As someone who grew up in the ’90s, I was part of the first generation to really explore the internet. Back then, there wasn’t much we could do given how basic it was, but we were exposed to the first “chat rooms,” and I remember having conversations with my family about boundaries when it came to internet use. Our giant computer lived in the family room, where we didn’t have unsupervised access to this whole new world at our fingertips.

Fast forward to today, and our children are being raised in a world dominated by the internet, with constant access to social media, online communities, and the rapidly emerging world of AI. These technologies offer opportunities we never experienced in our own childhoods, but they also introduce new challenges, and, in some situations, risks to our children’s mental and physical well-being. So, how do we find the balance between allowing our children to benefit from technology while also helping them stay safe and what are some common issues we are seeing in the mental health field that are a direct result of this topic?

Here are four key ways the digital world can affect children and youth’s mental health:

1. Social Comparison & Self-Esteem
   As adults, we understand that constant exposure to carefully curated images, lifestyles, and highlight reels can lead us to compare ourselves to others. While this can impact an adult’s self-esteem, body image, and sense of belonging, the effects can be even more significant for a young, developing mind that is still learning to understand identity, self-worth, and where they fit in the world.
2. Increased Anxiety & Overwhelm
   Online drama, pressure to respond, constant notifications, and exposure to upsetting or inappropriate content can contribute to increased stress and anxiety in children and youth. Unlike the stressors of our own childhoods, today’s young people can feel like they are never truly able to disconnect, making it harder to switch off, decompress, and protect their mental well-being. .
3. Sleep & Emotional Regulation
   Research has shown that excessive screen use, particularly in the hours before bedtime, can interfere with healthy sleep routines. When someone of any age consistently experiences poor sleep, it can affect mood, concentration, emotional regulation, and overall mental well-being, and for children and youth, healthy sleep is especially important for their developing minds and bodies.
4. Cyberbullying & Online Pressure
   Bullying and social pressures no longer end when a child leaves school. Hurtful comments, exclusion, rumours, and group chats can follow young people home, making it difficult to disconnect and feel safe. What children and youth say or do online can also be recorded, shared, and circulated far beyond its original audience, potentially causing significant emotional distress and, in serious cases, contributing to depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts or behaviours.

Another area of increasing concern is the use of AI when it comes to mental health. As AI becomes more accessible, children and youth are, in some cases, turning to chatbots or other AI tools to understand their symptoms, seek a diagnosis, or look for advice about their mental health.

While AI can be a useful tool for finding general information, it cannot replace a qualified healthcare professional who can consider a child’s individual circumstances, ask the right questions, recognize warning signs, and provide appropriate treatment. Relying on AI for diagnosis or treatment can lead to misinformation, missed symptoms, inappropriate advice, or delays in getting the professional support a young person may need.

How Can We Help Keep Our Children Safe Online? 

1. Set Healthy Boundaries
   Establish age-appropriate screen limits, screen-free times, and technology-free spaces, especially around bedtime, to help protect healthy sleep routines and give children and youth time to disconnect, recharge, and rest.
2. Stay Connected & Talk Openly
   Regularly ask about what your children are seeing and experiencing online, and create an environment where they feel comfortable coming to you when something doesn’t feel right. Listen without judgment or an immediate, extreme reaction, creating a safe space where your child knows they can talk to you without being afraid of your response.
3. Teach Digital & AI Literacy
   Help children understand that social media doesn’t show the full picture and that information, including information from AI, can be inaccurate or misleading.
4. Watch for Changes & Seek Support
   Pay attention to changes in mood, sleep, behaviour, friendships, or activities they once enjoyed. When concerns arise, connect them with trusted adults and qualified mental health professionals rather than relying solely on online resources or AI.

Final thoughts:
The answer may not be eliminating technology, but rather creating healthy boundaries, staying involved, having open conversations, and teaching our children how to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. As a parent though, don’t be afraid to set clear boundaries, even if that means limiting or banning certain websites, apps, or devices in your home. Your children may push back, but parenting often means having difficult conversations and making decisions that may not always be popular in the moment.

If you’re concerned about your child or youth, you don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Our trained mental health professionals are here to support people of all ages.

If your child has experienced bullying, harassment, or been victimized online, consider reporting the incident to your local police service and connecting with your local victim services organization for guidance and support.