Safe and responsible internet use in a connected world: Promoting cyber-wellness

Lewin, C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3430-4075, Niederhauser, D, Johnson, Q, Saito, T, Sakamoto, A and Sherman, R (2021) Safe and responsible internet use in a connected world: Promoting cyber-wellness. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 47 (4). pp. 1-17.

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Abstract

Cyber-wellness concerns positive wellbeing in online spaces, including awareness of how to behave appropriately and protect oneself. In this paper the complex nature of cyber-wellness, focusing on four key aspects, is explained and illustrated. Firstly, developing students’ information and media literacy skills is essential for promoting cyber-wellbeing. Such skills are also required for supporting democratic participation. Secondly, the threats and challenges to young people’s cyber-wellbeing are identified and discussed, arguing for the need to develop digital resilience. Thirdly, the role of policy at macro-, meso-, and micro-levels are discussed and how policy and educational practitioners can promote cyber-wellness awareness, knowledge and strategies. This paper provides a review of the limited scholarship on cyber-wellness education and highlights the need to address this gap in the future. This article concludes with consideration of the issues faced and opportunities for overcoming these issues. It is imperative that further work is undertaken on the conceptualization of cyber-wellness and that concensus is developed. There are issues relating to the continual rapid development of techologies and their uses; it is important to develop a shared understanding of the mutual relationship between technology and humans. Finally, there is a lack of guidance and good practice exemplars for cyber-wellness education.