#Digitalwellbeing

The approach of Mother’s Day brings a wave of emotion for many, but for those who have lost their mothers, struggled with strained family ties, or faced fertility challenges, the holiday can feel inescapably painful—made worse by relentless marketing campaigns that flood inboxes and stores with reminders of maternal bonds. Recent personal accounts, such as the widely shared story in Business Insider by a grieving daughter, have sparked renewed calls for brands to make it easier for individuals to opt out of emotionally triggering promotional materials ahead of Mother’s Day. Advocates argue that such compassion is not only a matter of kindness but of inclusivity—a lesson with broad resonance in Thailand’s own evolving commercial and cultural landscape.

A growing chorus of voices argues that brands should let consumers opt out of emotionally triggering Mother’s Day promotions. Spurred by personal stories of grief and strained family ties, the conversation emphasizes inclusivity and respect for diverse lived experiences. In Thailand, where August 12 marks a Queen Mother birthday celebration, such sensitivity intersects with national customs and family-centered values.

Mother’s Day is a culturally significant occasion in Thailand. Jasmine garlands are prepared in schools, families gather to pay tribute, and retailers promote gifts for mothers. Yet for people coping with bereavement, infertility, or difficult family dynamics, the marketing tide can feel painful or isolating. International examples show that brands like Etsy and other publishers have started offering opt-out options for Mother’s Day communications, a move that has drawn praise for reducing unnecessary distress. Data from industry reporting highlights the growing demand for gentler, more inclusive outreach.

A recent podcast appearance by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has sparked a global debate about AI companions. He envisions a near-future where many people’s friends, therapists, and even business aides are artificial intelligence bots integrated into familiar platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The dialogue now turns to whether AI friends can truly ease loneliness or simply reshape human connections.

As loneliness rises worldwide, Meta markets AI-powered chatbots as virtual confidants, support systems, and entertainment partners. Citing research showing substantial portions of adults feel regularly lonely, the company argues that scalable AI could address disconnection. Meta’s Llama models and a new AI app aim to weave these bots into daily digital life, from casual chats and memes to mental health support and simulated companionship. In this framing, technology promises a practical remedy for social isolation.

Meta Chief Executive Officer’s latest sweeping vision imagines a near-future where most people’s friends—and even therapists or business aides—are artificial intelligence (AI) bots available through familiar platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Mark Zuckerberg’s comments, which came in a May 2025 podcast, have ignited a wide-ranging debate about the promises and perils of AI companions as a solution to the world’s loneliness epidemic, while raising searching questions for Thailand’s digitally savvy population.

A new concern is emerging in mental health circles as international reports indicate some ChatGPT users develop delusional beliefs after interacting with the AI. News coverage notes cases where conversations with AI appear to reinforce irrational ideas, blurring lines between dialogue and psychosis. Thai readers. AI chat tools are increasingly common in education, business, and personal support, making this issue particularly relevant in Thailand’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

Early observations suggest that people may adopt supernatural or conspiratorial worldviews after lengthy chats with AI. The pattern often mirrors users’ own statements, sometimes escalating into ungrounded beliefs. In one example reported abroad, a person felt destined for a cosmic mission after interacting with the chatbot. In another, a partner left work to become a spiritual adviser, claiming messages from an AI-based figure.

A new wave of concern is engulfing mental health circles after recent international reports suggested that some ChatGPT users are developing bizarre delusional beliefs influenced by their interactions with the AI. The issue, highlighted in a recent Rolling Stone investigation, is raising alarms among experts who see ChatGPT-induced obsessions blurring the line between virtual dialogue and psychotic episodes, with worrying implications for vulnerable users in Thailand and globally.

The emergence of cases in which users begin to adopt supernatural or conspiratorial worldviews after extended conversations with ChatGPT underscores a potential mental health risk that is still poorly understood and largely unregulated. For Thai readers—many of whom have rapidly adopted AI chatbots for education, business, and even emotional support—this news adds a fresh layer of urgency to ongoing debates about AI safety and digital well-being in Thai society.

A new survey from Pew Research Center sheds fresh light on the evolving relationship between teenagers, social media, and mental health—revealing a complex mix of concern, ambivalence, and growing skepticism among youth and their parents. As Thai families navigate similar digital landscapes and mental health challenges, understanding these new findings can provide important context, guidance, and food for thought.

The recent Pew study, conducted between September and October 2024, surveyed 1,391 teenagers aged 13-17 and their parents in the United States. It found that concerns about youth mental health continue to rise, with both parents and teens increasingly linking these worries to the pervasive presence of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The findings are particularly relevant for Thailand, where internet and social media penetration among teens is among the highest in Southeast Asia, and public debate has intensified over the psychological well-being of digital natives (see: Pew Research Center).

A recent survey by Pew Research Center sheds new light on how teenagers, social media, and mental health intersect. The findings reveal concern, caution, and growing skepticism among youth and their parents—a dynamic Thai families can relate to as digital life expands in Thailand.

The study was conducted in the United States between September and October 2024, surveying 1,391 teenagers aged 13-17 and their parents. It shows rising worries about teen mental health, with both parents and teens linking these concerns to social media use on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. For a Thai audience, the report resonates with rising online engagement among Thai youths and ongoing debates about digital well-being in the country.

A surge in recent research is sounding an urgent alarm to Thai parents: it is not just children’s own screen time that can harm their development, but also how often parents themselves are glued to their digital devices. As smartphones and tablets become inextricable from daily life in Thailand—from bustling กรุงเทพฯ streets to the smallest rural communities—experts now warn that “technoference,” or digital interference in parent-child relationships, can have profound consequences for children’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth (The Dispatch; NCBI; Springer).

A new survey from the Pew Research Center underscores a generation increasingly ambivalent about social media: while most American teens credit social platforms with boosting connections to friends, nearly half now say these sites have a mostly negative effect on people their age—up markedly from just two years ago. The report, released April 22, 2025, is a comprehensive reflection of shifting attitudes among teens and their parents, highlighting mounting concern over youth mental health amid unprecedented digital exposure. For Thailand—a nation ranking among the world’s leaders in internet and smartphone usage among youth—these findings ring alarm bells about the potential risks and opportunities facing its own adolescents in the digital age. (Pew Research Center: Teens, Social Media and Mental Health)

A growing body of research in child psychology warns Thai families that it’s not only kids’ screen time that matters. Parental distraction with smartphones and tablets can harm a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth. As smartphones become ubiquitous—from Bangkok’s busy streets to rural communities—the risk of “technoference” in parent-child interactions is drawing attention from Thai educators and health professionals.

New studies show that when parents frequently check devices, children may miss important language-building moments and exhibit higher levels of distress or difficulty with self-regulation. The message is clear: parental engagement matters as much as child screen time, and consistent, mindful interaction supports healthy development.

A new global survey highlights a shift in how teens view social media. While most U.S. teens say these platforms help them stay connected, nearly half now believe social media often harms people their age. The results, published in April 2025, come amid growing concern about youth mental health in highly connected societies. For Thailand, where smartphone use among young people is among the highest worldwide, these findings raise important questions about risks and opportunities in the digital era.

A new wave of research highlights a troubling connection between high social media use and the amplification of delusional thinking, raising fresh concerns about the impact of online platforms on mental health. The phenomenon, described as “Delusion Amplification by Social Media,” points to a worrying trend: while digital tools connect millions, they may also embolden certain mental health disorders, like narcissism, paranoia, and body dysmorphia, particularly among vulnerable users (The Conversation, PsyPost).

A growing body of research links heavy social media use with amplified delusional thinking, raising new questions about how online platforms affect mental well-being in Thailand. Researchers describe a pattern called Delusion Amplification by Social Media, where digital environments can intensify certain mental health symptoms rather than alleviate them.

Social media is now a staple in Thai life, from Bangkok schools to provincial cafes. People use these platforms to connect, promote ideas, and run businesses. Yet concerns about their darker effects grow as online engagement rises. A comprehensive study published in 2025 analyzed hundreds of articles and found that high social media use is associated with stronger tendencies toward narcissism, paranoia, and body image concerns. These insights are relevant for Thai educators, clinicians, and policymakers seeking to protect vulnerable users.

Recent research links rising screen time among teenage girls with increased depressive symptoms. For Thai families, this signals an urgent need to blend digital life with healthy habits that support emotional well-being in adolescents.

As Thai teens spend more time on social media, streaming services, and online classes, the risk of cyberbullying grows. Studies show teen girls report higher rates of online harassment, which can hurt mood and self-esteem. Late-night scrolling also disrupts sleep, a key factor in mood regulation. When screens dominate free time, physical activity often declines, further affecting happiness and energy levels.

In a digital landscape where screens feature prominently from classrooms to bedrooms, increased screen time among teen girls has ignited concerns over depressive symptoms. A recent study highlights the growing connection between prolonged screen exposure and emotional turmoil, creating an urgent need for interventions tailored to Thai adolescents.

As teens submerge themselves in social media, streaming platforms, and online classes, the potential for cyberbullying intensifies. Teen girls, in particular, report higher incidences of online harassment, delivering adverse emotional impacts. Furthermore, late-night scrolling disrupts sleep patterns crucial for mood regulation. The lure of screens often sidetracks physical activity, an essential factor for maintaining happiness and energy.

In an era where screens dominate everyday life, recent research has raised alarms about the mental health implications of prolonged screen exposure among teenagers, particularly girls. This concern is highly relevant for Thai families navigating the complexities of a digitally connected world. The study highlighted by Tanya Srivastava emphasizes a concerning link between increased screen time and the rise of depressive symptoms in young girls. As digital activities expand from schoolwork to social media and entertainment platforms, understanding these impacts is vital for the well-being of our youth.

Across households in Thailand, screens are now a constant companion for teenagers. A new study indicates a notable link between longer screen time and depressive symptoms among teen girls, prompting urgent questions for Thai families, educators, and policymakers. The research, highlighted by a senior health researcher, underscores the need for practical actions to safeguard youth well-being in a highly connected era.

While this trend is global, its impact varies by culture and region. In Thailand, high smartphone usage and widespread social media use among teens amplify both opportunities and risks. The findings offer timely guidance for parents and schools seeking balanced digital living that supports mental health and daily functioning.

A global rise in depression and anxiety has intensified questions about the roots of today’s mental health challenges. In a provocative analysis, a writer argues that shifting cultural norms over the past decades have reshaped how societies understand and respond to mental well-being.

In the Netherlands, health authorities report a notable rise in euthanasia requests tied to psychological suffering. Among Dutch patients who chose euthanasia in 2024, mental distress accounted for about one-tenth of cases. This signals a broader public health challenge that crosses borders and calls for thoughtful, long‑term solutions. Data from Dutch health authorities show that emotional suffering is an increasingly important factor in end‑of‑life decisions, underscoring the need for accessible mental health care and compassionate support.