Supporting digital resilience: embedding "Maddie is Online" in SCPHN school nurse education.

Martzoukou, Konstantina; Allan, Elaine; Hayward, Melanie

Abstract

In an increasingly digital world, children and young people (CYP) navigate both opportunities and risks online. While digital platforms provide valuable spaces for learning, communication and socialisation, they also expose CYP to potential harms, including online exploitation, misinformation, cyberbullying and digital addiction. The pervasive nature of digital technology means that the boundaries between online and offline worlds are becoming increasingly blurred, making it essential for CYP to develop the skills and resilience needed to navigate these spaces safely. Ensuring CYP's digital safety is becoming a growing concern in Europe, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (2024). It is an area requiring urgent interventions for positive societal impact. School nurses, as specialist community public health nurses, play a crucial role in supporting CYP to develop digital resilience and safely engage in online spaces. Their role extends beyond traditional health promotion to encompass the digital wellbeing of CYP. By fostering digital literacy and resilience, school nurses can help CYP recognise and mitigate online risks, promote healthy digital habits and empower them to make informed decisions in their digital interactions. Integrating digital resilience education into the SCPHN curriculum is essential to prepare future school nurses to address the digital challenges faced by CYP. This article explores the "Maddie is Online" initiative, an innovative educational resource co-created with young people, which serves as a model for how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can integrate digital literacy education into school nurse education, ultimately enhancing the capacity of school nurses to support the digital wellbeing of CYP.

Citation

MARTZOUKOU, K., ALLAN, E. and HAYWARD, M. 2025. Supporting digital resilience: embedding "Maddie is Online" in SCPHN school nurse education. Journal of family and child health [online], 2(4), pages 196-197. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12968/jfch.2025.2.4.200

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 18, 2025
• Online Publication Date: May 26, 2025
• Publication Date: Apr 2, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 4, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 3, 2025
• Journal: Journal of family and child health
• Print ISSN: 3049-5210
• Electronic ISSN: 3049-5229
• Publisher: Mark Allen Group (MAG)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 196-197
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/jfch.2025.2.4.200
• Keywords: School nursing; School nurse education; Online safety; Digital literacy
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2872526