Young people today are growing up in a world where being online is simply part of everyday life. From staying in touch with friends to relaxing, learning, and expressing themselves, the digital world brings real benefits. But it also comes with challenges.

A recent NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Barnardo’s youth engagement project set out to better understand how children and young people (aged 12-26) experience the online world and how it impacts their mental health and wellbeing. You can read the full report here, including information on methods and safeguarding measures that were followed.

By listening directly to children and young people across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the project gives us a valuable insight into what’s working, what isn’t, and what we could all be doing to better support children and young people.

The good news: being online is mostly positive

The majority of young people report feeling safe, happy, and connected when they’re online. Young people reported using digital spaces to do the following:

• Chat with friends and family (88%)
• Relax or have fun (75%)
• Pass the time when bored (67%)

The most popular platforms that young people used were:

• TikTok (64%)
• Snapchat (63%)
• WhatsApp (56%)

But there are real worries too

While experiences are often positive, young people are also clear about the risks they face.

The biggest concerns are:

• Personal information being shared without their knowledge (38%)
• Pressure and risks around sharing ‘nude’ images (30%)
• Scams and being tricked online (22%)
• Seeing fake or misleading information (19.6%)
• Worrying what other people think about me (19.6%)
• Harmful/upsetting content (19.6%)
• Social media and its effects on people (16%)

There’s a clear skills gap

Although young people are confident users of technology, many told us they lack practical digital skills in key areas.

The biggest challenge for children and young people was managing their time online (44%). Other difficulties include:

• Spotting fake news (24%)
• Keeping personal information safe (20%)
• Knowing what to do if something upsets them (14%)
• Understanding algorithms (13%)

To help feel safe and confident online, what they told us they wanted wasn’t more general advice that they need to stay safe. Instead, they want simple, practical “how-to” guidance.

This includes things like:

• How to block or report someone
• How to use privacy settings
• What to do and who to turn to if they feel upset or unsafe

Support starts with people they trust

When something goes wrong online, most young people turn to their parents, carers, or friends.

But who they turn to changes with age:

• Younger children are more likely to go to their families
• Older young people tend to rely on friends

One finding of real concern is that 17% of young people said they wouldn’t talk to anyone at all. This highlights the need for safe, non-judgmental, and accessible ways to seek support, including anonymous options.

Different experiences for different groups

The engagement project also highlights important differences in how the young people who responded experience the online world.

• Girls were three times more likely to feel pressure around appearance and comparison online
• Older young people were more likely to take risks (such as meeting online contacts), but also more aware of screen time concerns

What builds trust in online mental health support?

When it comes to accessing support online (such as apps, websites, and chatbots), young people told us what is important to them:

• Privacy and data protection (71%)
• Being from a trusted source (67%)
• Free and easy to use (57%)
• Created with health professionals (56%)
• Easy to explore before committing (45%)

They also expressed a strong preference for:

• Being able to explore something independently first (61.6%)
• Clear explanations of how a service works (38.4%)
• A conversation about how it can help them specifically (31.2%)
• Being given a few options, including in-person support (18%)

Key takeaways

• Young people taking part shared that the online world is mostly a positive space for them
• Privacy is the single most important issue and concern
• There is a gap between children and young people’s technology use and knowing how to stay safe
• Support starts with trusted relationships, but not everyone feels able to reach out
• One-size-fits-all approaches won’t work; age and experience matter

What can staff working with children and young people do?

There are clear, practical steps we can take to support young people to stay safe and well online:

Focus on practical skills

• Show young people how to use privacy settings, blocking, and reporting tools
• Use real platforms and step-by-step demonstrations where possible

Prioritise privacy and trust

• Be clear about how online information is used and shared
• Recognise that privacy concerns may stop young people from engaging with digital mental health supports

Tailor support to age

• With younger children: work closely with parents and carers
• With older young people: support peer conversations and independent learning

Make support visible and easy to access

• Signpost to trusted tools and supports
• Use simple, youth-friendly language and formats (e.g. short videos, guides)

Create safe, non-judgemental spaces

• Encourage open conversations about online experiences, using our Digital Wellbeing Conversation Starters Toolkit as a guide
• Avoid blame or overreaction, which can stop young people from speaking up
• Be aware of what supports are available for a range of online harms, using our Online Harms – Useful Websites, Helplines, and Reporting Mechanisms as a guide

Reach those who might not ask for help

• Be aware that some young people won’t disclose distress
• Include anonymous or low-pressure supports as options for children and young people when seeking help

You can download an infographic version of these findings here.