Dr Marc Bush Chief Policy AdvisorYoungMinds (UK)

Digital resilience and peer support

@marc_bush @YoungMindsUK

#NoHarmDone

#NoHarmDone

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.

Emerging Trends

» The shallow Dark Web

» Wider distribution of digital footprints

» Web-enabled gaming platforms

" 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.

" 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

" 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

Any Questions?