Camp Blog

Raising Resilient Young People in a Digital World

2nd November 2026

How can we help children build confidence, independence and resilience when so much of their world happens on a screen?

Our children are growing up in a world that would have been difficult to imagine a generation ago. Smartphones, social media, online gaming and instant messaging have transformed how young people learn, communicate, entertain themselves and maintain friendships. Technology offers enormous opportunities, but it also raises important questions for parents. Are children getting enough time away from their screens? Are they learning to manage challenges for themselves? And how can we help them develop the resilience they need to navigate an increasingly complex world?

In his bestselling book The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores how the shift from a play-based childhood towards a more phone-centred childhood may be affecting young people’s mental health and development. He argues for a better balance between online life and the real-world experiences children need as they grow up.

It is a subject that resonates with many parents. While technology is now an established part of everyday life, there is growing interest in the value of outdoor adventure, independent play, face-to-face friendships and opportunities for children to learn by doing.

At Camp Suisse, we see every season how valuable these experiences can be. Whether children join us for a summer camp in the Swiss Alps or a winter ski camp, they have opportunities to try new things, navigate unfamiliar situations, make international friends and discover what they are capable of.

So, how can parents help young people build resilience in a digital world, and what role can real-world experiences play?

What Does It Mean to Raise Resilient Children?

Resilience is often described as the ability to bounce back when things go wrong. In practice, it is about much more than simply being tough or getting over disappointment quickly.

Resilient children learn that they can experience difficult feelings without being overwhelmed by them. They begin to understand that mistakes are part of learning, that setbacks don’t mean failure and that they can find ways through challenges, even when things don’t go according to plan.

These skills develop gradually. Children need opportunities to make decisions, solve problems, manage disagreements and experience the satisfaction of achieving something that initially felt difficult. They also need supportive adults who help them make sense of these experiences without stepping in to resolve every problem for them.

Technology doesn’t automatically prevent children from developing these skills. Digital spaces can offer friendship, creativity, learning and a sense of belonging. However, if much of a child’s free time is spent online, it is worth considering whether they are also getting enough opportunities to practise independence, manage frustration and interact with the world around them.

The World Health Organization’s research into digital environments and young people’s wellbeing recognises both the benefits and potential risks of technology. Its findings highlight that the relationship between digital technology and mental health is complex, with experiences varying according to how technology is used and the individual circumstances of each young person.

The aim, therefore, isn’t to remove technology from children’s lives. It is to help them develop the confidence and judgement to use it well, while making sure they have plenty of opportunities to grow beyond it.

Why Real-World Experiences Matter More Than Ever

One of the central arguments in The Anxious Generation is that children need more opportunities for independent play, exploration and real-world interaction. Haidt suggests that when childhood becomes increasingly organised around smartphones and online activities, young people can miss out on experiences that help them develop independence and social confidence.

His work has prompted important conversations among parents, educators and policymakers, although the precise relationship between smartphones, social media and youth mental health remains debated. It is worth approaching the subject with balance rather than assuming that one factor explains every challenge young people face.

What is clear is that children need opportunities to practise the skills that help them navigate life. They need to work things out, make friends, try unfamiliar activities, experience disappointment and discover that they can handle more than they initially thought.

These experiences don’t need to be dramatic. Walking into a new group, ordering their own meal, learning to ride a bike, navigating a mountain trail or working out how to resolve a disagreement can all give a child the chance to develop confidence.

The important thing is that they are doing, deciding and experiencing things for themselves, with support available when they need it.

Learning to Cope When Things Don’t Go to Plan

As parents, it is natural to want to make life easier for our children. We want them to feel happy, included and confident, and it can be difficult to watch them struggle when we know we could step in and solve a problem.

But there is a difference between supporting a child through a challenge and removing every challenge before they have the chance to face it.

Resilience develops when young people discover that an uncomfortable situation is something they can work through. They might struggle to master a new skill, feel nervous about joining a group or become frustrated when an activity doesn’t go as expected. With encouragement, they can learn to pause, try another approach, ask for help and keep going.

At camp, these opportunities arise naturally. A camper might find a mountain bike trail more difficult than expected, feel nervous about an activity they have never tried before or need to work out how to settle into a new group of friends. These are ordinary experiences, but they give young people the chance to practise coping with uncertainty in a supportive environment.

They may not get everything right first time. That is part of the value. The achievement is not always in completing the activity perfectly, but in discovering that they can try, adapt and improve.

Independence Begins With Small Steps

Children don’t become independent overnight. They develop independence through everyday opportunities to take responsibility, make decisions and learn from the outcomes.

At home, this might mean allowing a child to pack their own bag, prepare a simple meal, organise their belongings or work out how to solve a minor problem before asking an adult to step in. As they grow older, it can mean giving them more responsibility for managing their time, planning activities and making appropriate decisions.

These small steps can be particularly important in a world where so much is designed to provide immediate answers and instant entertainment. When children are used to having something available at the touch of a button, learning to work things out for themselves can take practice.

Being away from home can provide a valuable opportunity to put these skills into action. At an international summer camp, children follow a different routine, look after their belongings, navigate new social situations and take part in activities alongside young people they may have only just met. A ski camp offers similar opportunities, with the added challenge of learning and improving on the slopes.

For parents, it can be reassuring to remember that children don’t need to be completely independent before they arrive. Sometimes, the experience itself is what helps them take the next step.

Friendship, Communication and Life Beyond the Screen

Digital communication has made it easier than ever for young people to stay in touch, but face-to-face relationships offer opportunities to practise a different set of skills.

In person, children learn to read expressions and body language, take turns in conversations, navigate differences of opinion and recognise how their actions affect other people. They discover that friendships require effort, patience and understanding, and that not every misunderstanding can be resolved with a quick message.

These experiences are especially valuable when children meet people whose backgrounds, interests or perspectives differ from their own.

At Camp Suisse, campers join us from different countries and cultures, creating an international community where friendships develop through shared experiences. Whether they are learning a language, working together during an activity, sharing a meal or laughing about something that happened during the day, they have plenty of opportunities to communicate, cooperate and get to know one another.

Making friends in a new environment can feel daunting at first, particularly for children who are naturally shy. But the more opportunities they have to interact with others, the more chances they get to develop social confidence.

These are skills that can support them in the classroom, in future relationships and throughout adult life.

Why Boredom Can Be a Good Thing

When children have a spare moment, it can be tempting to reach for a phone or find something to keep them entertained. Digital content is readily available, and there is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying it.

However, not every moment needs to be filled.

Boredom can give children the space to use their imagination, explore their surroundings, invent a game or decide what they would like to do next. It can encourage creativity and help them become more comfortable with having time to themselves.

Learning to manage boredom is also a small but meaningful part of independence. Children discover that they don’t always need someone else to entertain them, and that an empty afternoon can become an opportunity rather than a problem.

This is one reason why time outdoors can be so valuable. A walk, a bike ride, a game with friends or an afternoon exploring somewhere new offers a different kind of stimulation from scrolling through a screen. Children are actively involved in what is happening around them, responding to their environment and making their own discoveries.

At Camp Suisse, days are filled with activities, adventure and time with friends. There is plenty to get involved in, but the emphasis is on participating in camp life rather than spending the day looking for entertainment on a device.

Finding a Healthy Balance With Technology

For most families, the realistic goal isn’t a completely screen-free childhood. Technology plays an important role in education, communication and entertainment, and young people need to learn how to navigate it responsibly.

The challenge is making sure that online activities don’t crowd out other important parts of growing up.

Rather than focusing only on the number of hours a child spends on a device, it can be helpful to consider the bigger picture. Are they getting enough sleep? Do they have time to play outdoors and spend time with friends? Are they able to concentrate on activities without constantly checking notifications? Do they have interests that exist beyond the digital world?

Parents can also encourage children to reflect on how technology makes them feel. Some online activities may leave them feeling connected, inspired or entertained, while others might contribute to comparison, frustration or anxiety. Open conversations can help young people recognise the difference and make more thoughtful choices.

Practical boundaries can help, too. Keeping phones away during meals, creating screen-free periods before bed and protecting time for family activities can make a difference without turning technology into a constant source of conflict.

At Camp Suisse, we take a similar approach. We aren’t anti-technology, but we believe young people benefit from having time when they can fully immerse themselves in the experience around them. During both our summer and ski camps, campers have a dedicated hour each day to access their phones, giving them an opportunity to contact home. The rest of the day is focused on activities, friendships, learning and adventure.

This balance gives children a chance to stay connected with their families while experiencing the enjoyment of being present in the moment.

For more on why we believe this matters, read our article Why Kids Need More Wilderness and Less Wi-Fi.

How Summer Camps and Ski Camps Can Help Build Resilience

An international camp is not a magic solution to every challenge children face, and every young person will experience camp differently. But it can offer a valuable combination of independence, outdoor adventure, friendship and opportunities to try new things.

At a summer camp in Switzerland, young people might challenge themselves on a mountain bike trail, take part in a watersport, learn a new language or work together during an outdoor activity. They have opportunities to discover new interests, build friendships and experience the satisfaction of doing something they hadn’t tried before.

A ski camp in the Swiss Alps offers its own challenges. Learning to ski, improving technique, tackling unfamiliar slopes and spending full days outdoors all require patience and perseverance. Progress doesn’t always happen in a straight line, and children learn that improvement often comes through practice, encouragement and trying again.

Both experiences also give young people time away from their usual routines. They spend their days participating in activities, sharing experiences and connecting with people face to face, rather than having constant access to their phones.

At Camp Suisse, we see how these experiences can help young people grow in confidence. A child who arrives feeling nervous about meeting new people may soon be laughing with friends from different countries. Someone who doubts their ability to try a new activity may discover a skill they want to keep developing. A young person who is used to relying on a parent for reassurance may begin to trust their own judgement.

These changes don’t happen in exactly the same way for everyone, but they illustrate the value of giving children opportunities to discover what they can do.

You can explore our Summer Camp in Switzerland and our Camp Suisse Ski programmes to find out more about the experiences available.

What Parents Can Do to Raise Resilient Young People

Building resilience doesn’t require a complete overhaul of family life. Small, consistent changes can give children more opportunities to develop the skills they need.

Give them space to solve problems. When something goes wrong, resist the urge to fix it immediately. Ask what they think they could do and give them time to come up with a solution.

Encourage them to try unfamiliar things. Whether it is a new hobby, a sport or a social situation, trying something outside their comfort zone helps children discover what they are capable of.

Let them experience manageable setbacks. Disappointment and frustration are part of life. Offer support, but also help them recognise that difficult feelings can pass and problems can often be worked through.

Make time for outdoor activities. Walks, cycling, sports and simply playing outside provide opportunities for movement, exploration and shared experiences away from screens.

Protect time for face-to-face relationships. Family meals, clubs, team activities and time with friends help children practise communication, cooperation and empathy.

Talk openly about technology. Rather than relying entirely on rules, help children think about how they use their devices, how online experiences affect them and when it might be helpful to take a break.

Model the balance you want to see. Children notice how adults use their phones, respond to interruptions and spend their free time. Making room for screen-free moments yourself can help establish healthy habits for the whole family.

Most importantly, remember that resilience develops over time. Children don’t need to be fearless or confident in every situation. They need opportunities to learn, adults who support them and the chance to discover that they can handle challenges one step at a time.

Giving Children the Confidence to Thrive in a Digital World

Technology will continue to shape childhood, and young people need the skills to use it safely, thoughtfully and confidently. But they also need time to explore, take responsibility, build friendships and experience the satisfaction of overcoming challenges.

Raising resilient children isn’t about shielding them from every difficulty or keeping them away from technology altogether. It is about helping them develop the confidence to navigate both the digital and real world, knowing when to connect, when to switch off and when to give something another try.

At Camp Suisse, we believe that adventure, friendship and time outdoors have an important part to play. Whether it is a summer spent exploring the Swiss Alps or a winter learning to ski, camp gives young people opportunities to step outside their usual routines, discover new strengths and build relationships through shared experiences.

Sometimes, the moments that make the biggest difference are the simplest: trying something that felt daunting, solving a problem independently, making a new friend or realising that a difficult day can turn into a great memory.

These are the experiences that help children grow, and the confidence they gain can stay with them long after they return home.

Because in a world where so much happens on a screen, young people still need the opportunity to discover what they can do in the real one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help my child become more resilient in a digital world?

Give them opportunities to solve problems, try new activities, manage small setbacks and spend time with others face to face. Encourage a healthy balance between online activities and experiences such as outdoor play, sport, hobbies and time with friends.

Does screen time make children less resilient?

Not necessarily. The effects of technology depend on how it is used, the type of activity and the individual child. Digital experiences can support learning and connection, but it is important to ensure that screen use doesn’t consistently replace sleep, physical activity, in-person relationships or opportunities to develop independence.

What is Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation about?

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines the relationship between the rise of smartphones and social media, changes in childhood and declining youth mental health. He argues that children need more opportunities for independent play and real-world experiences. His work has helped bring these issues into public discussion, although researchers continue to debate the strength and complexity of the evidence linking digital technology with mental health.

Can summer camp help children build resilience?

Summer camp can give children opportunities to try unfamiliar activities, develop friendships, solve problems and manage challenges away from their usual routines. These experiences may help them build confidence, independence and resilience, although each child’s experience will be different.

Can a ski camp help children become more confident and independent?

A ski camp can provide opportunities to practise new skills, persevere when learning feels difficult and celebrate progress. Spending time with other young people and taking part in activities away from home can also help children develop social confidence and independence.

Is Camp Suisse a completely device-free camp?

No. Camp Suisse takes a balanced approach to technology. During both summer and ski camps, campers have a dedicated hour each day to access their phones. The rest of their time is focused on outdoor activities, learning, friendships and shared experiences.