Screens vs. Well-being

Based on survey data from over one million middle and high school students in the U.S., this study claims that increased screen time coincides with decreased levels of happiness in youth. The authors explain that their work cannot demonstrate causation, but advise that “the key to digital media use and happiness is limited use.”

See also: Screen time: Mental health menace or scapegoat?

Dr. Michael Ungar also weighs in.

Teens who think their parents are uninformed about social media are less likely to seek their support and guidance when they need them.

Helping students become discerning and critical consumers of digital content is a challenging task for educators. This resource from the Harvard Graduate School of Education offers practical advice and includes links to other valuable materials.

Research shows that many boys lack the necessary experience of emotional diversity. This can result in weaker academic performance, lead to risk behaviours in adolescence, and result in emotion suppression in adulthood. Emotion suppression can have a negative impact on physical, psychological, and relational health in men.

This article argues that the next shift in education will be about re-designing it to nurture openness, curiosity, and empathy as instrumental in cognition and achievement. Empathy, it claims, is fundamental to how young people learn and how they understand the world around them.

Recent research findings in neuroscience are making it clear that human brains are wired to forget. Thankfully, there are strategies that can be used to help students retain knowledge. This article explains five of them.

In small doses, self-doubt is normal. When unchecked, it can lead teens to have an unhealthy view of their abilities and potential. This article explains several strategies that teachers and parents can use to help young people gain a more balanced perspective.

The Aspen Institute released a report titled “How Learning Happens: Supporting Students’ Social, Emotional, and Academic Development.” Read the full report or review the summary.

See also: Experts Agree Social-Emotional Learning Matters, and Are Plotting Roadmap on How to Do It

This is an accessible and practical resource for those just getting into the field of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and looking for materials on helping young people develop non-academic skills.

See also: Do the Benefits of Social and Emotional Learning Programs Last?