#Youth

The American Bible Society released new data showing Gen Z adults score lowest for church engagement in the United States. (State of the Bible chapter 5 press release (State of the Bible Chapter 5)).

The study links higher church engagement with higher measures of human flourishing. (State of the Bible chapter 5 press release (State of the Bible Chapter 5)).

The finding matters for Thai faith groups. (State of the Bible chapter 5 press release (State of the Bible Chapter 5)).

A new longitudinal analysis of UK cohort data finds that children who test as “bright” at age five but grow up in low‑income families maintain academic parity with richer peers through primary school, only to experience a marked drop in school engagement, behaviour, mental health and exam outcomes during the move to secondary school between about ages 11 and 14. The paper — based on the Millennium Cohort Study and reported in a working paper and later published in Research in Social Stratification and Mobility — shows large gaps by the end of compulsory schooling: bright children from poor homes are roughly 26 percentage points less likely to secure top maths GCSE grades and about 21 points less likely to secure top English grades than equivalently high‑scoring peers from the richest families, after statistical adjustments link to working paper/summary and link to journal listing. For Thai educators and policymakers watching aspirations and social mobility, the study raises a clear alarm: early talent alone is not enough; the school transition matters, and social disadvantage can erode promise during early adolescence.

Young people in Surrey who have been out of school for months are reporting reduced anxiety and renewed confidence after taking part in an outreach programme that pairs them with animals as part of a broader therapeutic education offer — a small-scale, community-led model that experts say reflects a growing international evidence base for animal-assisted approaches while also underlining the need for careful design, safeguards and evaluation before wider roll‑out in other countries, including Thailand. The Surrey project, run by therapeutic education provider Elysian and funded through the Surrey All‑Age Mental Health Investment Fund, supports children and teenagers aged 7–19 who have been away from school for three months or more by using “gentle, creative approaches — involving time with animals — to reduce anxiety and build trust,” according to Elysian’s inclusion and outreach lead, quoted in reporting on the programme BBC News. Surrey Heartlands NHS leaders who visited the scheme described observable improvements in young people “overcoming anxiety and getting back into the world” BBC News.

Young people in Surrey, England who have been absent from school for months are experiencing remarkable reductions in anxiety and renewed confidence through an innovative outreach program that pairs therapeutic education with animal interaction, offering a community-based model that mental health experts believe could be successfully adapted for Thai cultural contexts while addressing the growing crisis of school avoidance among adolescents. The Surrey initiative, operated by therapeutic education provider Elysian and funded through a £10.5 million countywide Mental Health Investment Fund, targets children and teenagers aged 7-19 who have been out of school for three months or more, using what organizers describe as “gentle, creative approaches involving time with animals to reduce anxiety and build trust.” Local NHS leadership visiting the program have documented observable improvements in young people “overcoming anxiety and getting back into the world,” suggesting that animal-assisted interventions could complement Thailand’s existing school counseling and mental health services. The success of this community-led approach highlights the potential for culturally-sensitive adaptations that leverage Thailand’s strong traditions of animal care and Buddhist principles of compassion to address youth mental health challenges.

A viral internet compilation documenting seven instances where older adults offered advice that seems hopelessly out of touch with contemporary realities has sparked global conversations about widening generational divides that extend far beyond cultural differences to encompass fundamental economic, technological, and social transformations affecting how young people navigate housing, employment, education, and mental health. The widely-shared listicle, which began as entertainment, exposes deeper structural shifts that render traditional life strategies—“just buy a house,” “college guarantees success,” “tough it out”—not merely outdated but potentially harmful for younger generations facing unprecedented challenges in accessing homeownership, stable employment, and economic security. For Thai readers, this generational friction reflects familiar tensions visible across Bangkok high-rises, Chiang Mai universities, and family gatherings throughout the kingdom, where traditional expectations collide with contemporary realities of inflated housing costs, precarious gig economy employment, and evolving mental health awareness. Most significantly, comprehensive data from housing markets, labor statistics, and educational institutions demonstrates that younger people’s apparent “entitlement” or “lack of resilience” often represents rational responses to genuinely changed economic conditions that require updated strategies rather than moral lectures about character and persistence.

A viral roundup titled “7 times boomers proved they’re completely out of touch with reality” has reignited a global conversation about a widening generational divide — not just about attitudes, but about economics, mental health, work and the basic rules of adulthood VegOut. What began as a punchy listicle that lampooned tired advice — “just buy a house,” “college fixes everything,” “toughen up” — quickly exposes deeper structural shifts that make many older-era playbooks impractical or even harmful for younger generations. For Thai readers, the piece is more than internet schadenfreude: it holds up a mirror to similar tensions in Bangkok apartments, Chiang Mai co‑working spaces and family dinner tables across the country, and prompts a look at evidence from housing data, labour reports and mental‑health research that explain why younger people are frustrated, anxious and changing their life plans.

Groundbreaking Spanish research reveals that children as young as twelve possess sophisticated understanding of adult content platforms like OnlyFans, viewing these digital marketplaces as viable alternatives to traditional employment while demonstrating alarming normalization of sexualized content consumption and creation. The comprehensive study involving 164 high school students aged twelve to sixteen exposes how hypersexualized digital culture fundamentally alters adolescent perceptions of economic opportunity, self-worth, and sexuality in ways that demand urgent attention from Thai parents, educators, and policymakers. These findings carry profound implications for Thailand, where social media adoption reaches extraordinary levels while conversations about online safety and youth mental health gain unprecedented urgency throughout communities nationwide.

A new study has raised alarms among parents, educators, and policy-makers after revealing that adolescents as young as 12 not only know about OnlyFans but view it as a potentially appealing and empowering way to earn money, setting it alongside or even above traditional work or educational pathways. The research, conducted in Spain and published in Sexuality & Culture, uncovers how the normalization of erotic content platforms is influencing how young people, especially girls, perceive economic opportunity, self-worth, and sexuality (PsyPost).

A strange new collectible has taken Thailand—and the global internet—by storm. Over the past few months, wild-eyed, snaggle-toothed little creatures known as Labubu have appeared dangling from backpacks, crowding keychains, and starring in viral YouTube unboxing videos. To many, their sudden popularity seemed to come from nowhere. The fever hit new heights after a famous K-pop star was spotted carrying a Labubu, instantly launching them into the imaginations and wishlists of a generation. Now, they’re the must-have item for young Thais and adults alike, with some rare versions fetching eye-watering prices in local and international collectible markets.

New research published in the Journal of Marriage and Family challenges the age-old adage that money can’t buy love, suggesting instead that financial stability may be a key factor in opening people up to romantic relationships. The twin studies, led by professors from the University of Toronto and Carleton University, analyzed data collected from over 4,800 single adults in the United States and Germany. Their findings show that single individuals with higher incomes are not only more likely to desire a relationship, but also feel more prepared for one and, ultimately, are more likely to enter into a partnership (phys.org; University of Toronto news).

A growing body of research, supported by recent personal narratives, is challenging the notion that being alone is synonymous with loneliness—offering hope and practical strategies for Thais grappling with these feelings in a hyper-connected world. Drawing from recent evidence and expert analysis, the new perspectives suggest that learning to appreciate solitude, rather than fearing it, can not only ease feelings of invisibility but also boost overall mental well-being.

The significance of this evolving understanding is underscored by both lived experience and hard data. As recounted in a popular piece published by VegOut Magazine, the author describes a journey from feeling “invisible” in crowds or isolated with only social media for company, to actively embracing solo time as a source of self-knowledge and fulfillment. The article draws on the Harvard Making Caring Common project’s research, revealing that 36% of Americans report “serious loneliness”, including 61% of young adults—most strikingly, many are not physically isolated but feel emotionally disconnected even among friends and family vegoutmag.com, mcc.gse.harvard.edu/loneliness-project.

A new wave of research and social commentary is sparking heated debate about how Generation Z – those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s – are “protecting their peace” in ways that older generations often view as avoidance or shirking of responsibility. The recently published feature in VegOut Magazine highlights nine key behaviors, such as ghosting, preemptive blocking, and “therapy speak” shutdowns, which are being reevaluated in both Western and Asian societies, including Thailand, for their impacts on mental health, workplace culture, family relationships, and social cohesion (VegOutMag.com).

The rapid rise of mental health conversations on social media has brought newfound openness to a previously stigmatized subject. Yet, alongside this positive trend is a surge of misinformation that experts warn can worsen confusion, delay proper help, and even cause harm. The challenge for Thais—especially millions of digital-savvy youth navigating platforms from Facebook to TikTok—is to distinguish helpful, evidence-based advice from misleading, sometimes dangerous myths. This report explains why mental health misinformation online is an escalating problem, the risks it poses, and what can be done to stay safe and informed.

A new study reveals that nearly 75% of American teenagers have experimented with artificial intelligence (AI) tools—apps and chatbots designed to simulate conversation—for flirting, seeking advice, or chatting about life. Yet, despite AI’s growing role in adolescent lives, the majority still prefer real-life friendships and face-to-face interactions, according to research released Wednesday by Common Sense Media, a leading child-advocacy nonprofit NPR.

This revelation holds particular significance for Thai educators, parents, and policy-makers as social technology and AI-integrated apps become more embedded in youth culture worldwide. As Thai teens increasingly engage with digital platforms, understanding the social patterns, risks, and preferences illuminated by U.S. findings can help anticipate similar trends in Thailand—and shape timely response strategies.

The personal experience recounted in a recent Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece—of an individual forced to sever ties with conservative, immigrant parents after coming out as LGBTQ+—is not only poignant but also, sadly, emblematic of a wider pattern documented by international and Thai research. As dialogue around LGBTQ+ acceptance grows more visible in public and family spheres, scientists are compiling evidence that family rejection sharply increases mental health risks, but that targeted interventions and rising social support can, over time, help break cycles of alienation and trauma.

A recent feature in Slate has spotlighted an emerging challenge for parents in multicultural societies: supporting a teenager’s desire to explore organized religion, especially in a context that crosses both ethnic and denominational boundaries. The article, published on June 27, 2025, under the headline “Help! My Son Wants to Go to Church. Uh, I’m Not Sure I Can Support This,” addresses the nuanced emotions that arise when a young person’s spiritual curiosity diverges from family tradition—and ventures into sacred spaces with deep-seated cultural histories (slate.com).

A startling new survey by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has found that one in four young people in England now lives with a mental health condition, highlighting a growing crisis that has implications far beyond British borders—including for Thailand’s youth. The figure, revealed this week, underscores mounting concerns among educators, policymakers, and medical professionals, as rates of depression, anxiety, and related disorders soar among adolescents. Mental health experts say the findings should serve as a wake-up call for countries worldwide, including Thailand, given the parallels in academic pressures, social media influence, and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent research highlights a global shift: with the average human lifespan rising rapidly, younger generations are poised to experience profoundly different careers, family lives, and retirement than any generation before. According to a new analysis shared by ROAR Forward and featured in a US media report, life expectancy in developed nations has ballooned from 62 years a century ago to approximately 80 today, with experts forecasting over 20 million centenarians worldwide by 2100. This longevity revolution is sending ripple effects across societies—and nowhere are those effects more relevant than in rapidly aging Asian nations like Thailand.

A recent study has found that young men who struggle to adapt their thoughts and behaviors related to body image and exercise are significantly more likely to develop unhealthy exercise habits—especially if they have a strong desire to build muscle. The findings, published in Eating Behaviors and reported by PsyPost, highlight a psychological factor that might help explain why some men in Thailand and around the world develop dangerous exercise routines or compulsions.

China’s bold experiment in introducing artificial intelligence (AI) education to primary schoolers is sending shockwaves through classrooms—and corporate boardrooms—around the world. As six-year-olds in Beijing begin learning about the building blocks of AI, over 250 chief executives from top global companies, including Microsoft, Airbnb, and Uber, are demanding similar lessons for American students in the hopes of unlocking economic and social benefits on a global scale (Fortune, MSN). The move marks a pivotal moment not just for the United States, which is now scrambling to keep pace, but for Thailand and the wider world, where the question is no longer whether AI belongs in childhood education—but when and how.

A growing body of research is challenging our instinctive avoidance of boredom, suggesting that our constant efforts to escape it—especially through smartphones—may be undermining both our mental health and the potential for meaningful self-discovery. Recent findings discussed in The Guardian highlight the complexity of boredom’s role in the digital age and spark fresh debate on how Thai society should approach this underestimated emotion.

Thais, like people everywhere, live in an era saturated with digital distractions. Whether waiting in line at a food stall, riding the BTS Skytrain, or enduring a lull during classroom lectures, the reflex for many is to reach for a smartphone. The implications run deeper than wasted time: a new consensus among psychologists is that boredom, although often uncomfortable, serves an important function similar to hunger or loneliness by prompting us toward more engaging or meaningful pursuits.

A recent wave of international rankings has put Singapore in the spotlight, designating the city-state as the third happiest city in the world, behind only Copenhagen and Zurich according to the 2025 Happy City Index (CNBC). Yet, this glowing reputation has triggered a complex reaction among Singaporeans themselves, echoing a broader debate across Asia—including Thailand—about what true happiness means in highly structured societies.

Singapore’s strong position on the index, published by the Institute for the Quality of Life, was determined by an extensive assessment across six key categories: citizens’ well-being, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility. Notably, 2025 marks the first year the index included health in its evaluation—an addition reflecting increased global concerns about physical and mental wellness after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A groundbreaking international study has unveiled four distinct psychological profiles among video game players, offering fresh insights into how emotional regulation and attachment styles influence both healthy and problematic gaming. The research, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, analyzed responses from over 5,000 gamers from 112 countries, revealing nuanced patterns that challenge stereotypes about gaming addiction and its relationship to mental health (PsyPost).

In recent years, video gaming has permeated all spheres of Thai society—from bustling internet cafes in Bangkok to family living rooms in Chiang Mai—spurring both celebration and concern. As children, teens, and adults across Thailand become avid gamers, debates flare about the possible dangers of excessive gaming. The Thai Ministry of Public Health has warned about youth gaming addiction, linking it to academic decline and mental health problems, while parents and educators seek clearer guidance on identifying unhealthy behavior. The latest research, conducted by academics from ISPA – Instituto Universitário and the APPsyCI Applied Psychology Research Center, provides a more sophisticated framework for understanding who is truly at risk and why.

Recent scientific research has revealed that individuals with narcissistic personality traits are more susceptible to developing an addiction to social networking sites, highlighting concerns about mental health in the digital age. This study, which synthesises findings from multiple prior investigations, offers important insights for Thai parents, teachers, and mental health professionals as social media use continues to surge across the kingdom.

The rise of social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) has dramatically changed the way people interact, share information, and cultivate their identities. According to recent statistics, Thailand is among the world’s most active countries on social media, with over 52 million users as of 2024, accounting for more than 74% of the population (DataReportal). This trend has facilitated both increased social connectedness and, unfortunately, a growing prevalence of problematic or compulsive usage, sometimes classified as social networking site addiction (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).