28/10/2026
There are so many digital wellbeing tools, apps and forums online these days. It can be hard to work out what's helpful for you – and what isn't.
Spending a lot of time online can lead to:
- comparing yourself to others
- increased feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood
- difficulty sleeping or getting good quality sleep
- feeling lonely or isolated
- seeing triggering content
- feeling overwhelmed
The internet can bring a lot of positives into someone's life like community, hobbies and special interests, useful information and much more. However, it can also come with negative effects on mental health and sometimes, in ways we don't expect.
One way we can manage how the internet affects us is by creating a balance of being online and offline:
- set aside regular breaks or activities you enjoy and can do offline
- prioritise your sleep and eating well
- spend time with people offline, like friends and family
- if you know being online can be triggering or cause problems for your mental health, seeking support offline can be helpful
- check in with yourself regularly about how being online is making you feel, if it starts to feel bad, step away from the internet and/or limit how much you use it
There are lots of helpful tips and information you can explore about balancing your time online and managing your mental health with internet use. Follow this link to explore Mind's tips: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/looking-after-your-mental-health-online/
