Safer Internet Day: Protecting Our Mental Health Online

While often a useful tool, the internet can cause any number of worries in modern life. For example, experts continue to contend with concerns about mental health concerning internet usage. A wide range of factors can play into the internet’s impact on mental health, but communities can fight against the fallout with education. While not specifically developed to address mental health, Safer Internet Day may be an effective avenue for educating the public on safer ways to interact with the online world. 

The origins of Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day came into being thanks to an initiative by EU Safe Borders and was expanded by the Insafe Network of Awareness Centers. The day was conceived as a project to help the public better understand how to protect their space and interact positively with the internet. In 2012, the United States joined Safer Internet Day and amplified the event worldwide. 

The good, bad, and the ugly of the online world

Because the internet is a tool, it is only as beneficial or harmful as its use. However, few human beings were prepared for the repercussions of constant and global connection. The internet offers us a vast range of information that would have been unfathomable for previous generations, making life easier and richer in many ways and for many people. 

Despite its benefits, unlimited access comes with its own problems. The information available is seldom regulated, and people are often not educated about how to research. For this reason, they may struggle to filter the truth from the lies. Online, everyone has access, so deeply problematic information is spread, and illegal activity can become rampant. Finally, because the worst of human nature is on display 24/7, mental health can be negatively impacted by those who do not navigate the internet healthily.  

How the internet can impact mental health

Internet use can negatively impact mental health in multiple ways, from echo chambers to polarization to burnout. 

Social isolation

Unprecedentedly, society has restructured in the past couple of decades. In many societies, including individualistic societies, people once interacted with each other in person the majority of the time. Today, due to social media, many people participate in a more low-quality but high-volume form of connectivity. Constantly scrolling through social media platforms, people may have the sense they’re interacting with others. However, this type of socialization is often not fulfilling. Because individuals can stay in continuous connection online, they may experience social burnout without the benefits of genuine socialization. 

Pushing extremism

The polarization of social groups through segmentation in social media has led to the formation of echo chambers worldwide. With less in-person interaction, fewer people spend time with those outside these echo chambers who might challenge their ideas. This separation of community can lead to more extremist views and less “civility” among interactions. People don’t see facial expressions or body language when responding to others online and often receive no immediate pushback or social disapproval for their actions. Therefore, trolling and angry or nihilistic posts have become widespread. 

Problematic content

Problematic content is another challenge online. Due to minimal regulation, the internet continues to be a space where individuals and groups can post extremely violent, sexual, and otherwise extremely harmful content. Greater numbers than ever before in human history have access to this content at their fingertips at any time, often feeding into already disordered thinking or behavior. 

How companies cash out on emotions

Corporations can make vast amounts of income by monetizing people's worst instincts. Online advertising is constant, and many advertisers are willing to do whatever it takes to get eyeballs on their content. Research shows that negative emotions elicit more reactions than positive ones. Fear and outrage sell, so negative content often drives engagement. Thus, a flood of negative news and information is released continually to keep people’s eyes on screens and trap them in rage feedback loops. Being bombarded with negativity in this way can lead to poor mental health outcomes, including anxiety and depression. 

Who is at the greatest risk of repercussions online? 

The people most at risk for the repercussions of the more problematic aspects of the internet may be those who are least digitally literate: the younger and older generations. A certain segment of the population grew up with this technology and had online safety drilled into them from a young age, namely younger Gen Xers through Millennials. 

Baby Boomers became quick targets for scammers and misinformation drives, as they were unfamiliar with what online technology was capable of. For adolescents today, being online is ubiquitous, and while they may be hyper-aware of scams, they can be more susceptible to online socialization and social isolation. Children too, are now more socialized on screens and may watch videos more than previous generations of children, exposing them to earlier advertising and less mental resilience to boredom. Young people can experience lower self-esteem due to constant comparison with online influencers, and online bullying makes it easier than ever to hurt others without personal blowback. 

How safer internet day can help improve mental health in children and young adults 

The challenges of internet use that impact mental health may be addressed at least partly through learning to use the technology responsibly. Safer Internet Day committees spread awareness of safety issues and seek to promote a better internet for all. These awareness-raising events encourage a global effort to:

• Promote digital kindness
• Enhance collaboration
• Build digital resilience

What you can do to promote Safer Internet Day this February 

Individuals and groups are participating in Safer Internet activities taking place all over the world this February. You can find resources and events from Safer Internet Centres by visiting Safer Internet USA, the official website of Safer Internet Day in the United States. In addition, consider the following tips. 

Look at your own internet habits

You may start with yourself before trying to change others. On Safer Internet Day, examine how you interact with the internet. Set aside times to intentionally disconnect from social media feeds and avoid doom scrolling. In addition, you might make a pact with yourself to change your internet habits, such as by avoiding screens before bedtime. 

Talk to your children and young family members who may be at risk 

Parents can talk to their children about internet safety and share tips for disengaging from online drama. When talking to your child, explain why it’s important to balance online vs. offline time rather than only enforcing rules for internet use. Talk to your child about online bullying and take the time to listen to their own experiences. By starting an open dialogue about this issue, your teen may be more willing to bring their own questions and experiences to you in the future. 

Spread the word about Safer Internet Day in February  

Check out resources available from Safer Internet USA to share with your larger community. Teachers and educators especially can be excellent ambassadors of online safety for their students. You can also post resources on your own socials using the hashtag #SaferInternetDay. 

Find safe mental health support in online therapy

Talk to a therapist

Using the internet to promote mental health

Exploring the challenges of internet use can seem “doom and gloom,” but the World Wide Web is a tool. The internet offers benefits as well as challenges, depending on how it’s used. Even though problematic online use can lead to mental health challenges, the Internet has opened the doors to greater accessibility in mental healthcare. 

Online therapy has allowed individuals more access to mental health care than at any time in the past. Even people living in low-population areas without mental health professionals can meet with a wide range of providers in any number of specializations. In addition, research shows that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy in treating mental health disorders. 

Online providers like BetterHelp allow you to meet with therapists, even if you lack access to in-person therapy due to location or because it seems impossible to fit into a busy schedule. You can get matched with a licensed professional by simply taking a few minutes to complete an online questionnaire. If your therapist is not a match for you, you can change therapists at any time for no fee. 

Takeaway 

Safer Internet Day can offer an opportunity to look at how you interact with the online world. If you believe you may have an unhealthy attachment to the internet, you may also try to change your habits for the better by making positive changes to your social media schedule. If change is challenging on your own, you can also seek help from a therapist and take advantage of one of the benefits of the online revolution: greater access to online therapy.