Opinion: 5 Things Students Need in Order to Stay Safe and Healthy on Social Media

Each year, on the second Tuesday of February, people around the world mark Safer Internet Day — a global initiative created to promote safer, more responsible and more positive use of digital technology. At a time when debates about youth online safety dominate headlines and hearing rooms, the day is an opportunity for educators, parents, policymakers and tech leaders to pause and listen to those most affected: young people.

This is especially important for LGBTQ+ young people. For many of them, the internet is both a risk and a lifeline. It can expose them to harassment, bullying and harmful content. It is also often the first place where they discover language to describe who they are, see people like themselves reflected positively or find peers who accept and affirm them — particularly if their school or community does not.

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According to the Human Rights Campaign, virtually all (95%) LGBTQ+ youth have used the internet to find information that helps them better understand their identity. The Trevor Project’s most recent national survey found that nearly 4 out of 5 LGBTQ+ young people go online because connecting with others in daily life is hard and they feel they can be their complete selves online.

Research consistently shows this dual reality: In another Trevor Project study, an overwhelming majority of LGBTQ+ youth said social media has both positive (96%) and negative (88%) impacts on their mental health and well-being. Importantly, LGBTQ+ young people who feel safe and understood in at least one online space reported 20% lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year and 15% lower odds of recent anxiety, particularly among LGBTQ+ youth of color. In other words, access to affirming online communities is not a distraction from well-being or learning; it can be a protective factor.

Schools, in particular, sometimes struggle to define their role in students’ online lives. But for young people, the boundary between virtual and real life is porous, if it exists at all. Trivializing or ignoring what happens online, both good and bad, misses real opportunities to help young people learn how to engage with one another and the world they are a part of. As native users and early adopters of these technologies, young people have powerful ideas about what tools they need and which protections may actually be helpful.

Safer online experiences do not happen by accident. They are shaped every day by the choices young people make, the guidance adults provide, the policies institutions adopt and the tools platforms design. As a youth mental health advocate and former visiting fellow at the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy, I have heard a wide range of viewpoints. Yet, when drawing on extensive research, policy roundtables with youth, observations from LGBTQ+ online platform TrevorSpace and conversations with LGBTQ+ young people, five themes consistently emerge about what they and the people who support them can do to help themselves stay safer and healthier online.

First: Seek out moderated, affirming communities.

Young people say that online spaces with active moderation (not mindless censorship), clear expectations for behavior and visible respect for diverse identities feel meaningfully safer. These include forums, chat rooms and platforms where harassment is addressed quickly and consistently, while discussions are allowed to flourish. When moderation is taken seriously, young people are more likely to participate, connect and seek support. Schools and adults in a

position to influence youth can reinforce this by treating online community-building as a legitimate part of young people’s lives, not something to dismiss or discourage.

Second: Use safety tools, and know when to ask for help.

Blocking, muting, filtering keywords and resetting algorithms are concrete steps young people can take to reduce exposure to harmful content. But online safety tools are not just technical. Knowing when something feels wrong, how to report abuse and who to turn to offline matters just as much. Schools play a key role here: Treating online harassment with the same seriousness as in-person bullying and clearly explaining reporting options can make a real difference. Parents and caregivers can reinforce this by keeping lines of communication open and judgment-free.

Third: Set boundaries and respect limits.

The internet never sleeps, but young people need rest, food, movement and offline connection to thrive. It’s crucial to set personal boundaries around screen time and take breaks from triggering content. These habits are especially important during periods of high stress, such as exams or college applications, or when current events can overwhelm social media feeds with misinformation or politically motivated cruelty. These boundaries are often easier to maintain with support from friends, families and educators who can provide alternative opportunities for connection and stress relief.

Fourth: Protect privacy, especially around sensitive information.

Young people should be careful what information they share online, including basics like names or locations, as well as sensitive disclosures with chatbots about mental or sexual health. As artificial intelligence-powered tools become more common in schools and daily life, young people need clear guidance about what information is protected by privacy laws and what is not. Schools and parents should help students understand these distinctions, while directing them to services with strong confidentiality protections, such as licensed counselors, therapists, The Trevor Project, or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Fifth: Check in with yourself.

Students should ask themselves simple questions: Do online activities bring you joy or make you feel drained? Are you laughing or connecting — or just scrolling? Positive online experiences can include finding community and creative expression, learning new things, relaxing or enjoying media that represents their lives and identities in a positive light. Negative online experiences can include doomscrolling, going down rabbit holes or encountering disturbing or upsetting content. Especially recently, with so much hurtful or violent content going around, it’s okay to log off for a while.

These recommendations are not just for young people. Parents, educators, technology companies and policymakers all share responsibility for creating safer digital environments by teaching digital literacy, strengthening critical thinking skills and ensuring clearer protections around privacy.

As debates about online safety continue, it is tempting to focus only on risks and worst-case scenarios, or to feel like there’s nothing that can be done until more laws are on the books. But safer online experiences are built every day through fostering choice, balance, compassion and empowerment. On Safer Internet Day and every day, the most effective place to start is simple: Listen to young people and act on what they are saying.