Childhood and adolescence
Mindfulness and meditation
idea
It’s time to hear what adolescents think of mindfulness in schools
Mindfulness for adolescents backfires when it imposes moral ideals, stirs up trauma, or fails to treat young people as agents
by Elena Hailwood, William Wannyn & Suparna Choudhury
Childhood and adolescence
idea
Young children use reason, not gut feelings, to decide moral issues
It’s not just ‘gut feelings’: humans form moral judgments that align with moral principles and beliefs from a young age
by Audun Dahl
Mental health
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Why does early puberty pose a risk to girls’ mental health?
Girls who start puberty earlier are at greater risk of depression and anxiety. To know why, we must look beyond biology
by Marjolein E A Barendse & Michelle L Byrne
Learning and education
idea
This is how to nurture curiosity in children (and yourself)
The curiosity that comes naturally to babies and young children can soon wilt – but there are ways to help it grow
by Shayla Love
Personality
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Childhood shyness can be advantageous – don’t pathologise it
Given their cautious vigilance, shy children are more likely to detect social threats and anticipate how events will unfold
by Raha Hassan & Kristie Poole
Sex and sexuality
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Teenagers are going to sext, let’s teach them to do it safely
Preaching abstinence doesn’t work – in sex as in sexting. Instead, we should teach how to reduce risk and sext safely
by Joris Van Ouytsel
Artists and art history
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The art of Ice Age children offers a tactile sense of the past
Small hands in dark caves: Ice Age art reveals the role of artistic expression and child’s play in ancient societies
by Izzy Wisher
Eating disorders
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When fear grew in my stomach, I starved myself just to survive
Hungry to survive an abusive childhood, I stopped eating. Years later, I learned the name of my eating disorder
by Nataliya Deleva
Self-harm and suicide
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Why poor sleep can lead to self-harm and suicide at university
Late nights plus exam pressure equals poor sleep. Is that why university students face higher risks of suicide and self-harm?
by Kirsten Russell & Donna Littlewood
Friendship
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Empathic friends can provide the right kind of peer pressure
Research on empathy development in adolescents suggests an under-appreciated potential for positive peer influence
by Marta Miklikowska & Lauree Tilton-Weaver
Childhood and adolescence
idea
Adolescence is a ‘use it or lose it’ time for moral development
For certain neural pathways, including those involved in moral decision making, adolescence is a one-shot chance of development
by Brandon Bretl
Self-harm and suicide
idea
Suicide risk and social media: is it a landmine or a lifeline?
Analysing the specific experiences, not just overall usage, is key to understanding the risks and benefits of social media
by Jacqueline Nesi