By Deborah Sugirthakumar
In a world where the lines between real and digital interactions often blur, understanding what makes a relationship healthy is more important than ever, especially for young people. Friendships and romantic connections can shape self-worth, emotional growth, and future decision making. However, many young people experience unhealthy dynamics without recognising them as harmful. This article explores the foundations of healthy relationships, how to identify red flags, and the vital role of boundaries, respect, and digital well-being.
What Does a Healthy Relationship Look Like?
At its core, a healthy relationship is built on mutual trust, respect, and communication. It’s a connection that supports individual growth rather than limits it. Whether it’s a friendship, family bond, or romantic partnership, a healthy relationship encourages each person to thrive independently and together. Research published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence (2021) found that adolescents who felt supported in their relationships reported higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Signs of a healthy relationship include the ability to speak openly without fear, celebrating each other’s achievements, having disagreements without insults or manipulation, and supporting personal goals.
Identifying Red Flags
Emotional manipulation, jealousy, and control are early warning signs of toxic relationships. A 2020 study conducted by Our Watch found that one in four young Australians didn’t recognise controlling behaviours, like tracking a partner’s phone location or demanding social media passwords, as signs of abuse. These patterns may start subtly: excessive sarcasm, guilt-tripping, isolating someone from friends, or ignoring their preferences. Recognising these behaviours is the first step in protecting one’s emotional and mental well-being.
The Importance of Boundaries
Setting boundaries is an act of self-respect. Boundaries aren’t about building walls, they’re about defining what feels comfortable and acceptable. When young people learn to say “no” or “I need space,” they learn to honour their values and emotional safety. A healthy relationship always respects those boundaries. If someone continually ignores or disrespects them, it signals an imbalance of power or care.
Consent and Mutual Respect
Consent is key in all relationships. It means agreeing to something freely without fear, pressure, or obligation. Whether it’s about physical affection, time commitments, or social media sharing, both parties should feel safe to express their comfort or discomfort. Consent also means that “no” is respected as much as “yes.”
Navigating Digital Relationships
Today’s relationships often unfold online. But with increased digital access comes the risk of digital abuse. According to the eSafety Commissioner (2022), over 35% of teenagers reported experiencing controlling or bullying behaviour online from someone they were dating or close to. Healthy digital boundaries—like not sharing passwords, setting screen-time limits, and not feeling obligated to reply immediately, can protect young people from emotional strain and cyberbullying.
Creating and maintaining healthy relationships isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. It requires self-awareness, open dialogue, and the courage to protect one’s emotional space.
As researcher and author Brené Brown beautifully puts it: “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.”
Teaching young people how to build respectful and safe relationships, online and offline, equips them with lifelong tools for emotional resilience and self-worth. And that’s a foundation worth investing in.
