Don’t Just Blame Social Media for Kids’ Poor Mental Health—Blame a Lack of Sleep
Education Week September 9, 2024
Filed in: Health & Wellbeing | Education | Mental Health | Digital Tech
On September 4, 2024, the Co-Director of the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent, Andrew Fuligni, spoke to EducationWeek reporters at a webinar and media briefing about the importance of sleep in improving adolescent mental health. At the briefing, Fuligni explained that there is a rich body of research showing that poor sleep leads to poor mental health, and it’s a link that is getting overlooked in the current frenzy over cellphones and social media.
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For students who are having a difficult time excelling in school, building trust with teachers and caring adults can help them cultivate confidence and a sense of belonging in academic settings. In a new KQED article, Co-Executive Director Andrew Fuligni explains that “adolescents are building an identity, which involves discovering things that you are good at,” and “many students mistakenly believe that academic ability is fixed rather than a developed skill.” By cultivating a growth culture in the classroom and providing positive feedback and affirmation, adults can help students cement a sense of belonging that can benefit their academic success and overall wellbeing.
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