Tag: schools

WiseUp Launches Groundbreaking Digital Detox Journal For Young People As UK Debates Social Media Safety Policy.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: WiseUp)

WiseUp Team Building, the multi award winning, UK Youth wellbeing and resilience organisation, has launched WiseUp to Switching Off – a guided programme designed to help young people and families build healthier relationships with screens and technology.

This launch comes at a time when children’s digital wellbeing is at the centre of national discussion, with the UK government recently consulting on measures inspired by Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s as part of wider online safety reforms.

With evidence mounting globally – recent World Health Organization data shows that rates of problematic social media behaviour among adolescents increased from 7% to 11% between 2018 and 2022 and that more than one in ten teenagers may struggle to control their use and experience negative consequences such as disrupted sleep and lower wellbeing – WiseUp’s journal is positioned as a practical alternative to purely restrictive approaches.

A significant proportion of young people report a negative impact on mental health from digital and social media use; a UK Digital Youth Index indicates that approximately 17% of young people aged 8–25 say their internet and digital device use harms their mental health, with the prevalence rising among older teens equating to around 2.5 million young people across the UK.

Richard Wise, CEO of WiseUp, said: “We created WiseUp to Switching Off, a digital detox guide, because families, teachers and young people are increasingly telling us they want positive and practical tools – not more tech bans – to make sense of their digital lives. Screens are now woven into education friendships and culture but when usage becomes compulsive it can undermine sleep focus and emotional wellbeing. Our journal helps young people become aware of their patterns reflect on their experiences and make incremental sustainable changes.”

He continued: “Screens themselves aren’t the problem – but the way they pull young people in can be. When scrolling becomes a coping mechanism, when anxiety, loneliness or pressure drive screen use the impact on wellbeing can be profound. WiseUp to Switching Off exists to break that cycle. It gives young people permission to pause, space to breathe and the tools to reconnect with themselves and the world around them — while empowering schools and parents to put wellbeing back at the centre of everyday life.”

(image: Izzy Park: Unsplash)

The WiseUp to Switching Off digital journal combines evidence-based education about technology and the brain, practical habit-building tools, daily reflection prompts and offline challenges designed to improve focus sleep and connection with others. It is intended for use both at home and in educational settings complementing Personal Social Health and Economic (PSHE) learning.

Parents and wellbeing leads in schools have reported that the journal has helped young people reduce conflict over screens. It has also improved sleep routines and helped them rediscover offline interests, reinforcing WiseUp’s belief that self-directed change (rather than coercive restriction) is both sustainable and empowering.

WiseUp encourages parents, teachers, practitioners and policymakers to explore the journal and join the ongoing effort to support a balanced digital future for young people. To download your free copy visit the WiseUp website.

(image: WiseUp)

Suicide Prevention Lessons In UK Secondary Schools- Congratulations 3 Dads Walking!

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Robinson/Tim Owen/Mike Palmer/Andy Airey)

With everything going on in the world today, some stories can get missed in the flurry of competing news. However, when I saw a post by the Oli Leigh Trust, a charity in my community dedicated to suicide prevention, that suicide prevention lessons are going to be made compulsory in secondary schools, I was so happy. Department for Education (DfE) announced on Tuesday that lessons discussing suicide prevention would be compulsory in secondary schools from September 2026.

Growing up, when I had my own issues with depression and suicidal ideation as part of my bipolar disorder, mental health was not spoken about openly in schools. We know that sadly, the suicide rate in the UK and worldwide has been rising. A group of Dads, Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen, 3 Dads Walking, who lost their daughters Sophie, Beth and Emily to suicide came together to campaign to Sir Keir Starmer and the UK government. Heres what they told the BBC,

‘Lives will be saved. Our Voices have finally been heard. ‘ He said the trio began campaigning shortly after their first walk to raise awareness in 2021 and admitted it had at times felt “like we were swimming through treacle uphill”, but now their “voices have been heard”.

“We have covered a lot of ground, literally and figuratively, over the last few years, but to come to a point where a significant change is going to happen still feels quite unreal. I’m stunned.”

“We are really proud of what we have achieved.”

Suicide is the biggest killer of under 35’s in the UK. In their first walk, they raised nearly 1 million pounds for Papyrus charity. In their second, they walked to all 4 UK parliaments to ensure every child was taught the skills to cope with suicidal thoughts. They then met with MPs to discuss how suicide prevention could be embedded in the curriculum.

“If this is the biggest killer of our young people, why aren’t we talking about it?”

So today I say thank you and congratulations to Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen- three courageous men spreading light and goodness in memory of their beloved daughters. Suicide prevention is so sadly needed.

For more on 3 Dads Walking please visit their website here: https://www.3dadswalking.uk/

Please note: This is not a sponsored post, I have been inspired by the heroism of these 3 Dads.

Mental Health Care In Schools Resources- with Twinkl

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Kenny Eliason, Unsplash)

I am delighted to be collaborating with Twinkl on their mental health resources for children in schools.

Twinkl say , ‘We must recognise the need to improve understanding of children’s mental health. A person’s mental health is determined by a complex cocktail of different factors interacting. Some of these factors come from a person’s biology, while others come from external factors. Further complicating things, young children don’t always have a full understanding of why they feel they way they do. They can also be reluctant to talk about it, which only adds to the challenge if you’re a teacher trying to support good mental health care at your school. Ultimately, though, if you have concerns that one of your students is struggling with something related to mental health, you should report your concerns to the appropriate authority.’

Twinkl creates resources for teachers and their students, to provide excellent mental health education. This includes resources such as a morning physical and mental health check in, mental health discussion cards, mindfulness colouring pages, and the emotions iceberg to help children understand their feelings.

(image: Twinkl)

Sometimes children come to school unable to express their emotions or what is going on at home. That’s why its so important for teachers to use these tools to help children at school.

Click here to look at the amazing resources and read this blog by Twinkl.

This is an unpaid collaboration with Twinkl.