May is Mental Health Awareness Month — an important moment to highlight the connection between a healthy, balanced digital life and positive mental health in young people.
We all know that young people spend lots of time connecting with friends and engaging with digital content on social media, gaming platforms, and turning to AI-powered bots for information, advice, and even companionship. Those digital experiences shape their mood, behaviors, and how they see themselves and the world. So any conversation about youth mental health must include the impact of their unique but connected digital lives.
In 2026, the concept of digital wellness — or the conscious, balanced use of media that aligns with an individuals’ goals for their health and well-being— has started to become more mainstream. Educators, parents, healthcare clinicians, and policymakers are increasingly looking to promote digital wellness skills like media literacy, healthy screen habits, and online safety.
We asked a number of experts working to improve youth mental health to weigh in on their perspectives on how digital media, media literacy, and supportive environments can strengthen young people’s well-being. This is what they shared —
“Today’s students are the first generation growing up in a mostly digital world, and this requires us to equip them with education that reflects the world they’re growing up in. My message to young people would be to take advantage of digital media literacy education and focus on balance and setting personal guardrails of how you want to interact with digital media.” – Carson Domey, Executive Director – Coalition for Student Wellbeing
“We know that communication about media use between trusted adults and young people is so important, and regular conversations with tweens and teens are a critical protective factor for youth wellbeing. Making decisions together, and having conversations rather than lectures is important.” – Nicole Owings-Fonner, MA, PMP, Director, American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
“We believe a secure and affirming digital environment is foundational to whole-child development and mental wellness. Media literacy is a form of protection– when young people are taught to question what they see, who created it, and whose interests it serves, we give them something– a skill–no algorithm can take away. Also it’s essential to make sure children encounter content that reflects who they are and not distorted, diminished, or absent versions of themselves.” – Dr. Leah Austin, President and CEO, National Black Child Development Institute
“Like many young people, I tend to use technology as a crutch to avoid boredom, FOMO, or uncomfortable voids, but I’ve realized that idleness–not looking at my phone– is a good thing. I’ve found that it’s actually in those idle moments that I’m able to really process my emotions or experiences, reflect on my day, and think things through more slowly. That gives me agency over my attention, my time, and what I let into my life, and that’s been helpful to my mental health.” – Elise Choi, High School Student
A healthy digital life and good health in real life go hand in hand. Our digital wellness work aims to expand the understanding of media literacy to include digital wellness and ensure K-12 health education includes media literacy education. Learn more.
Are you an educator looking to incorporate media literacy and digital wellness into your classroom instruction? Check out our database of instructional materials on topics like digital citizenship and online safety, how to find credible information to make informed decisions, and the impact social media use. Browse our resource library.
If you’re a parent, our resource library has tools for you, too! You can also advocate for media literacy and digital wellness in your community’s schools using our Advocacy Toolkit for Parents & Individuals. It outlines the need for media literacy education and provides ideas, activities, and resources to help you get started.
