Monthly Archives: June 2024

Journalism has become ground zero for the vocation crisis

Journalism has become ground zero for the vocation crisis

This year has been a grim one for journalism, with layoffs at the Los Angeles Times, Time magazine, NBC News, Forbes, National Geographic, Business Insider and Sports Illustrated. Further cuts loom in newsrooms across the U.S. Growing numbers of reporters and editors, tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop, are exiting the profession, citing burnout as the reason for […] … learn more→

Is social media making you unhappy? The answer is not so simple

Is social media making you unhappy? The answer is not so simple

You may have seen headlines that link social media to sadness and depression. Social media use goes up, happiness goes down. But recent studies suggest those findings might not be so straightforward. Although it is true that people’s feelings of envy and depression are linked to high social media use, there is evidence to suggest […] … learn more→

We know social media bans are unlikely to work. So how can we keep young people safe online?

We know social media bans are unlikely to work. So how can we keep young people safe online?

A war has erupted around young people’s use social media and it is messy. In the United States, surgeon general Vivek Murthy has recommended cigarette packet-like warnings for platforms like Instagram to remind teens and parents social media “has not proved safe”. In Australia, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he would ban social media for those under 16 within […] … learn more→

Brave against bullies: how to foster an environment of respect and solidarity in schools and institutes

Brave against bullies: how to foster an environment of respect and solidarity in schools and institutes

Recent international reports on bullying show that we are facing a problem throughout the world, with negative effects on the school performance and health of minors. In Spain, one of the latest studies published reveals that these types of situations have been reduced, although it is a survey of opinions among students, so we do not have data on […] … learn more→

How to help a perfectionist child

How to help a perfectionist child

From a very young age, some children may show signs of perfectionism. When they are very young, they can tear up their drawing if they don’t think it’s completely correct. Later, they may avoid doing their homework, or refuse to do it altogether, for fear of making a mistake. Perfectionism can lead them to feel […] … learn more→

Why we are so bad at detecting lies

Why we are so bad at detecting lies

You don’t need to be in the middle of an election campaign to worry about your ability to spot a lie. Psychology research suggests that people lie at least once a day. A 2006 study of 206 documents found that we are just a little better than chance at guessing whether we are dealing with a lie or not, […] … learn more→

Surgeon general’s call for warning labels on social media underscores concerns for teen mental health

Surgeon general’s call for warning labels on social media underscores concerns for teen mental health

Amid growing concerns over the effects of social media on teen mental health, on June 17, 2024, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warning labels to be added to social media platforms, similar to surgeon general warnings on cigarettes and alcohol. Murphy’s warning cited research showing that teens who use more than three hours of social media a […] … learn more→

What do you do for your reader?

What do you do for your reader?

I often say, following John Wagner, that a paper, chapter or book ought to reduce a reader’s ignorance. In other words, when they’ve finished reading what you’ve written, a reader ought to feel that they know more about the topic than when they started. I like the modesty of reducing ignorance. It has none of the hubris […] … learn more→

The effects of alcohol on Mental Health

The effects of alcohol on Mental Health

There is a growing emphasis on caring for individuals’ mental health, and many companies, educational institutions, and other industries are working towards improving it. That being said, many people turn to alcohol to find the peace of mind they so desperately try to attain. In pursuit of this attainment, many turn toward alcohol consumption. Consuming […] … learn more→