Screens are now part of nearly every task teachers do. From lesson planning and marking to online platforms and resource sharing, most of the day is spent using technology. While digital tools have brought many benefits to the classroom, they have also added pressure. And often, that pressure shows up in how teachers feel at the end of the day.

Digital wellbeing is about using technology in ways that support your professional life, without harming your mental or physical health. For teachers, this means creating habits and routines that allow space for rest, focus and connection. It also involves building school cultures that recognise these needs.

This article explores some of the common challenges teachers face and offers simple, practical ideas that can make a genuine difference.

Understanding the pressures of digital teaching for teachers

The demands of teaching have always been high. But the digital side of the job has brought new layers. Teachers are often expected to be constantly available, to adapt quickly, and to keep up with ever-changing tools. There is little time to reflect, and even less to fully disconnect.

Looking after digital wellbeing is not just about comfort. It is about making sure teaching remains sustainable. A healthy work environment allows teachers to do their best over time, not just get through the week.

Common challenges and what can help

• Extended screen time

Spending long hours in front of a screen can affect your eyes, posture, energy and sleep. The feeling of being ‘always on’ can build up quietly and lead to burnout.

What can help: Try planning short breaks away from screens during the day. A walk, a quiet tea break, or doing a task in another space can offer a reset and give your mind a rest.

• Digital overload

With so many tools and platforms available, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. There may be a sense that you should always be learning the next new thing.

What can help: Focus on just a few tools that truly support your teaching. Speak with colleagues about what works for them. Peer advice is often the most helpful and can save time and stress.

• Not enough time to learn

New digital tools are often introduced without enough time for training. Many teachers are left to figure things out alone.

What can help: Look for small learning spaces such as peer-led workshops, co-teaching, or informal digital communities. You can also explore free online courses like the upcoming MOOCs: Empowering Teachers as Digital Lifelong Learners in School and Data-Informed Teaching and Learning: A Pathway to Action and Inclusivity. These offer flexible support for improving digital practice at your own pace.

Simple ways to support digital wellbeing

Once the challenges are clear, the next step is to try small changes that can help both teachers and students. These ideas can be adapted to your context and do not require major time or effort!

• Create clear boundaries

Avoid checking emails late at night or working through the weekend. Over time, these habits blur the line between work and rest.

Set specific times to read and reply to messages. Use quiet settings or ‘do not disturb’ features outside working hours. In the classroom, a reading corner or calm space without screens can remind students that not everything needs a device.

• Bring in moments of calm

Busy days can feel nonstop. Short breathing exercises, stretches, or a quiet pause at the end of a task can help you and your students feel more centred. This is not about long meditation sessions but small moments that allow everyone to slow down and reset.

• Stay connected with people

Digital tools are helpful, but can’t replace human connection. A quick chat with a colleague, planning with a peer, or reflecting together after a lesson builds community and helps prevent isolation.

Group tasks, shared discussions, or even just taking five minutes to connect before or after lessons can make a big difference.

• Offer flexible options

Students also experience screen fatigue. Giving them choices. For example, reading from a book or a screen, or completing tasks online or on paper; this supports different learning preferences and gives everyone space to breathe. It also helps teachers take a break from always using tech.

What schools can do

Teachers should not carry the responsibility for digital wellbeing alone. Schools play an important role in setting a positive tone and creating systems that support healthy habits.

The latest Agile Collection of Information on Screen Time from European Schoolnet highlights good practices across Europe. These include expert working groups, national guidelines, and local policies about mobile device use. All show a shared understanding that wellbeing is part of high-quality education.

Schools can support staff by:

• Including screen-free time in the school schedule
• Offering training focused on meaningful and manageable tech use
• Encouraging conversations with staff, students and families about healthy screen habits
• Making digital wellbeing a part of wider school improvement plans

Teachers can explore the latest Agile Collection to find out more about national approaches and practical actions that other schools are taking.

A gentle reminder

Digital wellbeing for teachers is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about finding what works in your setting, and making small, thoughtful changes over time. It is also not about rejecting technology but using it in ways that support you and your students.

Often, the smallest steps can be the most powerful: taking a short break, asking a colleague for help, or rethinking one daily habit. These actions build a teaching life that is not only more balanced but more joyful, too.

Further reading and useful tools

• European Schoolnet’s Perspective Paper on Inclusive Digital Education
• Agile Collection of Information on Screen Time
• Focus apps like Forest, Freedom, and StayFocusd to help manage screen use
• European Schoolnet Academy Course Catalogue