Oliver Chantler
Today, most people in the UK spend time in online communities, whether that be social media like Facebook or X, video platforms like TikTok or Twitch, or messaging services like WhatsApp and Discord.
Through these communities, many of us form friendships, explore our identities, and connect with our peers in ways previous generations couldn’t have imagined. And the mental health benefits of those connections are undeniable.
But those digital spaces are not always safe. While there are many supportive and uplifting online communities, there are also harmful ones that promote hatred, self-harm, and dangerous misinformation. The mental health impacts of these negative environments can be catastrophic, so it’s essential that each one of us feels well-versed in embracing the good, and avoiding the bad.
This is why, as part of our ‘Community’ theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ve chosen to explore people’s online communities, and suggest what we all – and the government – can do to better navigate an increasingly complex online world.
The risk of online communities
In April 2025, we undertook some polling which painted a concerning picture: most young people (85%) access online communities daily, but nearly 7 in 10 (68%) have encountered harmful or disturbing content while online, including suicide & pro-eating disorder content, racism, misogyny, and bullying.
For those caught in toxic online spaces, the damage can be profound. Hate-fuelled communities deepen feelings of isolation and reinforce destructive ideologies, like the ‘incel’ movement. Exposure to self-harm content can drive vulnerable individuals toward dangerous decisions.
And while supportive online spaces exist, without education on digital literacy and self-protection, young people may not always recognise the difference between helpful and harmful content. This is especially important given that regulation of the online world is still not where it needs to be – something we continue to push for through our advocacy work.
The role of schools: A public health approach
We need to see urgent action from social media platforms and regulators to make online communities safer: but such changes do not appear to be on the horizon. Until they are, education will be critical.
Schools are uniquely positioned to prepare young people for healthy and informed online engagement, just as they already teach about relationships, democracy, and personal well-being. This needs to be built into our education from day one.
Yet, right now, online safety education is failing many students. 10% of young people aged 16-21 report receiving no education on online safety at all, and 58% of those who have feel it wasn’t useful enough. Teachers, too, are struggling - over three quarters of secondary school teachers have reported concerns about the rise of online misogyny. They need better resources and training to help students navigate these challenges.
What needs to change?
We are calling for the government to make urgent reforms. Some of these reforms may only be relevant to England, while others are for the entire UK.
- Online safety must be made a core part of Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education, ensuring all students are supported to develop an understanding of how to navigate online communities safely – and recognise and avoid those that are bad for their mental health.
- The UK government must work with voluntary sector organisations, including those working on mental health and against hatred, to create up-to-date, effective teaching materials that reflect the evolving online landscape.
- The UK government should use the upcoming review of statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex Education and Health Education to advance this issue.
- Platforms must also be held responsible for harmful content through the Online Safety Act, and small, high-risk forums should face the same regulations as larger social media sites.
Online safety tips for everyone
As much as government must help reform education in this area, we all need to be equipped with practical tools to navigate our digital lives. Here are some key tips to ensure online spaces support our mental well-being, rather than harm it.
- Find the right kind of community: Finding online connection around any hobby or interest can help our mental health. But activities we know are particularly good for mental health include spending time in nature, exercise, and creative pursuits. Combining these interests with a healthy online community could protect and improve your mental health.
- Stay mindful of changing spaces: Online communities can change over time and become unhelpful. Some harmless interests can lead to damaging groups, such as holistic wellness communities that drift into conspiracy theories, or groups that support self-growth overlapping with hateful ideologies.
- Curate your digital environment: Think about what you don’t want to interact with. If certain content, creators, or influencers make you feel uncomfortable or undermine your confidence, it’s OK to block, unfollow, or mute them. Protecting your mental well-being comes first.
- Balance online and offline interactions: There’s nothing wrong with communities that are only online, but in-person connection offers advantages too. The sorts of communities that could benefit your mental health the most might span the online and offline worlds, allowing you to enjoy the advantages of both forms of interactions.
- Check in with yourself: How does an online space make you feel? If you’re feeling anxious, angry, or overwhelmed, that community may not be healthy for you. A positive online experience should leave you feeling connected, respected, and accepted.
- Reflect on your motivations: Think about your reasons for wanting to be part of a community. Why do you want to be a part of this space? What do you want to learn or gain from this community? Being intentional about the online communities you participate in helps ensure they positively contribute to your well-being.
Online safety is vital for positive mental health
Mental health doesn’t exist in isolation – it’s shaped by our experiences, relationships, and the environments we engage with daily. And for many of us today, the online world is a central part of that.
If we truly care about safeguarding mental well-being, we cannot ignore the dangers of the digital world. By making online safety education a priority, we give young people the tools to thrive - not just online, but in every aspect of their lives.
And by focusing on our own understanding of the online communities that form a part of our lives, we all stand to improve our mental health.
Stand up for our communities
This Mental Health Awareness Week we’re celebrating the ways that communities protect our mental health. But, our communities are in danger. Recent cuts to welfare are a disaster to the ability of communities to be spaces of safety, care, and support. We must fight for our communities.
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Tips on navigating online communities while supporting your mental health
Positive online communities can support our mental health, as long as we're staying safe online. Read tips from the Mental Health Foundation's Young Leaders.
Tips on how to use online spaces to support our mental health, not harm it
Read our tips on how to ensure online spaces support our mental health and wellbeing, rather than harm it. For schools, parents, adults, and young people.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has been leading Mental Health Awareness Week - bringing the UK together to focus on getting good mental health. This year, the week takes place from 12 to 18 May 2025 and the theme is 'community'.
Find out more