Pre-pandemic, reading rates among teenagers were falling. But BookTok, a subculture of social media platform TikTok, has made teens read more often – and influences what they read. Here’s how it works.
Mental health services aren’t meeting young people’s needs, particularly during the global pandemic. But research shows parents can learn how to reduce anxiety and depression in early teens.
Too sleepy? In a rush? Or something more concerning? Teenagers often get turned off breakfast. Chat to them to find out why and offer some easy options.
A residential building destroyed by Russian army shelling in Borodyanka, Kyiv province.
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A group of Ukrainian teens writes about what they will do when the war ends. ‘The first thing that I would do is play the piano. I will play as long as I can,’ writes one.
In online communities, people can explore their interests – even if they’re not common ones.
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Initially a service to let gamers voice and text chat while playing, most of Discord’s current users build and maintain online communities – though not always very big ones.
It’s important to know how technology affects the human brain.
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Adolescence lies between childhood and adulthood, but adolescents are neither big children nor little adults. They have increased food requirements to support their rapid physical growth and maturation.
Today, teens are often seen as troublesome and difficult. Ancient Roman writers also described adolescence as a period of “hooliganism and debauchery.”
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Teens across millennia have yearned to explore, try new things and participate in risky behaviours. The key difference, however, seems to be the experience of a rebellion or restlessness.
Smartwatches are becoming popular gifts for children and teens.
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As someone who’s been researching e-wearables as a means to teach children about mental health for over 10 years, I’ve seen some alarming unintended consequences with their use.
The fear of missing out seems to be an important risk factor contributing to youth feelings of social disconnection.
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Research suggests that an important question parents can consider with pre-teens and teens is: “What are you doing online and how is it making you feel?”
Mark Zuckerberg’s company says the kids are all right, but the data it presents is only about how the average social media user is doing.
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Research from Meta and some scientists shows no harm from social media, but other research and whistleblower testimony show otherwise. Seemingly contradictory, both can be right.
There is a clear need for youth-centred policy at the federal and provincial levels that specifically addresses dating violence.
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One in three Canadian youth experience dating violence. Early intervention is critical to preventing the negative effects, but adolescents report significant barriers to finding support.
What if there were a social media blackout for teens during certain hours of the night?
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It’s tempting to think limits would cause teens to riot in the streets. But Facebook’s own research reveals that young people are well aware of social media’s downsides.
Instagram’s emphasis on filtered photos of bodies harms girls’ self-image.
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There is ample research about how harmful Instagram is for teen girls, especially around body image. It turns out Facebook’s own research confirms it.
Youth in New Mexico used their own experiences with arrest and incarceration to advocate for others.
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A youth group gives juvenile offenders a chance to advocate for change in the justice system.
Students nearing the end of high school worried about their schoolwork and education more than younger students.
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Some skeptics say that the growing prevalence of transgender teens is a fad. But history and some recent research show it’s not so simple.
For teens, the pandemic has spotlit the risk of not being able to take risks associated with establishing new intimate relationships outside of the family.
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