Empowering Youth to Balance Digital Life and Mental Well-being Through Community Engagement

📍 Duhok, Iraq – February 23, 2025 | University of Duhok Media

UOD, University Press Office UNPO | As part of its commitment to student-centered community engagement and mental health advocacy, the University of Duhok (UOD), through its College of Nursing, conducted an awareness-building workshop titled “Social Media Addiction: Awareness and Balance” for 11th-grade students at Mazi High School in Duhok. Held on February 23, 2025, the session addressed the growing psychological and academic challenges youth face due to excessive social media use in today’s hyper-connected world.

Led by a team of faculty experts from UOD, the workshop drew enthusiastic participation from dozens of high school students eager to understand the impact of social media on their mental health, academic performance, social habits, and personal growth. The initiative is part of UOD’s broader mission to promote well-being, digital literacy, and youth empowerment within the Kurdistan Region.

Workshop Objectives and Key Components

The workshop was divided into two core segments:

🔹 Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Mental and Academic Health
Students explored how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat affect emotional well-being and focus. While positive aspects—like staying connected and accessing educational content—were acknowledged, facilitators also addressed critical risks such as:

• Cyberbullying
   
• Unrealistic social comparison
   
• Reduced attention span
   
• Social media dependency
   

Through real-life case studies, psychological research, and student testimonials, the session cultivated deeper awareness of both the potential and the pitfalls of social media use.

🔹 Practical Tools for Digital Balance
The second part introduced hands-on strategies to help students build healthier digital habits, including:

• Setting personal screen time limits
   
• Practicing mindful scrolling and content selection
   
• Prioritizing academics and face-to-face interaction
   
• Recognizing early signs of digital burnout
   

The facilitators encouraged students to reflect on their usage habits, share personal experiences, and propose their own action plans for healthier tech engagement.

Guided by Expert Faculty Leadership

The workshop was delivered by seasoned faculty from UOD’s College of Nursing:

• Dr. Rasoul Sabri Piro
   
• Ms. Diana Aprem Kako
   
• Ms. Kawther Zubair Mala
   
• Ms. Bahar MohammedSalih Ismail
   
• Mr. Salem Said Aziz
   

Their guidance helped frame the session within the broader context of public health, psychology, and youth development—key pillars of UOD’s Strategic Plan 2023–2038, which includes outreach programs that integrate higher education with community well-being.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Digital Wellness Education in Kurdistan

By empowering students with tools for responsible digital citizenship, this event serves as a foundation for more extensive programs on mental health, digital detox strategies, and life skills education in schools throughout the region. UOD remains dedicated to fostering a generation of learners who are resilient, digitally aware, and mentally prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.

Watch highlights from the event

📌 University of Duhok Media |April 15, 2025
📝 Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali, Berin Saadullah Ibrahim
 

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