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Researchers found over one-fifth of adolescents report feeling lonely.
Meta and YouTube were found negligent in a landmark social media addiction trial.
Irish village bans smart devices for younger children.
Research and Practice
Communications Psychology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Testing Effects of Cash Transfers on Child Cognitive, Language, and Socio-Emotional Development in Low- or Middle Income Countries
New research from Communications Psychology examined the impact of cash transfers (both conditional and unconditional) on children’s development in low- and middle-income countries. Conditional cash transfer programs give families cash payments if they comply with a certain set of requirements, such as seeking out health care services or attending school. The systematic review analyzed 16 randomized controlled trials in countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The researchers found that cash transfers had a small but statistically significant positive impact on child cognition, language, and gross motor skills, but not socio-emotional outcomes or fine motor skills. Compared to unconditional cash transfers, conditional cash transfer programs had larger effect sizes in promoting children’s development, especially for their cognitive, language, and socioeconomic abilities. Programs with more active sessions engaging parents and children in play activities were more impactful than more passive communication approaches. The researchers highlight the importance of conditional cash transfer programs to support children’s development using methods that align with a community’s specific needs.
Development and Psychopathology: Daily Manifestations of Maladaptive Personality Traits and Loneliness Across Social Contexts in Youth
Research in Germany examined adolescents’ experiences of loneliness across different contexts. Over one-fifth of adolescents report feeling lonely, which is often linked to negative outcomes such as mental health problems, risky behaviors, and worse outcomes later in life. The present study collected data from 294 participants aged 12 to 21 years old. Adolescents received prompts asking how lonely they felt in the moment and at the end of the day. They also completed surveys on maladaptive personality traits (i.e., behaviors that are ineffective in coping during negative stressors) and general loneliness. Results indicate that older children and girls were more likely to report feelings of loneliness. Respondents who were more likely to be alone more often did not necessarily have higher overall loneliness. Friends and family members reduced loneliness levels, while classmates or colleagues did not. Experiencing detachment and negative affect was associated with higher loneliness. These findings indicate the importance of developing closer relationships with friends and family to reduce overall adolescent loneliness.
Policy
The New York Times: Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
In a landmark decision, a jury found that Meta and YouTube harmed a young user due to design features that were addictive and led to mental health distress. Meta and YouTube must pay $4.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively, in combined compensatory and punitive damages. The plaintiff accused the social media companies of creating addictive products, which, due to their infinite scroll and algorithmic recommendations, led her to develop body dysmorphia and have thoughts of self-harm. The jury’s ruling shows that social media can cause personal injury, especially for children. Similar cases in California are scheduled for trials this summer, and a few days before the trial, a New Mexico jury found that Meta was liable for violating state law by failing to protect users from child predators. A representative at the American Enterprise Institute said the decision is “quite significant” and will “force the defendants to reconsider how they design social media platforms and how they deliver content to minors.” See also: Jury Finds Meta Platforms Harm Children. Why School Districts Are Eyeing This Verdict
Families in California are increasingly concerned about obtaining public benefits for fear of repercussions from immigration enforcement and confusion over federal public charge rules. The public charge rule says that officials can deny applicants a green card and visa applications if they determine the applicant relies too much on government assistance. However, many benefits cannot be considered under this rule, and it does not apply to asylum seekers, U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrants, or permanent residents applying for citizenship. Families around the state are scared to apply for child care and early education programs, even though their children may qualify, as they believe it could affect their residency or protection from deportation. Many of these concerns are due to families hearing others’ situations and assuming they pertain to them as well, when in reality, the law only impacts specific cases. The advocacy director at The Children’s Partnership, a nonprofit group focusing on children’s health advocacy, recommends that families seek accurate information through legal organizations to ensure that they are not missing out on vital government assistance due to fear of the public charge rule, which might not be applicable to them. See also: For Children Whose Parents Are Detained or Deported, a Scramble for Safe Harbors
Around the World
K-12 Dive: Maryland Sees Return On Investment in Grow-Your-Own Programs
Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland offer career and technical education for high school students to earn college credits and paraprofessional certification to become teachers. Seventy-five percent of students in the county have earned a paraprofessional certification. One paraprofessional program, the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program, was developed with Towson University and enrolls about 250 students. Students must complete four courses, including a final internship. TAM is a “grow-your-own program,” which helps schools invest in initiatives that address the school district’s own teacher shortages. Research on the initiative found that high school students exposed to the program were 45% more likely to become teachers within a decade of taking a course, which is the first time that a “grow-your-own program” has been analyzed to understand a program’s impact on students’ likelihood of teaching later. The program coordinator shared the importance of investing in students in the county to “nurture those relationships, and make sure they do come back to Prince George’s.”
The New York Times: A Phone-Free Childhood? One Irish Village Is Making It Happen.
In 2023, Greystones, Ireland, launched a grassroots initiative that adopted a “no smart devices” code for younger children in the community. The movement, called “It Takes a Village,” has greatly impacted the town of 22,000 residents. Parents, school principals, and community members created the program after they noticed children’s worse mental health and sleep patterns after students returned to school during the pandemic. The community hosted a town hall for residents to share their views, then eight primary school principals signed a letter in support of a voluntary code that encouraged parents not to buy their children a smartphone before secondary school. Seventy percent of parents agreed to the initiative. The town was well equipped to handle this experiment, as it already had a vibrant youth sports scene and places for tweens to hang out after school. Children in the town no longer feel the pressure of having a cell phone because their peers don’t. Instead, they make plans in person, spend more time outside, and enjoy “just being kids.”
