Social media, mental wellbeing and online safety in the Bratislava Region

The programme brought together secondary school students in Bratislava (22 September) and Senec (1 October) for events focused on the theme ’Digital World – Real Consequences.’

The discussions addressed challenges that young people face daily, including the pressure of social media, the gap between online representation and reality, the importance of critical thinking, responsibility for one’s words, and the boundaries between humour and harmful behaviour.

Students engaged in discussions with Juraj Droba, President of the Bratislava Region,  stand-up comedian Tomáš Hudák and musician Tomáš “bedña” Šrámek. Together, they explored the challenges of living in the public eye, where people are often represented by a photograph, a short video or just a few words shared on social media.

Social media, communication and mental wellbeing

The discussions addressed key questions such as: How do social media platforms shape our perception of ourselves? Where does humour end and hurtful behaviour begin? And how much weight do words carry in the public sphere? Participants reflected on the impact of social media on mental health, the role of communication and disinformation, and the importance of critical thinking in the society. The conversations were particularly engaging because many students openly shared their own experiences with social media and online communication.

Students highlighted how difficult it can be to know how to help a friend who is struggling with hateful content online. They also shared positive experiences. One student described how he could support a friend experiencing depression through online conversations when he could not be there in person.  

Humour, criticism and the impact of words

One of the key topics was the boundary of humour. When is a joke still just a joke, and when does it become degrading or hurtful? Can public figures laugh at themselves? The discussion also touched on how to distinguish legitimate criticism from personal attacks and why words shared online often have a greater impact than we realise at the moment they are posted.

Tomáš Hudák’s closing message highlighted how words shared online can have a lasting effect, even when they take only a moment to post.

As highlighted by Juraj Droba: ’European cooperation is not only about major projects, EU funds, or official documents. It is also about meeting people, talking, and learning to listen to one another. Young people, in particular, should have the opportunity to speak about the world in which they will live. Today, the digital environment is a natural part of that world. It offers enormous opportunities, but also brings new challenges. That is why it is important to verify information, think critically about what we share, and at the same time maintain our own independent opinions.’

Practical advice for a safer online experience

The celebrations continued on 6 October in Bratislava with the event "Trust, but Verify: Practical Advice for a Safer Everyday Life", aimed at clients of Social Services Homes. Participants received practical guidance on recognising and avoiding fraud, scam phone calls and deceptive SMS messages.

The session also highlighted the importance of approaching the internet with curiosity while checking suspicious information before acting on it and asking someone trusted for help when in doubt.

The three events brought together   young people and other community members to discuss digital challenges, share experiences and explore ways to communicate more responsibly and stay safe online. . Organised as part of the Interreg Cooperation Day 2026 under the theme ‘Stronger together’, the activities created opportunities for dialogue around issues that affect everyday life.