Online Communities & Mental Health: What’s the Impact

For many of the young people we support at MACS, online spaces are their community.

It’s where they talk to friends, follow creators they relate to, explore who they are, and feel part of something, sometimes for the first time. In a world that can feel chaotic or lonely, being online can be a lifeline. These spaces offer connection, humour, identity, inspiration and that can have a powerful, positive impact on mental health.

But not all online spaces are safe. And when things go wrong, the damage can run deep.

Most young people in the UK access online communities every single day. But almost 7 in 10 have encountered content that’s harmful or disturbing. That includes suicide and self-harm material, pro-eating disorder messages, bullying, racism, and misogyny.

Some of the young people we work with have told us they stumbled across this content when they were already feeling low. Others said they joined groups that seemed supportive at first, but quickly turned into something darker, full of pressure and shame.

When you’re vulnerable, these spaces can be hard to escape. They don’t just damage self-esteem, they reinforce isolation and make it harder to ask for help.

Knowing what’s safe and what’s not

The truth is, many young people don’t always know which online spaces are helping them and which are quietly hurting them. Without support, it’s easy to normalise content that chips away at mental health.

That’s why it’s so important to talk about this. Because every young person deserves to feel confident managing their digital world and choosing what to let in.

We often ask the young people at MACS: “How does this space make you feel?”
If the answer is anxious, overwhelmed, or less-than – it’s time to step back.

The best online communities are kind, respectful, inclusive, and real. They don’t push shame or comparison. They listen. They care. They support.

And they remind you that you’re not alone.

Practical ways to protect your space

• Curate your feed – unfollow or block anything that makes you feel small or unsafe.
• Check in with yourself – how does scrolling make you feel today?
• Balance online and offline time – both kinds of connection matter.
• Stay mindful – just because a space was helpful, doesn’t mean it always will be.
• Be intentional -ask yourself why you’re joining a group, and what you want from it.
• You deserve spaces that support your growth – not pull you backwards.

Community is everything

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re thinking about community  and how it shows up in unexpected places. At MACS, we see every day how strong, safe relationships can transform lives. That doesn’t just happen in supported housing or wellbeing sessions,  it happens on screens, in group chats, on TikTok, in Discord servers.

Wherever young people are, we need to meet them there. With honesty. With care. And with tools to help them choose community that truly supports them.

Because when young people feel safe, connected and accepted  online and off they can start to believe in themselves again.