#Adolescents

Florida lawmakers are debating a bill that would require parental consent for minors to receive treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception and even to complete certain school health surveys — a proposal critics say comes as teen STI rates in the state are at their highest in more than a decade and could push vulnerable young people away from lifesaving care. The bill, SB 1288, advanced through a Senate Pre‑K‑12 committee in late March after heated testimony from sexual‑assault survivors, public‑health advocates and clinicians who warned that removing confidential access risks higher rates of untreated infections and unintended pregnancies — outcomes that public‑health research links to policies that restrict adolescent confidentiality in sexual and reproductive health services (Florida Phoenix; Tallahassee Democrat). The debate in Florida is a stark reminder for Thailand that policy changes limiting adolescents’ confidential access to STI testing, treatment and contraception can have measurable public‑health consequences — especially where sex education is inconsistent and cultural stigma around adolescent sexuality remains strong.

A 15-year-old’s confession that she stumbled on her father’s anonymous Reddit posts — private-seeming messages that aired resentment toward his partner, guilt about parenthood and even sharp words about his daughter — has drawn fresh attention to a little-studied but increasingly common family fault line: what happens when parents use the internet as an emotional diary in a household where children share devices. The Slate advice column that published the teenager’s letter framed the dilemma as both a privacy breach and a worrying red flag for parental mental health; researchers say the episode is precisely the kind of everyday encounter that illuminates how family communication, adolescent wellbeing and online culture now overlap in complex ways (Slate). Recent psychology research on adolescent information management, studies of online parenting communities and public-health guidance on social media suggest that the consequences can be serious — for teens who feel forced into an adult role and for parents who use public platforms to vent without support.

A new wave of research is sounding the alarm for parents, educators, and policymakers as a groundbreaking study published in June details how excessive screen time, coupled with low physical activity, is strongly associated with heightened stress and depressive symptoms among adolescents. This study, highlighted in PsyPost, brings fresh evidence to the ongoing debate over youth digital habits and their mental health in an era where smartphones and social media are nearly ubiquitous, especially in Thailand’s school-age population.

A new study suggests that the manner in which parents respond during conflicts with their adolescent daughters may be a significant predictor of suicidal thoughts in these girls, highlighting a crucial dynamic in family interactions that could impact mental health outcomes. This research, recently covered by PsyPost, offers valuable insights for families, educators, and mental health professionals grappling with the rising tide of youth mental health issues in Thailand and beyond.

A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that depression is now more common among Americans than ever before, with treatment rates falling short despite growing awareness—a development that brings important lessons for health policymakers and families across Thailand. The report, based on data from 2021 to 2023, found that over one in eight Americans aged 12 and older have experienced depression recently, almost double the rate reported just a decade ago. Yet, only about 40% of those affected pursued counseling or therapy for their symptoms, highlighting a persistent gap between need and access to care (CNN).