Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had a popular Instagram account before stepping back from her official royal roles in 2020. She hinted at returning to the platform in a 2022 interview with New York Magazine's The Cut, but expressed concerns about harassment. Meghan and her husband Prince Harry have since spoken out on the need for social media platforms to strengthen content-moderation policies to protect young people's mental health.
https://apnews.com/article/meghan-markle-duchess-sussex-instagram-2025-06fc46f446f079aec0d90a2dcfe0713aThis year's Oxford Word Of The Year is 'brain rot', a term first introduced by Henry Thoreau in 1854 to describe the deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state due to overconsumption of low-quality content. This theme has been particularly prevalent on TikTok, where younger generations have created and consumed content that contributes to brain rot. The concept is ironic as it was popularized by the same communities responsible for creating this type of content.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-14226117/Dictionary-Corner-year-brat-demure-delulu-succumbed-brain-rot.htmlReality TV star Glanville has been advised by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Sykes to focus on identifying the cause of her facial disfigurement before undergoing further procedures. She was previously diagnosed with stress-induced angioedema and has spoken publicly about how it has affected her life and mental health, sharing photos of herself looking healthier after prioritizing wellness.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14222513/brandi-glanville-plastic-surgery-facial-disfigurement.htmlDr. Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Hampshire, has identified several warning signs of fake friendships on TikTok. According to Dr. Smith, one major red flag is when someone's behavior changes after something good happens in your life, indicating they may not be genuinely invested in your well-being.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14186441/Im-psychologist-three-subtle-signs-friend-fake.htmlJewel Topsfield has written an article titled "Inside the psychology of ageing" for The Sydney Morning Herald. In it, she explores the concept of ageing as a state of mind and how it is not solely defined by physical appearance or cosmetics. Topsfield argues that ageism is a significant issue in society, but individuals can take steps to reframe their perception of growing older and focus on the privileges that come with it.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/ageing-well-is-a-state-of-mind-it-doesn-t-require-cosmetics-20241223-p5l0b7.htmlIn a personal account, a woman reflects on how societal pressure to conform to beauty standards contributed to her struggles with bulimia. She notes that comments about her appearance, particularly when she was younger, made her feel validated and reinforced the idea that her worth was tied to her body size. This dynamic is linked to a broader issue of patriarchy and mental health, where women's self-worth is often measured by their physical appearance. The woman shares her experience in a 2011 Channel 4 documentary, highlighting the impact of such societal pressures on young women's mental health.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/opinion/2024/12/21/telling-women-they-look-skinny-isnt-a-complimentA freelance writer, Liam Heitmann-Ryce-LeMercier, has written an opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald about body image and self-acceptance. In the article, he shares his personal experience of taking off his clothes for money as a model, but notes that this does not define him as a person. He argues that society's focus on physical appearance can be damaging to individuals' mental health and encourages people to look beyond physical appearance when evaluating themselves and others.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/germans-get-it-we-need-to-stop-being-so-hung-up-about-our-naked-bodies-20241024-p5kl4g.htmlThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of Singapore's youth. According to Dr Daniel Fung, CEO of the Institute of Mental Health, there was an increase in calls to the institute's helpline during the pandemic, with many young people seeking help for anxiety and depression. Nicole Pang, Head of Services at Impart SG, a charity that works with youth and children, noted that her organisation saw a surge in demand for its services, particularly from students who were struggling to cope with the stress of online learning.
https://channelnewsasia.com/watch/more-countries-looking-ways-restrict-ban-children-social-media-4817061Research suggests that excessive consumption of short, fast-paced content on social media can have negative effects on mental health, including decreased attention spans, mental exhaustion, and a decline in critical thinking skills. Experts have observed cognitive and neurological changes in heavy users of TikTok, particularly among teenagers, such as memory loss, depression, stress, and anxiety. To mitigate these effects, experts recommend limiting daily social media usage to between 30 minutes and two hours, and being mindful of one's intentions for using the platform - if used for "wasting time", it can lead to negative outcomes, but if used intentionally, it can be a tool for personal growth.
https://channelnewsasia.com/commentary/brain-rot-social-media-oxford-word-digital-health-habits-mindful-internet-use-4802636