Dr Marc Bush discusses the benefits and risks of digital connectivity for young people. While social media can offer social and emotional benefits, it also increases the risk of harm, though young people may not recognize these risks. In response, most platforms have added safety features. To build resilience, experts must work with schools, charities, governments, and companies to educate young people on risks and develop their digital skills. Evaluating a youth mental health campaign, Dr Bush found proactive and pro-social engagement by young people led to greater empowerment and improved outcomes than passive activities. Peer support can prevent issues and create shared experiences that benefit mental health.

1. Dr Marc Bush
Chief Policy Advisor
YoungMinds (UK)
Digital resilience and peer support
@marc_bush
@YoungMindsUK

2. #NoHarmDone
#NoHarmDone

4. Digital risk and resilience
! Young people consistently say that the digital world offers positive social and
emotional benefits.
! Digital connectivity can lead to an additional risk of experiencing social, physical,
psychological or emotional harm, although these challenges are not always
recognised by young people themselves.
! In response to greater awareness of these risks, most social media platforms have
introduced blocking, private view, and reporting functions.
! In addition to raising awareness about online risks and increasing online protection,
we need to support young people to build their own digital skills and resilience, so
they can navigate online worlds for themselves.
! To build children’s digital resilience we need to bring together the expertise of
industry, schools, the charity sector, domestic Government and the EU.

5. Emerging Trends
» The shallow Dark Web
» Wider distribution of digital footprints
» Web-enabled gaming platforms

6. " Started in 2013 as a national and local campaign series.
" Campaigning was a platform for young people to address the pressures that
contribute to poor mental health.
" All elements were designed and led by young people - from creative concept to
evaluation and analysis of outcomes.
" The national team was re-shaped to reflect young people’s recommendations and
projects beyond the core programme and funding were initiated by regional
activists.
" Priorities were determined by 5,000 young people via online and through
community workshops.
" Over 3000 activists were continually involved in the campaigns and many more
through social media.

7. " We investigated the passive, pro-active and pro-social campaign actions to
evaluate their impact on young people’s outcomes. We found that:
" Young people engaging in pro-active or pro-social activities scored
5.5 times higher in ratings for ‘improved mental health outcomes’
and ‘empowerment’, than their peer who engaged in passive activities.
" Overall 3 in 5 young people engaged in pro-social actions that were
beyond those facilitated by adults.
The evaluation

8. " Peer support can be used as a preventative and
promotion mechanism.
" Peer support creates a commonality of experiences and
improves mental health outcomes.
" It has informed our principles of participation: a.
addressing the whole system, b. builds resilience, c.
includes marginalised children and young people.
What we learnt

9. Any Questions?