Social media and teenage insecurity

+ the benefits of birdsong 🐦 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Europe Edition - Today's top story: Social media is boosting mental health disorders and suicidal thoughts among teens, particularly in girls View in browser   Europe Edition | 29 January 2026 Australia recently became the first country to ban access to social media for teenagers. Other governments have been watching the measure closely, and France has now taken steps to launch its own similar law. This push has been spurred by a major report, compiled over five years by the French national health watchdog Anses. In our interview with two of the report's authors, they offer insights into what they've found out about how the vulnerable teenage psyche interacts with social media, as well as the potential link between social media and depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Spain's menstrual leave policy, the first in Europe to legally guarantee time off for menstrual symptoms, was hailed by many as a landmark achievement for gender equality and human rights. But how do these policies actually work? Lydia de la Iglesia Aza takes a look at the range of laws underpinning these measures around the world, from Spain to Argentina, Japan, Korea and Zambia. She also explores the complex reasons why these rights are widely underused. We all know that a walk in nature can help you de-stress, but do you know what takes the relaxation to the next level? According to Christoph Randler at Tübingen University, it's birdsong. He found that just paying attention to birds can help you relax more, and you don't have to be a "bird nerd" (his words, not mine) to feel the benefit – just tune in to the warbles and chirps next time you're out in the woods or park, and feel the stress melt away. Alex Minshall Editor, Valencia Social media is boosting mental health disorders and suicidal thoughts among teens, particularly in girls Olivia Roth-Delgado, Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail (Anses); Thomas Bayeux, Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail (Anses) Tik Tok, Instagram, Youtube… Social Media is driving offline disorders among teenagers, suggests a large-scale report by French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses). Menstrual leave: stigma and uncertainty mean these progressive measures are being underused around the world Lidia de la Iglesia Aza, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Time off work for period pain is still a topic of heated debate. Paying attention to birdsong while walking in nature can boost wellbeing, my research shows Christoph Randler, University of Tübingen Listening to birdsong while walking in nature reduced both psychological and physiological markers of stress. Questions are being raised about microplastics studies – here's what's solid science and what isn't Michael Richardson, Leiden University; Le Yang, Leiden University Scientists question whether alarming reports of plastic particles in human organs are accurate or the result of laboratory contamination. The circular economy may not be taking off: Here are six ways stakeholders can make it happen Arne De Keyser, EDHEC Business School; Katrien Verleye, Ghent University Consumers and companies need help engaging in reuse, repair and other circular practices, which have environmental and economic benefits. When should dentists prescribe antibiotics? Some countries don't even have guidelines to answer this question Maruxa Zapata Cachafeiro, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; Mª de la Almudena Rodríguez Fernández, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Many countries' guidelines are unclear, lacking – or even nonexistent. The new US food pyramid is scientifically questionable, and upends decades of trusted public health advice Juan Alfonso Revenga Frauca, Universidad San Jorge; José Miguel Soriano del Castillo, Universitat de València Established procedures for writing new dietary guidelines were bypassed, including public consultation. From Hamburg to Uganda: how an NGO learned to reinvent itself Carolin Waldner, ESCP Business School; Andreas Rasche, Copenhagen Business School; Stephanie Schrage, University of Kiel A German NGO (VCA) supporting water and hygiene initiatives in Uganda sheds light on better ways for aid organisations to serve local communities and integrate staff on the ground.         You're receiving this newsletter from The Conversation The Conversation France (assoc. 1901) 14, rue Sainte-Cécile 75009 Paris Forward to a friend  •  Unsubscribe