Protecting Young Minds in the Digital Age
Following our Clinical Director Dr. Elizabeth Lee’s recent appearance on ITV News Central for Safer Internet Day 2025, we wanted to elaborate on her important message about children’s mental wellbeing in today’s digital landscape. During her interview, Dr. Lee provided valuable guidance on recognising signs of online distress in young people—including anxiety, mood changes, and social withdrawal—which often stem from negative digital experiences. As the online world presents growing challenges from sophisticated scams to targeted cyberattacks, Dr. Lee emphasised the critical role that both education and parental awareness play in safeguarding children’s mental health. In this article, we’ll explore strategies that parents, educators, and caregivers can employ to identify concerning behaviours, establish healthy digital boundaries, and foster open communication with young people about their online experiences.
Understanding Online Scams
Staying safe from scams on the Internet is increasingly important, particularly for children and young adults. Research indicates that a significant number of young people encounter scams regularly, with almost half of surveyed children reporting they have been victims of online fraud. Alarmingly, 9% of these individuals, some as young as eight, have lost money due to scams. This trend underscores the need for effective education on online safety, particularly as it relates to the annual observance of Safer Internet Day.
Identifying Scam Threats
Young individuals often face threats from online scams, which can take many forms. One concerning trend is financial sextortion, which predominantly targets teenage boys. These scams typically begin with a seemingly innocent online relationship that escalates to the exchange of intimate images, followed by requests for money. The involvement of international criminal gangs in these schemes emphasises the urgent need for awareness and preventive education.
Educational Initiatives
Schools play a crucial role in equipping students with the knowledge to recognise and respond to online scams. In classroom settings, discussions focus on identifying red flags, such as offers that seem too good to be true. Students are taught practical skills, including what steps to take if approached by an online stranger. For instance, they learn to ask probing questions and remain cautious about sharing personal information, including images or location data.
Psychological Impact of Scams
The psychological consequences of falling victim to online scams can be profound. Signs of distress may manifest as increased anxiety, mood swings, or withdrawal from family and social activities. Mental health professionals, such as psychologists, emphasise the importance of recognising these behavioural changes in children, which may indicate they are struggling with the aftermath of a scam.
Community Involvement and Awareness
Incorporating discussions about online safety into the broader community is vital. The curriculum should extend beyond the classroom to involve parents and family members, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their technological proficiency, are informed about online dangers. By fostering a community-wide understanding of internet safety, the goal is to create a safer digital environment for everyone, particularly the younger generation.
Conclusion
Educating young people about online scams not only benefits them but also empowers their families to navigate the digital landscape more safely. As the prevalence of online threats continues to rise, it is imperative that we prioritise internet safety education in schools and communities alike.
Further Reading/Viewing:
- Primary Safety Online (BBC Teach): https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/topics/cp440njz78zt
- Online Safety: Health, wellbeing and lifestyle (BBC Teach): https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/topics/c8vv58jqnd9t
- BBC Teach finds online safety issues growing among primary school children: https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/bbc-teach-primary-school-online-safety-live-lesson
- To ban or not to ban? Social media and children’s online safety in the spotlight (DJS Research): https://www.djsresearch.co.uk/knowledge/article/To-ban-or-not-to-ban-Social-media-and-childrens-online-safety-in-the-spotlight
- An Introduction to Mental Health & Wellbeing (The National College): https://nationalcollege.com/webinars/an-introduction-to-mental-health-wellbeing
- Smartphones, Online Safety & Children’s Mental Health in Schools (NipInTheBud.org): https://nipinthebud.org/films-for-teachers-professionals/smartphones-online-safety-childrens-mental-health-in-schools/
- Safer Internet Day 2025 (Children’s Commissioner): https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news-and-blogs/safer-internet-day-2025/
- ‘A tsunami of need’: Children’s mental health at an all time low (ITV News): https://www.itv.com/watch/news/a-tsunami-of-need-childrens-mental-health-at-an-all-time-low/3jdlqyl
- Safer Internet Day 2025 (Safe Online website): https://safeonline.global/financing-a-safe-digital-future-safer-internet-day-2025/
- Ad of the Day: Britain Get Talking says mental health hardest subject for school children (thedrum.com): https://www.thedrum.com/news/2023/09/25/ad-the-day-britain-get-talking-campaign-says-mental-health-the-hardest-subject
