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Article in the Belfast Telegraph: 2021
Learning from a young age
Embedding mental health education into schooling is critical says advocate Nick Bracks
The truth is that kids are growing up with technology, and it’s having a huge impact on their mental health. Stock picture posed by model. Credit: Getty Images
Whether it’s rushing off to get to the next thing, keeping up with the Joneses or looking at a screen, there’s a lot of pressure, particularly on young children and adolescents, to perform and keep up with the world. You’re not alone if you think there’s something a bit amiss in society at the moment. Everyone seems to be so busy!
The truth is that kids are growing up with technology, and it’s having a huge impact on their mental health. The nature of life right now is fast paced, with greater pressure on young people to succeed academically, socially and athletically. Plus, with the increased exposure to media and screens, and a tendency to compare themselves with what they see on social media, young people are experiencing higher levels of stress than ever before.
This sets up a falsely idealised ‘reality’ where kids are comparing the behind-the-scenes of their lives with the highlight reel of what’s presented in someone else’s life on social media. And they’re looking at that and wondering, ‘What’s wrong with my life? Why doesn’t mine match up with theirs?’