With young people spending more time online than ever before, researchers say now is a critical moment to support teens in building healthier digital habits.
From connecting with friends to completing homework, screen-based devices are a central part of teenage life. While concerns about screen time are widespread, emerging research suggests that it’s not just how much time young people spend online, but how they use that time, that matters most for their mental health and wellbeing.
For Australian teachers supporting student wellbeing, understanding this nuance is essential. That’s why Black Dog Institute, in partnership with the Bupa Foundation, has developed Teens & Screens. This evidence-informed classroom program helps students reflect on their digital habits and take greater control of their online lives.
It’s about how, not just how much
Emerging longitudinal evidence, including from the Future Proofing Study, suggests that time spent online alone is a poor predictor of adolescent mental health. Instead, it is the nature, purpose, and social context of digital activities that more meaningfully shape wellbeing outcomes.
These findings highlight the need for a nuanced approach to supporting adolescents’ online lives. Supporting young people to create small shifts in digital habits, particularly with managing sleep and social pressures, can foster healthier digital behaviours, helping them thrive both online and offline.
A wellbeing resource for schools
Teens & Screens is a free, evidence-informed resource designed to fit easily within busy school schedules. It includes a classroom presentation, facilitator manual, student and parent fact sheets, and a pre-written email to support communication with families.
The lessons promote healthier, more intentional digital habits by encouraging students to consider how screen use can be associated with things like their mood, sleep and social connections. The program is now available for senior secondary students, with resources tailored for Years 7-12.
Supporting parents at home
With mobile phone bans now in place during school hours in most schools, the majority of screen time occurs at home. Parents and carers play a crucial role in continuing the conversation about healthy screen use.
To support this, Black Dog Institute has created a companion flyer offering nine practical, conversation-based strategies for families. These tips are designed to help parents stay engaged, set boundaries and guide their teen through common digital challenges, including cyberbullying, identifying fake or misleading content and managing online friendships.
Digital tools for mental health support
When young people feel low, stressed or overwhelmed for extended periods, it can affect their mental health. Meeting teens where they are with freely available digital tools like ClearlyMe, can be a valuable starting point for support. The app is backed by research and was co-designed with teens, parents and mental health experts at Black Dog Institute.
Based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ClearlyMe helps teens learn practical coping strategies to manage low mood, negative thinking and low motivation. Activities are grouped into nine themed collections that support key wellbeing goals. For example, the ‘Be at your best’ collection includes strategies for improving self-confidence, managing stress and sleeping well.
The app also features quick ‘Mind Hacks’ for in-the-moment relief and suggestions for offline activities that encourage breaks from screens. With mood tracking, real stories from other young people, guided meditations and additional help-seeking resources, ClearlyMe offers a safe, accessible space for teens to take charge of their mental health or with the support of their parents or carers.
Creating a shared responsibility
As the digital world continues to evolve, schools and families must work together to help young people build healthy, informed relationships with technology. Programs like Teens & Screens and tools like ClearlyMe give educators and parents practical, evidence-based ways to support student wellbeing.
By shifting the focus from how much time teens spend online to how they’re using it, educators can play a powerful role in helping students develop the resilience, self-awareness and digital literacy they need to thrive, both online and offline.
Visit https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/students/ for more information.
Reference: Black Dog Institute (2024). Adolescent screen use and mental health: Summary of findings from the Future Proofing Study.
More reading: Why screen habits matter: helping teens navigate the digital world
