Here at TrilbyTV, we’re passionate about digital signage. Not only because we know how important it is to share information to your community, but because we also understand how it can shape and inform the minds of young students.
While digital signage is a great way to share a calendar of extra curricular events, your vision and values, or to celebrate achievements, it’s also a space that can be used as part of bigger, more important conversations.
In recent years there’s been a selection of internet personalities who have promoted unhealthy relationship dynamics and skewed ideas of what masculinity looks like.
With the airing of Netflix’s show Adolescence and Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere, now more than ever, important and often difficult conversations are being had with students.
Well-placed content on your signage can help create a positive environment and bridge conversations between the classroom and home. We hope this blog inspires you to share great, considered, positive content to your community.
Share positive role models
There’s plenty to choose from and there’s many who resonate with young people because of their career or fame. Maybe there’s someone in your local community that can be celebrated? Here’s some names you’ll likely recognise that you might want to include:
Keanu Reeves, Hollywood actor
Known for humility, generosity, and treating others with quiet respect rather than ego.
Harry Styles, Global pop star
Challenges gender norms in fashion, promotes kindness and emotional openness.
Pedro Pascal, TV and film actor
Openly affectionate, supportive of his trans sister, models warmth and emotional intelligence.
Stormzy, Award-winning artist
Funds scholarships for Black students, speaks openly about therapy and vulnerability.
Shawn Mendes, Pop artist
Discusses anxiety and therapy, encourages emotional openness among young men.
Language to look out for
Language is important, and as social media grows, vocabulary changes. Emojis and new phrases have become coded language amongst many young students. It’s important to be able to spot it, so you know when to intervene and chat with a student, friend or child.
Use your signage to familiarise staff, peers and parents with what they should be on the look-out for. It could be a sign that someone is paying attention to negative online content. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this list from UN Women. It has a glossary of terms that are key to understanding conversations amongst teens and young adults today.
Be mindful of the content you’re sharing
In spaces where content promotes health (like a sports hall, school gym or canteen), think about the images and language you use. It’s easy to display highly muscular or idealised physiques that are not achievable for young people. Extreme images can place pressure on boys and young men to meet unrealistic expectations tied to appearance and masculinity, encouraging aesthetic over wellbeing.
Mythbusting masculinity
It’s not for us to say what masculinity is, or isn’t, but consider sharing content that challenges stereotypes that young people see and hear all the time.
Gentle prompts can plant small seeds that spark reflection. Whether that’s in the corridor between classes or while in the queue for lunch, these small moments can create space to pause and think.
Helpful resources
We’re experts in digital signage and we’re here to help you share your messages to your community. Along with internal expertise from teachers, pastoral or mental health teams, below are some resources that would make great content to signpost your community to:
The Mix: Essential support for under 25s
Andy’s Man Club
Kooth: Free, safe anonymous support for young people
TrilbyTV promotes positivity
We see every day how sharing positive content leads to happy, engaged students. Take a look at Bartholomew School, who are leading the way with community communication.
They even have a text service shared on their signage where students can report any worries or bullying. By displaying these kinds of resources as part of daily messages, it helps to keep the awareness of how and to get support when it’s needed.
Final thoughts
In a world where information overload is unavoidable, your signage can help cut through the noise.
While it can be used to share lots of key information, some messages are harder than others. We’re here to help you share the content that matters most to your community, no matter how big or small. If you have ideas but don’t know how to get started, speak to our team today.
Could digital signage help your school support difficult conversations? Book a demo with a member of our team to find out. We also have a free 30 day trial so you can try it out for yourself.