Advice for young people:

It is important for all of us to stay connected to our friends, family and the community, even though we are being told to ‘socially distance’ ourselves.

If young people feel socially disconnected it can lead to low self-esteem, reduced trust in others, and feelings of loneliness, sadness and not belonging.

The good news is that young people are used to connecting with others without seeing them face-to-face, such as through social media, video calls, apps, messaging and online gaming.

Research shows that social media is very important in helping young people feel connected to their friends and others.

Its continued use is particularly important during times of physical isolation like we’re experiencing now.

But we also need to stay aware of the risks of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For instance, it is easy to spread false news on social media, so we need to pay attention only to official sources of information, like the Australian Government.

Likewise, look after your friends by not sharing information that is from an unreliable source.

It’s also important to remember that it’s typical to experience feelings of uncertainty, fear and worry during the pandemic.

But we can unnecessarily make these feelings worse if we’re exposed to too much bad news on social media.

Once you have all the information you need to stay safe and well, it’s time to switch off from coronavirus news and do something enjoyable, like chatting to your friends or playing a game with your family.

If you’re worried or unsure about information you’ve seen on social media, make sure you discuss it with a trusted adult.

When we’re smart about how we use social media, it can help us ensure we and our friends are not alone which is really important for positive mental health and wellbeing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr Larisa is post-doctoral research fellow at USC’s Thompson Institute and an expert in the effects of cyberbullying and social media on mental wellbeing.