online experience.
We are inviting young people to join us in co-creating an “Online Youth Manifesto”, so you can shape your online and offline world to be what you want it to be, and to also create a positive world for everyone else.
On September 19th, let’s champion #stem4YMHD. Join us in spreading the #ControlYourScroll message, so that young people can thrive both on and offline.
Find out more about stem4 YMHD HERE.
