For many of the learners we support, getting online is a powerful milestone. It creates access to jobs, education, healthcare, services, and connection. But digital inclusion is not just about helping people connect to the internet. It is also about helping them develop healthy, informed, and responsible relationships with technology once they are online.
That is why conversations about social media use, misinformation, and digital well-being are becoming more important to digital literacy work.
Common experiences people describe today are falling into a “scroll hole” and “doomscrolling.” What starts as a quick check of social media or the news can quickly become extended periods of passive scrolling that leave people feeling anxious, distracted, emotionally drained, or overwhelmed.
Research from Harvard Health Publishing describes doomscrolling as the repeated consumption of negative or distressing online content, often driven by algorithms that continuously feed users emotionally engaging material. Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged and returning frequently, which can make it difficult to disengage once scrolling begins.
The connection between social media and mental health
The impact of social media on mental health is now difficult to ignore, especially for younger users.
Research highlighted by the American Psychological Association and other health organizations has linked excessive and passive social media use with increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as well as low self-esteem. Concerns around suicidal ideation among teens and young adults have also intensified as researchers study the effects of constant comparison with others, online pressure, and algorithm-driven content consumption.
Platforms centered around influencer culture and curated lifestyles can create unrealistic expectations about success, appearance, relationships, and happiness. For many users, especially young people still developing their sense of identity, constant exposure to these messages can negatively affect emotional well-being and self-worth.
This conversation feels especially important during Mental Health Awareness Month. Resources from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) emphasize that mental health is part of everyday life and that early support, compassionate conversations, and stronger community awareness can make a meaningful difference, especially for children and young adults.
Building the muscles for good digital citizenship
At digitalLIFT, these issues connect directly to the goals of our Internet Safety & Responsibility curriculum. Teaching internet safety today is about far more than passwords and phishing scams. It also includes helping learners understand how online environments affect attention, emotions, behavior, and decision-making.
Teaching mindfulness online is really about building the muscles for good digital citizenship.
That means helping learners:
- Recognize when they are falling into passive or compulsive scrolling
- Understand how algorithms influence what they see online
- Identify misinformation and pause before sharing content
- Notice how certain content affects their mood or mental health
- Develop positive habits around screen time and social media use
These are essential skills for navigating today’s digital world safely and responsibly.
Slowing down the spread of misinformation
Social media moves quickly, and many platforms are designed to encourage immediate reactions. But reacting quickly often leaves little time to evaluate whether something is accurate, trustworthy, or potentially harmful.
Misinformation is not always malicious. It frequently spreads not because people intend harm, but because they are trying to help, warn others, or stay engaged in conversations happening around them. As AI-generated content becomes more common, it is also becoming harder to tell whether images, videos, articles, or even audio clips are authentic, making critical thinking and source verification more important than ever.
One simple and effective approach comes from Pause Take 9, which encourages users to pause and take a few seconds before liking, sharing, or commenting on content. That brief moment creates space to ask important questions: Is this true? Where did it come from? Am I sharing this responsibly?
Helping learners build that habit strengthens critical thinking and reinforces the idea that responsible participation online matters just as much as access itself.
What mindful engagement looks like
A mindful approach to social media does not mean avoiding technology or disconnecting entirely. It means engaging with digital spaces intentionally rather than automatically.
Sometimes referred to as “mindful scrolling,” this approach encourages users to stay aware of why they are online, how long they are spending there, and how content is affecting them emotionally.
Some healthy habits include:
- Opening apps with a specific purpose in mind
- Setting limits around screen time
- Turning off non-essential notifications
- Taking breaks after consuming distressing content
- Following creators and organizations that provide meaningful value rather than constant comparison or outrage
According to Harvard Health Publishing, taking breaks and setting boundaries around content consumption can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. The goal is not to avoid information but engage with it in a way that allows time to process and reset.
Digital inclusion should support well-being
Technology should create opportunity, connection, and empowerment. But without guidance and support, it can also contribute to stress, misinformation, isolation, and unhealthy habits. That is why digital literacy must include conversations about mental health, attention, misinformation, and mindful engagement online.
Digital inclusion is not complete when someone simply gains internet access. It is complete when they have the skills and confidence to engage online safely, critically, responsibly, and in ways that support their overall well-being.
Partner with digitalLIFT
Building healthy digital habits starts with education. digitalLIFT partners with nonprofits, libraries, schools, healthcare organizations, and community groups to help learners build the skills to engage online safely, responsibly, and confidently.If your organization is interested in bringing Internet Safety & Responsibility training to your community, complete this partner form.
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