Should we wait until age 13 before giving our kids a smartphone?

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Two new studies from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development cohort find that the younger a child is when they get a phone, the higher their risk of depression, obesity and insufficient sleep over the following year. For families whose children already have a phone, the most actionable levers are limiting daily use and keeping the device out of the bedroom at night.

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Scrolling for answers: how reliable is mental health and neurodivergence-related information on social media?

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A new systematic review finds that mental health and neurodivergence-related misinformation is highest on TikTok, but quality varies widely across all platforms.

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Texting anxiety away: does text message CBT work for young adults?

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A new RCT tested text message CBT for generalised anxiety in young adults, with promising results. But is it ready for clinical practice?

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Do school smartphone bans actually save schools money?

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Schools spend the equivalent of three full-time staff managing phone use, whether or not students are allowed to have phones in school. This new study asks if banning smartphones actually improves pupils’ wellbeing or saves money for schools.

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Spotting bipolar and psychosis risk earlier using routine clinical records

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A 28-predictor model using routine mental health records correctly identified risk for psychotic or bipolar disorders around 80% of the time, outperforming existing assessment tools in a study of 127,000 people.

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Only a swipe away: App-based support for reducing distress in university students

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This innovative Australian trial suggests that different mental health app interventions worked better depending on students’ distress severity. One size doesn’t fit all, but which apps should students choose?

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Internet-delivered CBT for depression: real-world evidence shows similar benefits to face-to-face therapy

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This Finnish study of 5,834 healthcare records found therapist-guided internet CBT showed similar depression improvements to face-to-face therapy, providing real-world evidence beyond selective RCT populations.

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The Challenge of VR for voices in psychosis

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We’ve been talking about VR for voices for more than a decade. Are the results finally catching up with the hype? A new multi-site RCT from Denmark tests a refined, immersive version of AVATAR therapy for people with schizophrenia who continue to hear distressing voices despite medication.

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