Why Schools Should Prioritize Digital Wellness in 2025: A Mental Health Professional’s Perspective on the Cyber Civics Health & Wellness Series

As a mental health professional, I’ve witnessed firsthand how today’s digital world profoundly shapes the emotional well-being of young people. Students today are navigating far more than academics—they’re juggling the pressures of social media, the complexities of digital relationships, and the constant presence of screens in nearly every aspect of their lives.

That’s why Cyber Civics’ Health & Wellness Series is not just timely—it’s essential.

In my work with adolescents, I see the effects of our hyper-connected culture every day: the anxiety that arises from social comparison, the overwhelm of 24/7 notifications, the blurred boundaries between online and offline identity, and the fatigue that comes from never truly “logging off.” These challenges are real, and they’re showing up in classrooms, counseling offices, and even at home.

Too often, schools are left trying to react to crises—when what students really need is a foundation of proactive education that equips them with the tools to thrive emotionally, socially, and digitally. That’s where the Health & Wellness Series comes in.

This series was created to address the growing need for emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and digital wellness education in schools. It doesn’t just touch on these concepts—it dives into the real-world mental health challenges students face every day:

• Managing anxiety in an always-on culture

• Building and maintaining healthy relationships, both online and offline

• Recognizing digital burnout and understanding how to rest and recharge

• Practicing empathy in digital communication

• Setting boundaries in a tech-saturated environment

These are not just personal development skills—they are essential life skills. Skills that directly impact how students engage in the classroom, how they interact with peers and teachers, and how they make decisions in high-pressure digital spaces. When students learn how to regulate their emotions, advocate for themselves, and reflect critically on their digital habits, they don’t just become better students—they become healthier humans.

We believe that just as students are taught to read and write, they must also be taught how to maintain emotional balance, how to build real relationships, and how to care for their mental health—especially in a digital age that often works against those very things. This is foundational to long-term resilience.

As educators and school leaders look ahead to the 2025 school year, I urge you to consider what’s truly needed in today’s learning environments. Yes, academic rigor matters. But so does emotional literacy. So does digital wellness. So does the ability to pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully in a world that too often demands instant reaction.

Cyber Civics understands this intersection deeply. Their curriculum is grounded in both developmental science and practical classroom experience. It’s easy for educators to implement, aligned with national standards, and built for the realities of today’s schools. And the Health & Wellness Series extends that work even further by supporting school counselors, teachers, and administrators with ready-to-use lessons that speak to students’ lived experiences.

When schools actively teach health and wellness through the lens of digital literacy and emotional intelligence, students become more than just tech-savvy. They become self-aware. They become grounded. They become capable of navigating the world—both online and off—with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

In 2025, we owe it to students to move beyond reactive approaches to student wellness. Let’s equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to thrive in a digital age. The Cyber Civics Health & Wellness Series is more than a curriculum—it’s a roadmap for raising emotionally intelligent, digitally wise young people.

Let’s meet students where they are—and guide them toward who they can become.

Author: Connor Cohen, LMSW

Connor joined the Cyber Civics team in 2023 with experience in both social work and marketing. In 2020 he earned his LMSW in Texas where he worked as a therapist in a private practice. He made the switch from direct practice to marketing and worked with therapists to help market the profession and practice. Connor now works for Cyber Civics and Cyberwise. After earning his Bachelors in English, Political Science and Counseling from the University of North Texas, he went on to receive his Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Continuing his studies, he earned a certificate in Digital Marketing from the University of Texas in 2022. He resides in Houston, TX with his fiancee and dog Leia. Connor feels that his role at Cyberwise and Cybercivics is the perfect place to make the much needed changes that help promote the mission of increasing digital literacy and online safety.