#Youthdevelopment

In a striking shift from older generations, new census findings show that many young Americans are delaying core adulthood milestones. By 1975, roughly half of Americans aged 25 to 34 had already moved out of their parents’ home, found steady work, married, and started a family. Fifty years later, less than a quarter have achieved all four of those traditional life markers. In 2024, about 28% of young adults lived on their own with jobs, yet the full bundle of moving out, marriage, and children no longer appears among the most common life-patterns. The big takeaway from the census analysis is that economic realities—rising housing costs, debt, and material living expenses—are reshaping how young people plan their lives and what they consider achievable in their early adult years.

A major international study warns that receiving a smartphone before age 13, especially for girls, may raise the risk of mental health challenges later on. The research analyzed more than 100,000 young adults aged 18 to 24 and highlights a digital dilemma for Thai families navigating rapid online change. Findings are supported by commentary from a leading U.S. broadcaster and underscore the need for Thailand to assess early device access and its long-term effects.

A groundbreaking international study has found that children who own smartphones before the age of 13—especially girls—face a significantly higher risk of developing mental health issues in later life. This research, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities and highlighted by ABC News, analyzed more than 100,000 young adults aged 18 to 24, shedding urgent light on a digital dilemma that increasingly resonates with Thai families navigating the rapid shift to online lifestyles (ABC News report).

A major policy update in New Zealand will raise in-study work hours for international students from 20 to 25 per week, starting November 3, 2025. The change is part of the International Education: Going for Growth Plan, designed to attract more overseas learners, including Thai students seeking financial support and practical work experience during study.

The move reflects evolving global education dynamics. With rising visa costs and tighter access in traditional destinations, New Zealand’s flexible approach strengthens its appeal for Thai families weighing overseas study options. The easier access to part-time work, combined with English-language instruction and a high quality of life, makes New Zealand a practical choice for many Thai students.

In a move set to reshape international education choices, New Zealand’s government has announced a significant easing of work restrictions for foreign students, raising the limit on in-study work hours from 20 to 25 per week starting November 3, 2025. The policy change is a central feature of the country’s newly launched International Education: Going for Growth Plan and is expected to enhance the nation’s appeal to overseas learners, including a rising number of Thai students seeking international experience and supplementary income while studying (NDTV).

A new study shows that adopted teenagers approach romance and relationships about the same as non-adopted youths. The findings challenge old assumptions about adoption and adolescent adjustment and offer reassurance to families and educators in Thailand and beyond.

In Thailand, attitudes toward adoption are evolving, yet misconceptions linger. Some parents and teachers worry that adopted youths may face emotional or social challenges in dating and intimacy. The latest evidence suggests these fears may be overstated.

Adopted teenagers navigate the world of romance and relationships in much the same way as their non-adopted peers, according to new research published recently. The study, highlighted by PsyPost, challenges longstanding assumptions about adoption and adolescent adjustment, offering reassurance to families and educators in Thailand and around the world.

This finding is of particular significance in Thailand, where societal attitudes towards adoption have slowly shifted but misconceptions persist. Parents and educators often worry that adopted youths may struggle emotionally or socially in ways that their non-adopted counterparts do not—especially in areas as complex as teenage love, dating, and intimacy.

A clear, practical path to strength training is emerging from recent expert discussions and fresh research. For Thai readers, the message is simple: choose a method you can perform consistently, feel comfortable with, and gradually progress. This approach fits Thailand’s rising health concerns, where obesity, diabetes, and heart disease trends underscore the role of resistance training in prevention and daily function.

Experts identify four main types of strength work: free weights, weight machines, resistance bands, and bodyweight routines. Each offers unique benefits, and a well-rounded plan can blend them to fit age, fitness level, and personal goals. Before starting any program, a medical check-up and professional coaching help prevent injuries and set a solid foundation.

In today’s fast-paced world, selecting the most effective strength training method can be perplexing for many. A recent discussion among internationally recognized experts sheds new light on which strategies work best, and why. Their guidance, supported by recent scientific studies, highlights a practical and inclusive approach for people of all ages — including Thais seeking healthier, longer, and more active lives (AP News).

Understanding the best way to build muscle and maintain health is now more critical than ever for Thai readers, as rates of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions continue to rise in Thailand (WHO Thailand). Strength or resistance training — sometimes called weight training — is increasingly recognized as a key tool for disease prevention, functional independence, and overall wellbeing. Yet, with multiple options available, from free weights to bodyweight routines, many Thais are unsure where to begin, or which path is most effective.

A recent nationwide study of the United States highlights notable regional disparities in education. The 2025 WalletHub analysis of 150 major cities shows Texas metros performing poorly in some measures, while Austin stands out as a high-performing education hub. The contrast mirrors Thailand’s ongoing efforts to close urban–rural gaps in student achievement.

The WalletHub ranking uses 11 metrics, including adult education levels, public school quality, university reputation, and disparities by race and gender. Data are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau and other reputable sources. In Texas, the Brownsville–Harlingen and McAllen–Edinburg–Mission area sits lower on the list, while the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown region ranks among the top national performers. National leaders include university hubs such as Ann Arbor, Durham, Madison, and San Jose.

Open, honest dialogue between parents and children is essential for healthy development in Thai families. When communication is strong, youths show better emotional health, fewer behavioral issues, and tighter family bonds. Trust is built through intentional actions that create a supportive home environment.

In Thailand, cultural norms around respect for elders and family hierarchy can suppress children’s voices. Yet Thai youths face mounting mental health challenges as society changes. Data from Thailand’s Department of Mental Health and UNICEF Thailand show a clear need for open dialogue to help young people navigate social media, school, and rapid change. Experts recommend internationally recognized strategies that can be thoughtfully adapted to Thai culture, providing practical tools for families.

A new wave of research and expert commentary is shedding light on the pivotal role of parental behavior in encouraging children to share openly and honestly. Drawing on the lead from a popular article, “Parents Whose Kids Feel Safe Telling Them Everything & Anything Did These 8 Things Right” as published on YourTango, experts are highlighting practical ways Thai parents can nurture trust and communication within families, inspired by evolving global standards for child wellbeing.

A recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal—titled “AI’s Biggest Threat: Young People Who Can’t Think”—has sparked intense debate across global education circles and among Thai educators. The article raises urgent concerns that artificial intelligence (AI), while transformative, may expose and even accelerate a crisis of eroding critical thinking skills among today’s youth. The implications reverberate beyond technology, stirring questions for education systems in Thailand and across the world about how to prepare the next generation for an AI-dominated future.

A growing debate over AI and education is shaping how Thailand prepares its students for an AI-powered future. A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece warned that AI could magnify a crisis in critical thinking among young people, not by outpacing humans in math, but by dulling the analytical and creative muscles that drive innovation. For Thai educators, policymakers, and parents, the question is how to balance technology with robust thinking skills in a rapidly digitizing classroom landscape.

A new study in the Journal of Psychology shows that how parents bond with their children can influence a young adult’s life satisfaction. The emotional pathways involved are anxiety and anger. Findings from an Italian university indicate that overprotective parenting can increase anxiety, while warm, caring parenting helps with anger control, ultimately affecting overall happiness in emerging adulthood. This research offers useful insights for Thai families, educators, and policymakers aiming to nurture resilient, well-adjusted youth.

New findings published in the Journal of Psychology reveal that the way parents bond with their children can influence a young adult’s life satisfaction, and that this impact often travels through two powerful emotions: anxiety and anger. The study, led by researchers at an Italian university, shows that overprotective parenting may inadvertently fuel anxiety, while warm, caring parenting seems to promote better anger control—both of which affect how satisfied emerging adults are with their lives. This research shines new light on age-old questions faced by Thai families and educators about how to nurture resilient, well-adjusted future generations (PsyPost).

A Google software engineer’s candid guidance is circulating among Thai students as they navigate a highly competitive tech job market. The interview highlights a clear path: secure early internships, master problem-solving fundamentals, and manage applications with an organized strategy. For Thai computer science students, these insights come at a time when global tech layoffs and AI-driven shifts are reshaping hiring expectations.

With new graduates entering a challenging landscape, the engineer’s advice feels timely. He notes that first- and second-year internship programs often have a markedly lower hiring bar, with interviews tailored to earlier-stage students. This approach helps applicants build confidence and gain practical experience before competing with near-graduates. Thai educators echo this sentiment, emphasizing that structured internships improve interview readiness and allow students to tailor their preparation for each company and round.

A Google software engineer’s practical advice for students aspiring to enter the tech industry is making waves after his recent interview provided a reality check—and a roadmap—amid fierce competition for software jobs. The engineer, who secured a full-time position at Google after two successive summer internships, advocates for seizing early internship opportunities, mastering problem-solving fundamentals, and strategically positioning oneself through organized job search tactics. His insights offer much-needed clarity for Thai computer science students facing a challenging global job market reshaped by a recent wave of tech layoffs and the growing presence of artificial intelligence.

Building a better relationship with your teenage children may be as simple as breaking a sweat together, according to emerging research and new discussion in international media. The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the value of shared physical activity between parents and teens, not only in promoting good health but also in fostering open communication and mutual respect within families [WSJ via MSN]. For Thai parents facing the challenges of a changing social landscape and fast-evolving adolescent culture, this research offers practical ways to strengthen family ties through fitness—a subject deeply relevant as Thailand faces both rising physical inactivity rates and new stresses in parent-teen relationships.

New research and ongoing discussions in international media suggest a simple, practical path to stronger parent–teen relationships: exercise as a family. A recent feature in The Wall Street Journal highlighted how shared physical activity promotes health, openness, and mutual respect. For Thai parents navigating a changing social landscape and evolving adolescent culture, the idea translates into actionable steps to deepen family bonds through fitness—particularly as Thailand faces rising inactivity and growing stresses in parent–teen dynamics.

A new international study finds that problematic pornography use tends to stay stable over time and is strongly connected to mental distress. For health experts and policymakers, the findings emphasize that support should target those already struggling rather than expecting a rapid surge in cases. The research also highlights the mental health implications of online adult content in an era of widespread internet access, which is highly relevant to Thailand’s increasingly digital society.

A new study has revealed that problematic pornography use tends to remain stable over time and is strongly associated with mental distress, reshaping the way health experts and policymakers perceive the issue and its impact, including in Thailand’s increasingly digital society. The findings bring attention to the ongoing debate about the effects of online pornography, especially its potentially serious implications on mental health, societal well-being, and youth development.

The report, as summarised in PsyPost, highlights that while rates of problematic pornography use do not appear to be rapidly increasing in the population, individuals who already struggle with compulsive pornography consumption tend to maintain these patterns. Crucially, the research draws a clear link between problematic use and higher rates of mental distress, such as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and emotional instability.

Imagine standing on a ramp as tall as a two-story building, facing a winding dirt track. Eight riders brace for the countdown as an electronic voice prompts when the gate will drop. In an instant, they surge forward in a compact, chaotic sprint toward the first corner. BMX Racing at the Olympics is a 30 to 40-second burst of power, risk, and precision. Here’s how the sport works, from gear to rules, with Thai context woven in.

A groundbreaking “mega-study” has delivered some of the strongest evidence yet that regular physical exercise sharpens thinking, memory, and mental focus across all ages and health conditions—a finding with sweeping implications for families, students, and Thailand’s rapidly aging population. Drawing on an unprecedented review of more than 2,700 clinical trials, the study, published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that nearly everyone—children, adults, older people, and those with health challenges—reaped cognitive benefits from exercise routines as simple as walking, yoga, or dance (PsyPost).