UNITED NATIONS — Dr. Felipe Paullier is quick to say he doesn’t speak for the world’s roughly 2 billion tweens, teens and young adults. But as the United Nations’ first assistant secretary-general for youth affairs, he’s tasked with advocating for young people and their concerns to be incorporated into the organization’s work — a goal … Read more
A fresh wave of anxiety about children and technology is cresting, with parents and pundits increasingly interrogating how kids use smartphones, social media, and screens. It hasn’t stopped teenagers from embracing generative AI. New research reveals what AI tools teenagers in the United States are using, and how often—as well as how little their parents … Read more
WASHINGTON — Fewer adolescents are vaping this year than at any point in the last decade, government officials reported Thursday, pointing to a shrinking number of high school students who are using Elf Bar and other fruity, unauthorized e-cigarettes. The latest survey numbers show the teen vaping rate fell to under 6% this year, down … Read more
Girls are bombarded on social media with advice from influencers touting elaborate skin care routines with high-priced serums, mists and creams. But what is the right skin care routine for preteens? Simple is best, dermatologists say. Before puberty hits, most kids only need three things: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and sunscreen. “That’s it. Full … Read more
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California and South Carolina could become the next states to limit cellphone use in schools, with state officials planning to take up the issue Tuesday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending letters to school districts, urging them to restrict students’ use of smartphones on campus. And the South Carolina State Board of … Read more
The unprecedented mental health crisis for children in the United States often surfaces where they spend much of their days: school. With that in mind, Google’s philanthropic arm is directly financing high school wellbeing projects on a classroom crowdfunding platform. Google.org on Monday flash funded all mental health-related listings on DonorsChoose, an online charity where … Read more
MEXICO CITY — The smell of hairspray clouds Alexa Flores López as she gets the finishing touches of an intricate updo on her thick black hair. When Alexa found out she was going to have a quinceañera — the traditional celebration for a 15th birthday in Mexico — she could barely contain herself. “She got … Read more
VIENNA — A third teenager has been arrested in connection with a foiled attack on now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria’s interior minister said Friday. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said an 18-year-old was taken into custody Thursday evening in Vienna after allegedly being in contact with the main suspect. Karner announced the arrest … Read more
GENEVA — A Chinese American teen is vying to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents in a quest that also aims to drum up donations for research into childhood cancer. Ethan Guo, who turned 19 last month, began his quest in May in Memphis, Tennessee. He made multiple overnight stops … Read more
There are small signs of improvement in the mental health of U.S. teenagers, a government survey released Tuesday said, but the share of students — particularly girls — feeling sad and hopeless remained high. From 2021 to 2023, the portion of high school students who reported feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness declined from 42% … Read more
