Fact Sheet: Online Safety

Social Media & Online Wellbeing

Social media is a big part of everyday life for many young people. It can be a great way to connect with others, learn new things, and express who you are. At the same time, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, distracting, or draining. Finding a balance and understanding how to stay safe online can help you feel more in control of your digital world.

The Impact of Social Media

Social media can affect how we see ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. When you are constantly scrolling through updates, photos, and opinions, it’s easy to fall into comparison or feel pressure to keep up.

It’s important to remember that:

• What you see online is often a highlight reel, not real life

• People may present themselves differently online

• Your worth is not defined by likes, comments, or followers

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Taking Breaks & Setting Boundaries

You might notice that after long periods of scrolling, you feel low, distracted, or overwhelmed.

You are in control of how much time you spend online. Taking small steps can help, such as:

• Setting time limits for apps

• Having screen-free time during your day

• Paying attention to how different platforms make you feel

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Giving yourself permission to step away is an important part of looking after your wellbeing.

Sleep & Screen Time

Using your phone late at night can make it harder for your brain to switch off. The blue light from screens can affect your sleep, leaving you feeling more tired the next day.

Simple changes like avoiding screens before bed, using night mode, or charging your phone away from your bed can help improve your rest.

Staying Safe Online

Social media connects us with lots of people, but not everyone online will have good intentions. Protecting your personal information and being mindful of who you interact with are key ways to stay safe.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts, blocking, reporting, or talking to someone you trust can help you feel more supported.

Think Before You Post

Once something is shared online it can be difficult to control where it ends up and can also have a very negative impact later in your life. Taking a moment to think before posting or sending a message can help you make safer choices.

You might ask yourself:

• Am I comfortable with others seeing this?

• Could this affect me in the future?

 

Social Media & Responsibility

What happens online still matters in the real world. There can be consequences for sharing certain types of content, and behaviours like bullying or harassment are taken seriously. Respecting other people’s privacy and asking for consent before sharing content is an important part of being responsible online.

AI, Misinformation & Trust

It can sometimes be hard to know what is real and what isn’t online. Images, videos, and information can be edited, created using AI, or taken out of context.

To stay informed:

• Question what you see

• Check where information comes from

• Look at more than one source before sharing

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Mental Health & Online Experiences

Social media can affect mental health in different ways. It can influence how you feel about your body, create pressure to fit in, or lead to a fear of missing out.

It’s also worth remembering that social media is designed to keep your attention. Features like endless scrolling and notifications can make it hard to switch off, this isn’t your fault, it’s how platforms are built.

Online vs Real-Life Connection

Online relationships can be meaningful, but they are different from in-person connections. Spending time offline, where possible, can help build deeper and more supportive relationships and create a healthier balance.

Getting Support

If social media is starting to feel overwhelming or difficult to manage, it’s important to reach out. Talking to someone you trust can really help, and you don’t have to deal with things on your own.

Youthline counselling can offer a safe, confidential space to talk through how social media is affecting you and support you in finding ways to feel more in control and improve your wellbeing.