The advent of social media has profoundly transformed how young individuals establish connections and cultivate their identities. However, a growing body of evidence suggests a correlation between social media use and an escalating youth mental health crisis. While platforms offer superficial “wellbeing” tools, these often exemplify a form of “technological solutionism” that places the burden of care on the individual user, failing to address the systemic issues at play.

This design project extends beyond the screen to investigate the entire support ecosystem surrounding young people. This inquiry was grounded in systems thinking and extensive research, including expert interviews with partners such as Aye Mind (NHSGGC). The research identified a critical systemic failure: a “supporter confidence gap.” Parents, teachers, and youth workers frequently report a lack of skills necessary to facilitate constructive dialogues concerning digital life. This deficiency can result in a perceived disconnection between these entities and the young individuals they seek to assist.

In response, this project has developed a service design intervention as an engagement toolkit. The toolkit includes engagement cards, emotion maps, and a template for an insights report. It empowers supporters to facilitate safe, creative, and youth-led conversations. By rectifying this defective feedback loop, the project establishes a sustainable model for generating authentic youth insights, empowering expert organisations to develop more effective, evidence-based resources for wellbeing.