As concerns grow about the impact of social media and the use of smart phones on young people’s mental health, The Skills Network, one of the largest online education providers in the UK, has announced the timely launch of a selection of short courses.
The launch, which coincides with World Mental Health Day (10th October), highlights the critical need for tutors to be equipped with resources to support the holistic development of their students.
Focusing on enrichment with impact for 16-19-year-olds, the courses are complemented by The Skills Network’s new Curriculum Solutions Builder tool, specifically designed to support providers delivering to 16-19-year-olds. The wide selection of short courses covers crucial topics such as staying safe online, recognising online propaganda and the principles of online safety. In addition, wellbeing courses on mental health awareness, including understanding stress and anxiety, are now available.
The short courses address the challenges educators face in creating engaging and effective learning experiences by providing time-efficient solutions with both the student and tutor in mind.
Liam Sammon, Executive Director of Education Services and Innovation at The Skills Network, said: “Young people today spend a significant amount of time online, creating a growing concern around the impact this is having on their mental wellbeing.
“In recent months, we’ve seen some education settings opting to ban mobile phones from their premises demonstrating the rising recognition of the potential effects of technology on young minds, something that is crucial to address through the education of digital wellbeing practices.
“Therefore, we are incredibly pleased to launch this range of high-quality short courses, focusing on key subjects such as digital wellbeing and mental health awareness.
“We believe that by equipping young people with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can empower them to navigate the online world safely and responsibly, helping to tackle some of the social issues that can arise from social media platforms, while delivering this in a positive and productive learning environment.”
To find out more about the support available, please visit here: bit.ly/16-19followup.
