As a linguist who specialises in tracking slang and language change, there’s one holiday tradition I always look forward to: the annual selection of the word of the year. Dictionary publishers and linguistics associations choose a word or expression – usually a new term or one that has taken on new meaning in the past […] … learn more→

The penetration of technology into our lives is undeniable, and perhaps this is especially noticeable in adolescents. According to the National Institute of Statistics (2022), 94.9% of minors between 10 and 15 years old have used the internet in the last 3 months and 69.5% of them have a mobile phone. Furthermore, according to a recent UNICEF report (2021) , 98.5% […] … learn more→

Artificial intelligence is poised to upend much of society, removing human limitations inherent in many systems. One such limitation is information and logistical bottlenecks in decision-making. Traditionally, people have been forced to reduce complex choices to a small handful of options that don’t do justice to their true desires. Artificial intelligence has the potential to […] … learn more→

All human beings age. It is part of our biology and limits our lifespan to slightly over 120 years. Not all animals experience ageing during their lives. Some animals’ bodies do not gradually degenerate as they get older the way our bodies do. But for humans once they reach about age 30 their chance of dying doubles roughly every eight years. So […] … learn more→

Young people around the world have a role to play in the face of the major challenges facing our societies, from climate change to growing inequalities, including the collapse of biodiversity and political instability. However, 76% of tomorrow’s young leaders believe that the older generation ignores their vital interests, and 50% of senior leaders share this opinion . […] … learn more→

Seven out of ten children and adolescents between 10 and 15 years old have a mobile phone in Spain, according to the latest data from the Spanish Statistics Institute (INE)< a i=2>. Our recent study shows that 60% of them do not have rules at home for their use. Both realities (children and adolescents with mobile phones […] … learn more→

In my research, I have spent a good deal of time speaking with people from across the world about their relationship with sound and music – how it features in their everyday lives and how it influences their attitudes and behaviour. One of the most consistent findings is that, irrespective of culture or place, we are […] … learn more→

The effect of video games on the social, affective and cognitive development of children and adolescents is of concern since they have become one of the main forms of entertainment at an early age. As an extreme case, the Chinese government limits minors’ access to video games, although with little success . The addiction of young people to video […] … learn more→

The festive season is a time for joy, family and festive cheer. However, it’s also a prime target for cybercriminals. As online shopping ramps up, so does the risk of falling prey to cyber-attacks. That’s why it’s crucial to be extra vigilant about your cybersecurity during this time. Here are some essential tips to safeguard yourself and […] … learn more→

As we get closer to Christmas, your family will probably have some kind of gathering. You will reunite with people who you might not see any other time. There will be some awkward small talk, everyone will start off on their best behaviour, there will be too much food, and presents will be exchanged. Sometimes, […] … learn more→