NAVIGATING EDUCATION AND WELLBEING IN THE DIGITAL AGE POLICY BRIEF
MAKING EVERY SCHOOL A HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL The places where children and adolescents learn, play, and socialise are increasingly shifting to the digital space. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transition, pushing more aspects of our lives online. As a result, technology is increasingly woven into the fabric of both learning and leisure, shaping how children and young people grow and engage with the world around them. When safe, online platforms can offer valuable opportunities for creativity, connection, and education. Children and adolescents can be empowered to express themselves, strengthen relationships with their peers, and access knowledge like never before. Unsafe online platforms, however, can have a detrimental effect, exposing children and adolescents to harmful content such as cyberbullying, violence, and unrealistic or unhealthy lifestyles.1 Trends in Europe show that excessive use of social media is on the rise, from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022, highlighting an increase in harmful digital behaviours.2 Prolonged screen time, often driven by highly stimulating platform design and content, can impair cognitive, linguistic, physical, and social development. It has been linked to shorter attention spans, sleep disruption, increased risk of obesity and mental health conditions, as well as a decline in real-life interaction and social skills, like managing conflict and discomfort.3 Moreover, issues faced online may also spill over into offline environments where children and youth typically gather, such as schools. Research shows, for instance, that there are clear links between cyberbullying and difficulties such as lower school attendance, poor academic performance, and even health complaints.4