Looking after your self-ie: A guide to finding your balance on and offline

In 2018, RSPH launched the first Scroll Free September campaign – the world’s first large-scale campaign aimed at encouraging people to have a healthier and more meaningful relationship with social media. The campaign was a huge success, with an estimated 300,000 people taking part internationally and significant traction from the world’s press. 

Building on the research undertaken for the RSPH Status of Mind and New Filters reports, RSPH has developed a free, open access Online Learning course Looking after your self-ie: A guide to finding your balance on and offline, which aims to help social media users to build a meaningful, more balanced relationship with platforms. The programme focusses on awareness-raising; encouraging meaningful use by educating users on the potential harms and benefits of social media.

Looking after your self-ie explores social media’s impact on the following topics:

  • Loneliness and relationships
  • Self-image and self-esteem
  • Sleep
  • Online bullying

This course is relevant to members of the public of all ages.

How to access the course

The course is accessible through RSPH Learn, our LMS platform. In order to access the platform you must first set up an account for My RSPH, or login if you are already registered. Once you are logged in to My RSPH you can enrol on the course through the course catalogue in the RSPH Learn section. This course is available to purchase with CPD for £25.

We have a range of free online courses available through RSPH Learn.

Content reviewers

We have worked with a number of subject-matter experts in developing this e-learning programme. Thank you to the content reviewers listed below for their contributions. 

1. Sleep

Dr Anna Weighall, Researcher in Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Sheffield

Dr Anna Weighall is a developmental psychologist investigating the relationships between sleep, memory, learning and cognitive development; and the consequences of poor sleep for academic outcomes, daytime functioning, mental health and wellbeing. Anna also serves on the executive committee of the the British Sleep Society.

The Children’s Sleep Charity

The Children’s Sleep Charity is a national, award-winning charity supporting children with sleep issues. The charity provide support for families and accredited training for professionals and commercial organisations. 

2. Loneliness and relationships

Dr Rebecca Nowland, Research Fellow, University of Central Lancashire

Dr Rebecca Nowland is a Research Fellow working in the Child and Family Health Research Group within the School of Nursing. Her current research centres on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with a particular interest in the influence of peer relationships and loneliness on physical and mental health and social cognition. Rebecca had an article published on The Conversation in October 2018 entitled ‘Social media: is it really to blame for young people being lonelier than any other age group?’

3. Self-image and Self-esteem

Professor Philippa Diedrichs, Professor of Psychology and Body Image Expert, University of the West of England

Professor Phillippa Diedrichs is an applied research psychologist with an international reputation for developing and evaluating evidence-based strategies to improve body image in community, education, corporate, and policy settings on a global scale. She has co-created body image interventions that have been delivered through trail-blazing industry and community partnerships to over 20 million young people across 142 countries. Phillippa has authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. Her research has received international media attention in outlets such as the New York Times and the BBC, and is featured in teaching case studies at Harvard's Business School and T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

4. Bullying

Dr Anke Görzig, Senior lecturer in Psychology, University of West London

Dr Anke Görzig is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of West London and member of the EU Kids Online network’s UK team at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Anke’s research interests focus around children's risks and opportunities on the internet with an emphasis on cyberbullying and disadvantaged groups as well as cross-national comparisons. She is co-editor of Children, Risk and Safety on the Internet (2012, Policy Press) and has authored as well as co-authored several peer reviewed journal articlesbook chapters and reports.

Paul Hanmore, Anti-Bullying Training Manager, The Diana Award

Paul is the Anti-Bullying Training Manager for The Diana Award. For over 6 years he has delivered training events UK wide and internationally, involving young people and staff in building Anti-Bullying campaigns for their schools. He now leads a designated team to engage more schools and youth organisations in anti-bullying work. He has a background in Key Stage 2 teaching, Mental Health early intervention work, Youth Justice supervision and support work for LGBT+ young people.