As part of our ongoing work to safeguard children and support their wellbeing, we held an interactive session with Amit Kalley, exploring how life online affects young people today. The aim was to help students think about their digital habits, understand the impact of social media and gaming, and learn practical ways to stay safe, balanced, and focused. 

How the Online World Shapes Young People 

Children discussed how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube use algorithms to personalise what they see. This can sometimes create pressure, especially when influencers promote unrealistic lifestyles or appearance ideals. By understanding how these systems work, students are better equipped to make informed choices and recognise when online content is influencing their emotions or selfesteem. 

Devices, Gaming, and School Life 

We also explored the connection between devices and daily routines. Many students shared how late-night screen use can impact their sleep, making it harder to get up in the morning and stay focused at school. Gaming can be positive and enjoyable, but when it becomes excessive, it can affect mood, motivation, and academic performance. The aim was not to discourage technology use, but to help students identify when their habits may be becoming unhealthy. 

Building Healthy Digital Habits 

Students learned simple, practical strategies they can use straight away: 

• Setting screentime limits or turning on “downtime” features 

• Charging devices outside the bedroom at night 

• Taking regular breaks from gaming and social media 

These small changes can make a big difference to sleep, concentration, and overall wellbeing. 

Positive Online Communication 

Finally, we talked about how to communicate safely and respectfully online. This included knowing when to step away from unkind conversations, how to set personal boundaries, and why protecting their digital footprint is so important for future opportunities.