In late August 2026, Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) settled a lawsuit brought by 47 states, claiming that Meta had broken child privacy and consumer protection laws. The company agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion and make significant changes to how their platforms work with minors; more restrictions and greater financial penalties would apply if other social media companies comply with these standards (Kang & Tan, 2026). The suits argued that Meta's platform practices knowingly attracted young users, made it difficult for them to stop using the platform, and pushed harmful content and experiences towards them.
Among teens and young adults with no previous suicide attempt, exposure to a suicide attempt within their network of friends is associated with a suicide attempt and higher depressive symptoms, researchers have found. They suggested that assessing recent exposure to suicide attempts may help identify youth at risk for suicide. The researchers found that exposure was not associated with suicidal ideation.
Prevention science has developed a “multi‐tiered system of supports” (MTSS), which offers a framework for educators to improve programs and student engagement. The MTSS framework is comprised of four essential components: screening, progress monitoring, multi‐level prevention system, and data‐based decision making. Depending on state law, MTSS data may also support identification of students with learning or other disabilities.
By age nine, Mateo is already missing opportunities to develop some of the very skills he needs most to be successful in life. Bright, curious, and eager to do well, school rarely feels easy. ADHD makes it difficult for him to sustain attention, stay organized, and persist when tasks become challenging, while anxiety and periods of low mood further magnify these struggles. Over time, Mateo has begun avoiding assignments and social situations where he fears making mistakes. In doing so, he is also avoiding opportunities to practice problem‐solving, build confidence, and learn that he can succeed even when tasks are difficult. The adults around him care deeply about his well‐being, but some wonder whether school is simply “not his thing.” Wanting to protect his self‐esteem, they encourage activities that feel safer and more rewarding while avoiding additional demands in areas that cause distress.
Although there are many factors that influence adolescents' recovery after a potentially traumatic event (i.e., actual or threatened death, sexual violence, severe injury), there is strong evidence for social support as a critical protective factor. Adolescents with positive relationships with people around them (e.g., friends, family, caregivers) may be more effective in capitalizing on social context in the weeks to months after a potentially traumatic experience. However, navigating these social interactions may be challenging for adolescents who struggle with externalizing behaviors (e.g., aggression, tantrums; common features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder–hyperactive type or oppositional defiant disorder).
