The Brainisphere

10/24/2023

In one corner, Jim Steyer, the founder of Common Sense Media, is adamant in his belief about the role social media plays in the teen mental health crisis.

And even if the science and research don’t support his position, it has to be that the science is wrong. But either way, the science is doing a massive disservice to the cause of teen mental health by refusing to acknowledge the obvious culprit.

In the other comer, Candice Odgers, UC Irvine Professor of Psychological Science and Associate Dean of the School of Social Ecology, and co-director of the Child & Brain Development program for the global research organization CIFAR.

Ms. Odgers argues that the research simply doesn't support the hype and the outrage, and that perhaps by clinging to that outrage we're missing a chance to address the real culprits.

Check out the fascinating discussion at the Aspen Ideas Festival from June this year.

Social media platforms have become an integral part of the modern digital landscape, shaping how young individuals connect, communicate, and perceive the wor...

10/17/2023

Yet another good reason to get your flu shot?

It could help to stave off dementia and Alzheimer's as you get older.

Some exciting new studies are suggesting a link between keeping up with flu and other vaccines and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's.

10/16/2023

If you're interested in teen mental health, check out this fantastic and fantastically comprehensive article and collection of studies just published by Education Week.

Schools are on the front lines of what the U.S. Surgeon General has called “the defining public health crisis of our time.”

10/09/2023

Some recent albeit small experiments have shown that limiting our time on social media can make us feel a lot better. And surprise surprise, given that it's social media, restricting our diet to just 30 minutes a day can also help us feel less lonely.

So if you have kids, and especially teens, try your own experiment. See if you can persuade them to limit their social media use to just 30 minutes a day for one long, seemingly endless, agonizing week.

Then ask them to speak about or write down how it made them feel.

10/07/2023

Don't be a cynic. It doesn't make you smarter, it's not the same as skepticism, and it can harm your life in more than a dozen ways.

10/06/2023

Want to set your kids up for the best life? Get them into volunteering. Early, and often.

Delivers more than 20 mental and other health benefits, builds self-esteem, self-confidence, and resilience.

Connects to things like purpose, meaning, kindness, and giving, all of which are fantastic for brain health.

Exposes them to different lives, different people, different worlds, builds perspective and gratitude, and looks fantastic on college applications and resumes.

And it's great for the rest of the world too.

10/02/2023

If you want yet another way to stave off dementia, brush your teeth more often. Or just start brushing them. Yet more studies have suggested a link between poor dental hygiene, periodontal disease, and missing teeth, to a higher rate of dementia.