#Socialmedia

A surge in online interest has fueled claims about “cortisol bellies” and “cortisol faces.” Viral posts and trending searches can magnify misinformation. For Thai audiences, it’s vital to separate catchy terms from solid science and consider how stress, lifestyle, and genetics shape health.

Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone.” It helps the body respond to stress and affects several systems, including metabolism, blood sugar, immune function, and fat storage. Data from recent health reporting shows that curiosity about cortisol, “trigger foods,” and supposed “cortisol detoxes” has risen sharply, reflecting anxiety about how stress might influence appearance and health.

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 rapidly evolving digital world is reshaping how Thai children learn, play, and grow. With screens ever-present, many families face questions about balance, sleep, and well-being. New global research highlights how technology touches attention, mood, and creativity, and what Thai parents can do now to support healthier development.

Digital access has surged in Thai households, especially after COVID-19, when devices became essential for learning, entertainment, and staying connected. Data from Thailand’s National Statistics Office indicates that a large majority of youth aged 6-24 use the internet daily, with smartphones as the primary access point. While this connectivity offers educational and social benefits, recent international findings reveal the subtler costs of an “always-on” routine on children’s focus, sleep quality, creativity, and emotional health.

In a fast-changing digital landscape, Thai parents face unprecedented challenges—some of which may come as a shock. As children grow up surrounded by screens, social media, and a seemingly endless cycle of online stimulation, their developing brains and emotional wellbeing may be at higher risk than previously understood. Recent research and global headlines underscore the importance of understanding the profound ways that technology is reshaping childhood—and what every parent needs to act on before it’s too late.

Hollywood actor Penn Badgley’s recent disclosure about his struggle with body dysmorphia has resonated widely, igniting crucial conversations about mental health, celebrity culture, and the influence of media on self-image both in the West and here in Thailand. In a heartfelt interview with The Guardian, Badgley—best known for his roles in “Gossip Girl” and “You”—shared, “I know that I hated my body and simply wanted a different one…I was jumping wilfully into, but also being thrust into, this world where the more conventionally beautiful I seemed, the more successful I might be, the more value I might have” (The Guardian). His frank admission has sparked international attention, highlighting the often-hidden torment experienced by people living with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and underscoring the urgent need for public awareness and intervention—especially in visually oriented societies.

Thai readers may remember the spectacular social media phenomenon a decade ago, when people across the world — from celebrities to schoolchildren — doused themselves in ice water for the original Ice Bucket Challenge. Launched in 2014, the trend raised over US$220 million globally for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), known in Thai as โรคกล้ามเนื้ออ่อนแรง (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and brought international attention to a previously little-known disease. Now, in 2025, the challenge is back — but with an urgent new purpose: breaking the silence around mental health, especially among young people (NBC News, New York Times).

In an era marked by economic volatility, global trade uncertainties, and the unrelenting pressure of leading large organizations, CEOs are reimagining their approaches to stress management—drawing from meditation, nature immersion, and even curated social media use to maintain their well-being. A recent report from Business Insider highlights how prominent executives are using a mix of traditional and modern wellness tactics to thrive under pressure, offering practical insights for leaders and professionals in Thailand who may be experiencing similar workplace stressors (Business Insider, 2025).

The Ice Bucket Challenge, which captivated the world in 2014 and raised more than US$220 million for ALS research, is back in 2025 with a new mission. This time, university students in the United States are steering a movement to break the silence around mental health among young people. The campaign uses the familiar ritual of pouring ice-cold water over the head, sharing the moment online, and tagging friends, but funds now support Active Minds, a nonprofit focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention.

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)

Executives worldwide are rethinking stress management as market volatility and demands of leadership persist. A new wave of high-profile leaders is turning to yoga, nature time, and carefully curated digital use to stay grounded. Insights from recent coverage show how these practices translate into practical strategies for Thai professionals facing similar pressures.

In Thailand, traditional values around calm, community, and balance—embodied in the idea of jai yen (cool heart)—resonate with modern wellness approaches. Mindfulness and physical health are increasingly viewed not as luxury but as essential foundations for effective leadership. Data from Thai health experts and international researchers suggest mindfulness and regular movement can reduce stress hormones and improve emotional regulation, offering measurable benefits for leaders navigating complex decisions.

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 recently shared personal account by Jacob Skidmore, an Ohio-based TikTok creator diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is igniting global and local conversations about stigma, mental health, and the reality of living with NPD. The story, covered by Newsweek and rapidly circulating on social media, highlights how individuals with this diagnosis face not only challenges from the disorder itself but also substantial social vilification and misunderstanding. For Thai readers, the viral nature of this discussion offers an opportunity to reflect on how mental health terminology and stigma play out both globally and in our own society.

A recent personal account shared by Jacob Skidmore, an Ohio-based TikTok creator diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), is fueling conversations about stigma, mental health, and living with NPD. The story, picked up by Newsweek and widely circulated online, highlights not only the challenges of the disorder but also the social backlash and misunderstanding that can accompany it. For Thai readers, the viral discussion offers an opportunity to examine how mental health language and stigma operate both globally and in Thai society.

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.

A revived version of the iconic “Ice Bucket Challenge” is sweeping across social media, this time with a heartfelt mission: raising awareness for mental health. Launched in April 2025 by Active Minds—a prominent US-based non-profit—the campaign encourages participants to douse themselves with ice water while sharing stories about mental health, aiming to spark conversation and end stigma worldwide. While reminiscent of the original ALS fundraising phenomenon of 2014, the new challenge’s “deeper meaning” lies in fostering an open dialogue about struggles that too often remain hidden, a cause especially resonant given today’s post-pandemic mental health crisis.

A revived Ice Bucket Challenge is taking social media by storm with a new purpose: mental health education and support. Launched in April 2025 by Active Minds, a US-based nonprofit, the campaign invites people to pour ice water over themselves while sharing personal stories about mental health. The idea is to spark open dialogue and reduce stigma, aligning with a broader post-pandemic focus on well-being.

Global mental health concerns are rising. The World Health Organization reports that up to one in eight people worldwide live with a mental health disorder. In Thailand, the Department of Mental Health notes growing anxiety and depressive symptoms among youth and working-age adults, a trend intensified by COVID-19 and rapid social change. Local outlets have documented the impact on daily life and workplace productivity.

A Jersey teenager’s choice to unplug from social media sparks a global conversation about teen mental health that resonates with Thai readers. Marina Jennings, who began using platforms like TikTok and Instagram at age 12, recently deleted TikTok and took a break from Instagram to protect her well-being. Her experience highlights how online life can affect anxiety and self-esteem, prompting calls for stronger online safety and youth welfare measures.

For Thailand, the issue is particularly timely. Smartphones are everyday tools, and social media often shapes how young people communicate and view themselves. In Thai culture, where community, respect, and social harmony matter greatly, digital interactions can both strengthen connections and intensify pressure to curate an ideal image. The rapid tech expansion brings these dynamics to both urban centers and rural communities across the country.

A new study highlights a troubling gap in help-seeking among teens facing mental health crises. Amid mounting academic, social, and personal pressures, many adolescents remain silent rather than reaching out for support, raising concerns about long-term well-being.

In the United States, a large survey of 17,000 high school students found that 42% reported symptoms of clinical depression. Among girls and LGBTQ+ youth, the figures are notably higher: 57% of girls and 69% of LGBTQ+ teens reported feeling depressed. Disturbingly, about one in three girls and one in two LGBTQ+ youths said they had considered suicide over the past year. Research by respected institutions underscores the urgency of these numbers and the need for accessible, stigma-free help.