Grounded in Digital Life
Practical insights for navigating—and teaching—social media with care
Hi there — and welcome! I’m Sydney Sullivan, an educator, writer, and researcher passionate about the intersection of social media, well-being, and critical education. I’m so excited you’re here.
I created this Substack because I believe we need more spaces where we can talk honestly, and kindly, about the realities of living and learning in a digital world—social media specifically. Whether you're someone seeking tools to navigate your own relationship with social media, or an educator looking for ways to teach these topics with greater intention, you’re in the right place.
Why now?
For years, my work has been rooted in questions about how digital platforms shape our well-being—individually and collectively. Through my Ph.D. research, podcast conversations, and published pieces, I’ve explored how we can build healthier, more mindful relationships with social media.
My dissertation focused on how critical media literacy can empower students to recognize the emotional and cognitive impacts of online life — and importantly, how educators can create classrooms that are safe spaces for these discussions. Recently, I've had the honor of speaking about these topics on podcasts like CyberWise and contributing chapters to collections like Transformative Practice in Critical Media Literacy. You can explore all of that work here if you’d like to dive deeper.
But the truth is, critical conversations about social media are needed now more than ever—and they need to be rooted not just in critique, but in care. I want to model a way of teaching and talking about digital life that stays mindful, compassionate, and grounded.
What you can expect here:
Every Tuesday morning, you’ll find a new post in your inbox. Here's what I'll be sharing:
For individuals: practical well-being strategies for navigating social media (without guilt, shame, or fear).
For educators: resources, lesson ideas, and frameworks for teaching students about social media and emotional resilience.
For everyone: reflections on digital culture, critical media literacy, and how we can build healthier relationships with technology — together.
Occasionally, I’ll offer deeper dives and extended resources available to paid subscribers, but the heart of this newsletter will always be accessible to everyone.
If you want to stay connected…
Subscribe for free to get every Tuesday morning post directly to your inbox.
Share this Substack with a friend, colleague, or fellow social media user who might need a little more grounding in their feed.
Join the conversation by replying to posts—I genuinely love hearing from you.
Thank you for being here. Let’s build something grounded, real, and kind.
With care,
Sydney