01/02/2026
Articles I’m excited to read this week:
As a teen and young adult therapist, I’m always paying attention to how systems shape young people, not just individual behavior.
Two key takeaways from this week’s research:
1)Teen identity is not shaped by screen time alone. How teens use social media, particularly authenticity and active engagement, matters more for identity development than the number of hours spent online.
2)Bullying at school is NOT random. Power dynamics shape where bullying happens and how teens respond, including avoidance, fear, distress, and other survival strategies.
What I love about both of these studies is that they both challenge the idea that we can fix teen mental health by controlling behavior in isolation. Instead, these two studies highlight the importance of context, power, safety, and authenticity in understanding adolescent mental health.
If you work with teens, support a teen, or were a teen who felt impacted by school environments or social media, this research matters.
Follow along for weekly research I’m excited to read as a teen and young adult therapist 🙏🏼💙
Disclaimer: This account is for educational purposes only. Engaging with this content does not constitute therapy, mental health treatment, or a therapeutic relationship. Nothing shared here should be understood as professional advice or a substitute for individualized mental health care. Content may not apply to every person or situation.
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