SPENDING more time offline could play a significant role in improving mental health according to James Tweed, founder of learning technology company Coracle, as the UK prepares to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (May 11–17).

Tweed is urging educators, healthcare providers and organisations to rethink how digital tools are used, highlighting a model he calls “offline-first learning” - where educational experiences are designed to work without constant internet access and minimise digital distraction.

“People assume more technology improves learning, but constant connectivity often does the opposite,” he said. “When you remove the noise - notifications, tabs, feeds - you create the conditions for focus, confidence and calmer thinking, all of which are closely linked to better mental health.”

His comments come amid growing evidence linking excessive screen time and ‘always on’ digital environments to increased anxiety, poor concentration and disrupted sleep, particularly among young people. Studies have also found that offline activities can improve attention, memory retention and overall wellbeing.

Tweed said these findings should influence how learning environments are designed, particularly in schools and healthcare settings. “In schools, children are constantly interrupted by digital stimuli, which makes it harder to sustain attention and increases cognitive fatigue,” he said.

“Offline-first learning gives them uninterrupted time to think, which is essential not just for education, but for emotional resilience.”

He added that offline tools can also benefit patients in hospitals and other care settings. “When someone is unwell, simplicity matters. Offline tools remove friction and allow people to engage at their own pace, without overwhelm,” he said.

Tweed outlined several ways offline learning can support mental health and called for organisations to take a more intentional approach to technology use.

“The goal isn’t to remove technology,” he said. “It’s to design it in a way that works with human psychology, rather than against it.”

With awareness of digital wellbeing continuing to grow, Tweed said offline-first approaches could become an increasingly important part of how organisations support both learning and mental health.

James Tweed is an edtech expert who founded his company Coracle in 2006. The business operates in some of the world's toughest environments, including the maritime industry, prisons and police custody suites.

Coracle holds a King’s Award for Enterprise Award for Promoting Opportunity and in 2025 became a B Corporation.

James advises the government on digital inclusion as a member of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)'s Digital Inclusion Action Committee (DIAC).