Building Belonging and Psychological Safety in Digital Spaces

Abstract

Psychological safety, the belief that one can take interpersonal risks without fear of negative consequences, forms the foundation for effective mentoring relationships. However, creating it in digital environments presents distinct challenges. This chapter examines how e-mentoring can foster a sense of belonging and safety despite limited nonverbal cues, physical distance, and the formality that digital communication can impose. Drawing on research by Edmondson and Strayhorn, the chapter explores practical strategies for building trust across screens, including motivational interviewing techniques that prioritize listening over advising, explicit discussion of norms and expectations, and intentional practices that signal care and attention. The chapter addresses how mentors can recognize and respond to signs of struggle in asynchronous communication, navigate power dynamics that may feel magnified online, and create conditions where mentees feel safe expressing uncertainty or asking for help. For students from marginalized backgrounds, psychological safety in e-mentoring relationships can counteract isolation and affirm a sense of belonging in academic spaces where they may question their legitimacy.