The loneliest generation: new research from the Institute of Public Policy Research out this week says young people in England are increasingly lonely, feel disconnected and 1 in 20 say they have no friends at all. It looks at socioeconomic factors and highights how these disproportionately impact young people when it comes to loneliness and disconnection.

Work is the answer: as NEET levels dip to under 1m over the last 3m period, a look at why the youth jobs guarantee scheme can tackle the mental health crisis. The pro’s and con’s of vocational training explored in this article, amid research finding black and mixed-ethnicty learners are less likely to complete and the announcement of a bursary to ensure families are not worse off if their teenager starts an apprenticeship.

Internal exclusions at school on rise at secondary: while data on exclusions and suspensions recently indicated a decline, new data finds that ‘internal exclusions’, where a child is sent out of class are on the rise and its poorer students and those with SEND needs who are more likely to experience them. Figures suggest the number of children experiencing this has tripled within three years.

Reconnecting boys and young men: a report produced by the misogyny policy project was presented in parliament this week at a cross sector taskforce - 5 pillars and policy asks - read report here

The Counterculture is human: great trend report from the Up and Up for fall (yes it’s American) that says Gen Z is rejecting algorithms and prioritising community after an ‘IRL summer’.

Students staying home: according to UCAS figures over 81k UK students aged 18 are planning to stay at home (1 in 3), with costs the main factor. Could this have a negative impact on university life and personal development?

Foraging for food and fun? Apparently UK forraging among young people is on the rise, as both an antidote to rising food costs and a means to reconnect with nature and each other. Piece in Dazed here.

And also

• The Guardian speak with some of the teenage girls who made the crossing from Morocco to Cueta, Spain, wanting to find a better future.

• As a 16 year old girl dies from suspected sexual choking a look at why no amount of pressure is ‘safe’ and teens need more education about it

• Dating apps are dead - Gen Z are making hobbies work harder

• Girls Gone Bible - the new podcast of ‘demonic opression’ and ‘girly convos’ winning girls back into christianity

• OnlyFans and AI training - why Gen Z doesn’t care where our money comes from

• Gen Alpha are becoming the biggest brand influencers in the home according to this latest study

• The ‘care cliff’ drop of support at aged 18 is a major contributor to deaths of care leavers, according to a landmark review.

GCSE & BTec Results: Overall the pass rate has remained pretty stable in England, Wales & Northern Ireland at 67.3% (at 4/C and above), slightly down from 67.4% last year. A break down on subjects and differences here.

• Boys have performed slightly better than last year, but girls have seen a slight dip compared to last year - albeit a very small change and girls are still outpeforming boys. Notable that boys’ maths performance was significant change.

• the relentless GCSE resit cycle isn’t working say college leaders, with pass rates far lower for over 17s (who class for 1 in 4 GCSE English and Maths exam entries). UCL researchers find repeated exam attempts may dent student confidence and raise risk of dropping out, impacting mental wellbeing.

Degree Apprenticeships: competition for degree apprenticeships has quadroupled in three years in England, according to data the BBC has seen, something Dr Eliza Filby has been talking about over the year saying because of the economy, prejudices over apprenticeships and the competitive job market have all contributed.

ULEZ proved to improve children’s lung health: following the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019 with further roll out in 2023, researchers at Queen Mary’s University of London compared the lung size and function of around 1600 children aged 6-9 in London compared with Luton and found significant positive changes as a result of ULEZ.

4 in 10 Gen Z work all their annual leave: according to new UK research financial pressures, job insecurity and workplace expectations are making it increasingly difficult for Gen Z employees to switch off. 41% of Gen Z work every day while on annual leave compared with 27% of the general population.

Vaping should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up: according to the most comprehensive reviews of available evidence so far from the Royal College of Child and Paediatrics Health, children vaping is consistently linked to poor respiratory health and can lead to smoking.

Phones may be banned but what offline support is there? As the US school phone ban comes into force teens are calling for more offline support.

Young women and therapy speak: a therapist shares their experience that around half of the Gen Z women they meet turn up with self-diagnosed mental health conditions and therapy speak.

Open AI is launching teen ChatGPT: It’s almost like the legal cases elsewhere are causing concern… but ChatGPT are launching a version for 13-17s to ensure the chat and content they’re exposed to on the platform are appropriate.

Placements for young people with SEND: the government review into youth unemployment is to highlight the importance of work placements for young people with special educational needs who face a starker prospect of joblessness.

Loneliness is hitting campus: a look at the drop in connection on US university campuses - socialising less, partying less and a rise in feelings of isolation.

And Also

• More than 40 charities have written to government to warn against cutting benefits for young disabled people.

• The Excel influencers (no I’m not joking) turning spreadsheets into a spectator sport (Wired)

• Gen Z are living with the decision of Brexit which they didn’t have a say in - what hope do closer ties with Europe and Andy Burnhams approach offer?

• How ‘baby botox’ is becoming a movement - the aesthetics treatment being normalised by young women as ‘preventative ageing’

• Sport and entertainment have led to more summer jobs, many of which for young people

• Nobody wants to be ‘polyester’ - latest insult explained (if you need it!)

• Gen Alpha boys are also the target for beauty brands, is anyone safe?!

• Why are Gen Z ‘Ghost posting’ on instagram?

• Back to school lists - more of a rebrand according to these teens

Gen Z jaded? Maybe but the advice on GCSE day is getting honest

Also if I had a £ for every GCSE results opening in a car with parents… is this mum’s reaction the most dramatic?

@avadungerThis had to be shared here #gcseresults #resultsday #gcse

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Results Day: Top grades are up overall on A-Levels, T-levels and BTecs as students get their results this week.

• However, it’s the regional disparities which are highlighted; Sutton Trust here, Guardian here

• Are the UK’s top uni’s ‘hoovering up’ students? The number of students accepted into higher-tariff uni’s is up 5.5% from last year as acceptances at lower-tariff institutions fell 1.7% year-on-year

• A deeper dive on the data around all results here (ffl education lab)

Spotting NEET risk…at primary: Alan Milburn, who is leading a review into youth unemployment for the UK Government, says primary schools should be tasked with identifying children at risk of being NEET for earlier intervention. While some critics say this may label children. Milburn visited Dublin this week to learn how they’ve drastically cut numbers of NEET in recent years.

Attendance targets for all schools: Official data found attendance levels were still at pre-pandemic level, leading to a proposal of all state-schools in England being given their own attendance target, with things like offering more clubs and activities on Fridays to boost attendance towards the end of the week.

Are you LARPing? A new insult for ‘live action role play’ is being used to describe people who are being performative and inauthentic - another way to call out a poser, try hard or fruad. You’re welcome.

Which national news brands reach more under 35s? Plot twist - it’s the Financial Times. Data from Ipsos found 27% of the FTs online audience in June was u35 (Press Gazette)

AI Bootcamp: A pilot in the North West of England will see up to 70 16-24s out of work or at risk of unemployment, get 3 weeks of AI training; building AI tools, understanding how businesses use it, responsible use plus other workplace skills.

E-scooter injuries: the number of children injured in e-scooter crashes in Engand; average age 12, 65% of them male and fewer than 2% wore a helmet.

And also…

• Why a TikTok PM may help engage a younger vote

• Why own spaces and stationary are proving important/popular among younger workers

• Hobbyamory - when hobbies come before romance. Increasingly a thing

• Gen Z are speaking less (451 words less day apparently). The Independent report on the ‘silent epidemic’

• Is AI slop finally having a backlash? Wired

• Are parents really rocking up to Gen Z job interviews? Vice

• GLP-1 content is warping teens sense of what’s healthy

And wdym parents can be embarrasing on results day?!

Why so many vapes children buy contain Spice: I’ve referenced the study that the Uni of Bath did on school-confiscated vapes which found a high proportion contained the illegal drug Spice. More research has found that a higher % of vapes (of all kinds, not just those labelled CBD or THC) bought on TikTok contained it. A look at how addictive it is and the impact its having.

University admisssions advisors… on TikTok: mainly US examples but this is an interesting look at the admissions advisors who are booming on TikTok (but are also popping up on Reddit, Insta, LinkedIn, Pinterest); admissions experts, journalists, coaches - a way for parents and students to share/discuss.

Are summer holidays good for children? about time someone asked them. Research from University of Glasgow looks at the downsides (mainly cost associated) but the benefits of a break from the school system that young people shared.

Tradwives and passivity - what’s engaging young women? Nara Smith, arguably the lead influencer of this movement, may have denounced the label, but a new generation of teen and young wives is spawning making stay-at-home and traditional roles an influential movement online. Meanwhile a look at whether passivity has become the push back on girlboss content among young women.

The World’s best cities - according to Gen Z: What cities do under 30s find the best to live in? Time Out shares its guide according to Gen Z.

Gen Z switching dating apps for AI: a look at Ditto, the AI matchmaking app that is claimed to be founded on predicting chemistry, thats growing fast in the US. Meanwhile half of single GenZs in the US say they can’t afford to date.

Errands - but make it cinematic: An account by filmmaker Noah Blau, which speaks to New Yorkers about mundane errands but its growing into a cult like Insta series. Could work so well for university/local authority formats (and if you try it please let me know!)

Maybe just ask students about AI rules? Adults have struggled to set the rules when it comes to AI at school, so 98 teens representing all US states came together for the weekend to thrash out what they’d do- and they came up with something.

Are young people ‘soft hermitting’ this summer? deliberately saying no to plans and steering clear of human contact vs the pressure of organising things. The Independent takes a look at the growing TikTok trend and whether there’s substance behind it.

Gen Z spending and little treat economy: a look at saving trends, spending habits and what Gen Z are prioritising spending on (data from Bank of America).

Procurement to benefit young people: Youth Futures Foundation responds to government plans to reform public procurement processes which will ask businesses to demonstrate commitment to providing jobs, work experiences and placements for young people.

Grad jobs lowest in UK since pandemic: Reuters release info that graduate roles in the UK are at their lowest level since the pandemic, meanwhile roles requiring AI skills posted on Indeed are at a record high.

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And also..

• More than 120 MPs have asked the Chancellor to review the student loan repayment system

• Britain’s stictest schools - a BBC Panorama show, a trust that went too far on discipline and the parents that pushed back amid growing concerns that punitive disciplinary practices in schools is having a lasting impact on children.

• Why students will be ‘SABSing’ on campus (how to see and be seen) in the hope of meeting people

• Helicopter parents are co-piloting their children’s careers

• Influencing is an appealling career route - the universities adapting courses as a result.

• Nostalgia marketing needs an Alpha strategy (Adweek)

• Gen Z are loving a bit of Frozen Yoghurt in the UK btw

Some advice on how to make the most out of your student experience

Meanwhile, if degree titles were honest…

@fl3tch.c0rnwallIf university degree titles were honest part 2 #unistudent #fl3tch

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Youth unemployment: Prime Minister Andy Burham will ask schools to better align curriculums to local employers’ needs from age 14 as part of a drive to tackle youth unemployment. This will see technical subjects available.

• “They’re anxious about everything” a look into how young people in Dudley and Lewisham are faring while being NEET

• The Kings’ Trust’s Richard Rigby says young people has to be at the heart of the UK’s renewal strategy (Big Issue)

• Latest Youth Unemployment Stats released. 16.4% of young people are unemployed, up from 14.2% from the year before.

• PM Andy Burnham says Zoom interviews and AI scanning of CVs has to stop to give young people a “chance to shine”

Adulthood is harder: Young people are having a harder time into adulthood than any other generation in half a century, according to analysis of UK data on housing, employment and wealth carried out by the BBC. More than 40% of 25 year olds live with their parents, wages have stagnated and employment has fallen. The Guardian’s view on kidulthood here, in which it says parental support has become another source of inequality for many.

Generation in crisis: the Centre for Young Lives published their State of the Nation report, which shows a generation of children in England are growing up in crisis. It found that despite progress in some areas, the main causes of vulnerability like deep poverty, housing insecurity, or missing half of school, continue to rise, leaving more children at risk of problems later in life.

Happiness is falling: analysis from IPPR finds that life satisfaction among young people in England has been in steady decline since 2010.

Gen Z does drink: A US study has found Gen Z are drinking just as much as any other generation, and its cocktails that are preferred. Although meet this Gen Z in the UK who set up their own winery in his parents shed.

Why kids can’t quit Roblox: it’s not how great the games are, but more to do with the loot boxes which are introducing an addictive gambling element, that are, along with other mechanics of the games, much like those of slot machines and sports betting apps.

Rizz is so 2023, it’s all about ‘natural aegyo’: A K-pop fandom term has gone mainstream, and celebrities (think Bellingham, Pink Pantheress, Chalamet). The term refers to a Korean concept that’s existed in K-pop culture and means charm, affection and cuteness and has an association with authenticity and being real.

Where young adults are letting AI handle their social interactions: even in personal situations, some Gen Z are using AI to help their conversations, draft lines for messages and dating and ice breakers for parties. Meanwhile Wired write about the experts and insights that show how many children/young people won’t ever think ‘AI is cool’ and are sick of it being pressed upon them.

And also

• What is ‘UK Poo’ - the controversial new ‘genre’ having a moment. Low quality, meme worthy UK rap videos - but is the trend laughing with or at?

• Is the death of milliennial wedding culture upon us, with simpler weddings being favoured by increasing numbers of younger couples

• Young people are yearning for timeless crafts - could playing the harp or trumpet be the ultimate digital detox?

• US study finds university educated women are marrying the highest earning non Uni educated men, leaving the rest further behind financially

• Once you hear it, the Gen Alpha melody is everywhere - a Danish musician catalogued pop songs built on the same 4 notes which he’s dubbed the ‘Gen Alpha melody’

• Has working out at the gym replaced the home rennovation project, given many young people are struggling to get onto the housing market?

Gen Alpha’s are into the nostalgia of… 2020 (yikes)

@coldestjoelWhy Gen Alpha is obsessed with 2020, and nostalgia marketing is the trend to watch in 2026 #marketing #genalpha #culture #2020 #nostalgia

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And we talk about the challenge of getting onto the property market for young people in the UK… and this felt very real!

The groups gamifying harm: a look at the disturbing online groups where coersion of young people to harm themselves and others is escalating, with many victims evolving into perpetrators, with several high profile cases testing legal systems around whether responsibility can be attributed if crimes/harms instructed remotely.

Young people on the coast: a year of their ‘Against the Tide’ series, the Guardian look back; they’ve taken young people from the coast to parliament for the APPG on coastal communities, and highlight the unique challenges the areas pose for young people.

University creators: waiting to see examples of this in the UK (so please fire over if you have any), a look at the University of Southern California’s ‘Creator U’ the highly competitive influencer frat that’s creating content, celebrity status and networking ops that students are competing for.

How deepfakes are changing the way teens use the internet: research from Common Sense Media found 44% of teens they surveyed had seen sexual content they believed was AI generated, with 1 in 4 saying it depicted someone they knew personally. Many are worried about this and changing their behaviours and settings onine as a result.

Taking pics: the 2000s called and reminded everyone that digital cameras can still be a thing - and not phones so kids are allowed right. Also a rise in ‘surveillance selfies’, from the supermarket checkout, ring doorbells and dashcams.

Gen Z living in intimacy economy: A look at those who are relying on AI to fill in the gaps in connection.

Student Loans v Graduate Tax: a look at how changes in government may lead to changes in student finances (iNews)

And Also…

• Wellness trends and why many young people are over optimisation and measurement of everything (Dazed)

• Sock wars - the latest on sock length in relation to age bracket (the important stuff you need to know ofc)

• The profile of young, English hackers who are competing for notoriety not just financial gain are the new cyber threat (FT)

• Future journalism - the teen reporter who searched for his community in the Epstein Files leading to a free-speech flash point on Instagram. (Wired)

• Attack of the Jorts - they’re taking over a city near you

• The Zyn-ification of everything being put into pouches (nicottine, caffeine, supplements) and their popularity esp among young men.

The grads unhappy with mispronunciation at graduation

And while we’re on graduation, there’s a lot of content knocking about but hats off (get it) to this creative one from students at Salford… 10/10.

A little later than usual as had a full on week, it’s still a million degrees and emotionally as an England fan it’s been a long one - but if you catch this over the weekend or to start your week - hope it’s packed full of some useful stuff.

Disadvantage gap at school: the Education Policy Institute released a report this week highlighting the growing education gap between children from affluent backgrounds and those on free school meals. It’s bigger at every stage than before the pandemic with particular concern at early years. This equates to a gap of around 19 months.

Social media curfew: a curfew at 16 & 17 on social media overnight, has been proposed (although it can be opted out of), is it pointless (Today in Focus, Guardian discusses on its podcast), meanwhile teens give their view

Social media cycle working against young people: Shout Out UK and London’s Violence Reduction Unit shared research this week that shows how algorithms drive street fights, misogynistic or hateful content that make it hard for young people to de-escalate issues. Piece on it here

Generation peptide: I shared the rise of peptides being bought by teens online linked to gym culture, but they’re also being bought by teens for weightloss. Promoting their stories with carefully crafted references to avoid moderation, influencers (who are also peptide suppliers) are sharing their weightloss journeys they attribute to peptides - many of which are yet to be regulated.

How easy is it to be analogue in 2026? interesting look at young adults wanting to be less online, and how they’ve been finding it over the year so far. I shared a piece on this a while back but Vice also looks at the rise of CDs among younger audiences - in a large part driven by collector culture.

Fear of being content changing nights out: being cringe, or being content? Is the fear of being filmed impacting Gen Z’s experiences of nights out, dancing and being able to have fun?

Share Engaging Youth by Rebecca Roberts

Gen Z Sports Fandom & The Mega Moment: new report (from Acceleration Community of Companies) found that almost half (49%) became interested in a new sport or athlete through fan created content or something outside of the competition itself. 25% say viral content triggers intense short term interest, 32% say they’re more interested in individual athletes than teams, with 25% saying they’d even prefer to follow an athletes personal story over how they compete.

Australian Gen Zs: growing up in Australia report finds Gen Z are more anxious about housing affordability than climate change or following a chosen career path.

Women adopt looksmaxxing language: how the language of testing your looks is becoming more commonplace among young women. (Dazed)

And also

• Children should have one or two doses of MenB vaccine at 15 (depending on if they had one as a baby) advisors tell UK Gov.

• Number of young German men applying to be conscientious objectors and refuse military service has risen dramatically this year

• China’s crackdown on AI bots for relationships leaves many young people in mourning

• Tinder rebrands (its all about authenticity now apparently) to engage Gen Zs

• Music influencers being paid to promote songs and not telling you about it

• The US Students betting on a new democratic party

• Rolling Stone share a story on ‘Vibe Camp’ an IRL gathering for the terminally online

• Why smart people are watching Love Island (it’s cultural)

And as an England fan I don’t really want to talk about it, but this post did remind me that younger fans haven’t experienced how unrealistic our world cup aspirations used to be!

@joysephhTheir years of hurt are very different from ours #worldcup #englandfootball

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And a reminder to just be happy for younger generations ok?!

Are apprenticeship funds going to older workers too much? The Guardian takes a look at apprenticeships after a point in Alan Milburn’s report on youth unemployment highlights how much funding towards older workers has meant entry level opportunities have been squeezed.

What if its not the phones? Evolutionary psychologist Peter Grey is publishing a full length rebuttle to Haidt’s Anxious Generation (interestingly they co-founded the nonprofit Let Grow together in 2017), in which he argues that while the mental health crisis among teens is real it has “nothing whatsoever” to do with smart phones and social media. If you read one thing today… have a look

Britains markets attracting generation of highly educated entrepreneurs: 1 in 5 young market traders hold master’s degree, PhD or medical doctorate according to research from National Market Traders Federation. An industry shift or a byproduct of a challenging grad career market (and a lot of the Apprentice)?!

Rise of the Gen Z luddite: the luddite festival got a mention a couple of weeks ago, but heres’s a look at what went on and the resistence to tech that the digital natives attending (and more broadly) are experiencing.

School suspensions down first time since pandemic: a 4% drop in state school suspensions, 9% dip in permenant exclusions, but a slight uplift in suspensions at primary schools. Rates had been rising since before the pandemic.

Friendship - the new influencer flex? Showing you have actual friends on your feed - some of which may also be influencers, seems to be becoming the norm.

Gen Z leans hard into Nostalgia: its driving their music and content preferences according to a new study by Vevo, “Then is Now: a study on modern nostalgia” (take note they are also launching a nostalgia based buying capability to their platform). It found nostalgia creates better engagement and 65% of Gen Z is nostalgic for content from eras they’ve not even lived in.

And also

• Gen Z’s romanticising hangovers as “low key a beautiful thing”

• Acts of kindness - a short story about a group of teens who sprang into action, a reminder on why the moral panic about teens needs balance

• Gen Z tell BBC what they think of the State Pension (video)

• While the brightest students flock to hacker houses, Wall Street is in somewhat of an intern pay war

• Is ‘Loud Budgeting’ helping young people to set financial boundaries?

• Gen Z don’t have short attention spans - they’re just decisive over who gets it (amen!)

Its graduation season - and seems like the expense of graduation itself is still… A lot!

@jimwithjai#graduation#uk#university#scam

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Outcomes for White working class children: the indepdent inquiry into White working class educational outcomes released findings that call for reforms and makes recommendations, including extending apprenticeships and free public transport for under 21s. Many, including the Sutton Trust, highlight how disproportionately young White women are impacted, despite much of the focus publicly having been on boys.

Swedish youth employed to tackle climate crisis: Sweden has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the EU. A non-profit shares how they created jobs (young planetry stewards) for 18 year olds looking for work, to help tackle the climate crisis at a local level.

Out of work: councils and schools have been urged to do more to track young people who are at risk of dropping out of training and work with an estimated 32,100 16-17s who are NEET being unaccounted for. Meanwhile this is a great Today in Focus listen exploring where have all the first time jobs gone.

Businesses & youth unemployment: the Resolution Foundation call for extra funding for apprenticeships and increase in youth support grants, saying that employment tax breaks will do little to curb youth unemployment. Meanwhile British firms are told they’ll be able to claim £3k for taking on a young person who’s been out of work for 6m.

Are we entering the age of intentional music listening? A look at the growing subculture of music lovers who are finding pleasure in limiting their choices in a world of unending streaming options.

Influencer for the fame and riches: 60% of middle and high schoolers surveyed (U.S) 2020-2024 said they want to become influencers or choose careers based on what they see online.

Why Gen Z are planning for a life without a pension: BBC feature exploring Gen Z and their future financial prospects, amid calls for the triple lock on pensions to be scrapped. Not a lot of young people trust the pension scheme.

And Also

• A look at Paris street fishing and the culture around it

• American Gen Z’s seeing the World Cup as a dating opportunity

• Gen Z rage against tech harnessed at Luddite Fesival

4 in 5 u16s still using social in Australia: new insight reveals that despite the legislation, 85% of under 16s are still using social media as experts warn a better strategy is needed. The study (by University of Newcastle in Australia) concluded that the ban may be effective for under 8s in delaying or preventing use, rather than restricting adolescents who already use it. Meanwhile a look at the apps used by Alphas not deemed ‘social media’ such as Tumblr, Discord, Pinterest and Zoom (Vogue)

Gen Zs are earning more than Millennials in early career: new data from the Resolution Foundation highlights that Millennials were the first generation not to have higher disposable incomes than previous generations - likely due to entering the market around the 2008 financial crash and wage stagnation since and Gen Z have experienced a mini wage rebound - although that is under threat

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Is Uni worth it? data from the Institute of Fiscal Studies looks at what earnings over a lifetime look like for different degrees. Dazed share their guide for not going to uni (particularly in creative sector) here, following stats shared last week on many not feeling degree was worth it.

Young men, extremism and need for belonging: interview with Jacob Dunne, on why young men who aren’t able to express anger and lack a sense of belonging are more likely to turn to violence and extremism.

Gen Z and purpose: and while we’re on that theme, new Gallup data suggests 45% of Gen Z (in the US) report lacking meaning, purpose or both in their lives but the biggest predictor of it is through helping otthers.

Gen Z and dating: WIRED takes a look at why Gen Z are ‘trying to make’ Solomaxing aspirational, meanwhile those who are dating are doing so in a budget-friendly way. Meanwhile as Hyrox launch their own dating app - fitness is proving popular for connection.

Dangerous teen choking: BBC research has found 43% of 16 and 17 year olds have been strangled during sex. Cases reported have increased and campaigners are calling for under 16s to be able to report domestic violence (currently it’s 16+ only) to ensure they can access support/report it more easily.

Alphas on shopping: Beano Brain share their latest insights - 68% are shopping IRL, with 7-14s preferring the experience of it compared to online, with many finding shopping a key part of exploring their identity and interests.

Were the 90s better? A look at brainrot content vs the preaching, sometimes child-blaming (!) cartoon content of the 90s - was that better?

Also…

• The number of children getting SEND support in school has risen sharply - 12.5% increase in the number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) Jan 25-Jan 26

• How Gen Z is rewriting London’s literary scene - book launches, readings and lectures (Financial Times)

• A survey finds 3 in 5 Gen Z would like a new vote as would rejoin the EU

• ‘Minionese’ (from Despicable Me’s Minions) and its influence on Gen Alpha slang

• The World Cup and shared live experiences - and Gen Z phone use during matches

And this World Cup the creators are becoming embedded in the coverage. BBC Sport teamed up for a live watch-along of Ecuador v Germany on both BBC iPlayer, BBC’s and Sidemen’s YouTube.

Just leaving these here….

@sayitanywayyBut what about 1976!!!!! #heatwave

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Social Media Ban: it’s been a busy week. Monday, it was announced that there will be a social media ban next spring for under 16s on social media. How will it work? Guardian podcast, BBC,

• 16 & 17 year olds share their views in the Guardian, young influencers on the opportunities its given them and why a ban punishes the wrong people

• Lucy Edwards, influencer and disability campaigner, says the ban will impact young disabled people to find role models with similar conditions

• A look at why a ban could cause more harm than it prevents (Electronic Frontier Foundation)

• Why bundling anxieties and harmful experiences together - with one solution, may not be the answer (The Conversation)

Apart from Australia - what’s everyone else doing? France is proposing a similar thing, Denmark are look at this for under 15s, Austria proposed one for U14s, Canada is progressing with one for u16s, Germany are discussing one, Greece have one for u15s due to start in Jan, Indonesia announced in March they’ll bring in a ban for u16s, Malaysia are set to bring in a ban for u15s this year, Poland are drafting legislation on u15s ban, Spain are looking for parliamentary approval on an u16 ban, Turkiye passed a bill on a ban for u15s and are waiting for it to go into law

Access to opportunity: the Sutton Trust release data, and a very handy interactive map, that looks at the opportunities for White Working Class young people and how this interacts with socio-economic background and geography.

Sport and parent's perspectives: the Youth Sport Trust release their YouGov data which looked into the attitudes of parents on the role sport plays in children’s lives; 92% believe sport and play are an important part of every young person’s education and development yet only 35% of parents think children should be active for 60 mins a day (Chief Medical Officer’s guidance).

Young British Men are not more rightwing than older ones: a new study of election data shows that age is more of a determination of vote over gender, and while young men 18-24 are less progressive than their female counterparts, they are least likely to vote rightwing parties than any other age group.

The malignant rise of Onlyfans managers: a look at the men who are profiting from and exploiting young women on the platform.

Hormone health obsession: a look at the pitfalls of some of the narrative around hormones and female health as potentially perpetuating misogynistic messaging.

And also…

• Is having a landline the ultimate post-digital flex?

• The World Cup? influencer ishowspeed is Gen Z’s ESPN

• Footy Addicts - the new app that’s helping form friendships in London

• The Gen Z glow down as £ and beauty regimes compromise

• US Nuns on TikTok are having a moment

• Gen Z won’t have babies before age 35 and no-one should be surprised (i-paper, paywall)

The clip too good not to share of the BBC asking young people what they though and what they’d do instead of social media. Iconic.

And while we’re on it, this one is worth a watch too

And if you think anyone you know would like my ramblings and shares on a Friday - ping them a suggestion to subscribe

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Are Gen Z over optimisation? the backlash over Steven Bartlett’s declation of 3 days of his life were “ruined” because two glasses of wine created sub optimal factors in the days after, has generated somewhat of a pushback on the optimising everything opportunities that many devices has. Meanwhile the Telegraph say young men in particular are being sold a dangerous lie of optimisation culture.

Sports Fandoms: the World Cup has begun but how do younger audiences expect sport to show up and engage them? I interview Stuart Rowson (formerly BBC working on sports, news and children’s) about fandoms in sport on the Hear It Podcast here.

@bexdoesstuffTalking Fandoms in sport with Stuart Rowson, founder of Lucky Socks Media. Lates ep of the Hear It Podcast is out now, link in bio #fandoms #sportsfan #youthmarketing #podcast

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Unemployed for over a year: the Guardian speak with young job hunters who’ve been trying to land a job for a year. They share the impact on their confidence, lifestyle, social life and health. For many, the fear of long term unemployment is increasingly real.

More on youth unemployment: bosses at M&S, Tesco and Sainsburys are among a group of retailers urging the government to act, evalution of a hyper-local job support scheme across England shows early signs of success, including for young people.

Tackling wealth transfer inequality: The Social Market Foundation offers an inventive plan to ease the inequality between those young people set to be gifted wealth and the majority who will have none.

Read(ing) all about it: an uplift in children and teens reading for the first time in 5 years according to new research from the National Literacy Trust. 1 in 5 8-18s say they read every day, although the NLT say levels still remain low.

Why are young audiences saving cinema? A look at the rise in youth audiences going to the cinema, the shared experience and digital detox being part of the reason.

Gen Z Fandoms on Spotify: their next Gen 2026 report delves into the 35% of its users who are Gen Z and what they’re up to on the platform. Download full report here.

The Future Report: Google & YouTube worked with Livity to produce the Future Report, taking 6000 teens’ views from across the UK in relation to their digital lives. 74% are using AI multiple times a week, meanwhile 76% are regularly considering the trustworthiness of information. Read full report here

Impact of social media on mental health: interesting peer-reviewed analysis looked at 46 studies and 79 effect sizes of using social media and its impact on adolescent mental health. It’s not zero… but it is smaller than the impact of wearing glasses for instance.

And also…

• Smacking children does ‘no good whatsover’ and could lead to lower GCSE results according to researchers at University College London

• Should phones be banned at gigs?

• Four important cases to watch when it comes to social media being on trial and the harm it does/is liable for.

• Tech firms like Google and Apple have been asked by UK Gov to stop naked images being available on phones and other devices for u18s. Meanwhile these docs show how apps specifically targeted teens during school hours…

• Gen Z drug of choice… caffeine. A look in the boom in caffeine products alongside sober curious habits and developing trends among Gen Z audiences.

While the debate on whether going to university is “of value” continues (strongly by the likes of Simon Squibb who this week says Universities are scamming young people) a reminder from this creator that the majority of jobs grads are applying for still require a degree and depth of knowledge.

@sandythewhaleYes the job market is cooked but is that Uni’s fault? #graduateunemployment #uk #NEET #graduate #postgrad

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Young People & Work: the first interim report came out (but I was away so including it this week!) from Alan Milburn who’s leading the independent gov review into youth unemployment. It highlights how the opportunities for young people are shrinking, applying for hundreds of jobs with little feedback is the norm (challenging stereotype that they’re not trying), with reference to the “bedroom generation”, poor mental health and a long shadow from the impact of covid.

Great piece of work from One Million Futures here on inside the mind of a young NEET (and discussion below)

@lbcAlmost a million young people are not in education, employment, or training. Keir Starmer's former advisor Peter Hyman thinks schools are ‘scarring’ children #LBC #uk #andrewmarr #uknews

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• while some argue recruiting more young people into the armed forces is a great way to ensure young people gain experience and aren’t left without work, many argue against the ethics of it and says it contributes to higher NEET levels because of drop-out rates

• roughly 13.5% of young Brits are not in work or education, in the Netherlands their youth unemployment has stayed at 5% steadily - a look at what the Dutch do (plot spoiler - decades long policymaking).

• Do careers services need more investment?

• The former M&S chief exec has landed gov advisor role to tackle youth unemployment.

• Guardian op-ed on how to boost opportunities for young people.

• This WSJ piece asks whether remote working is fuelling youth unemployment (US focus) - i.e. lack of mentoring, learning from others, skill development.

Exam season: Some A-level papers have been voided due to being leaked online. Meanwhile Ofqual say stronger checks for smart glasses and earpieces needed as expect tech will be next challenge (along with AI in coursework) to challenge GCSE and A-Level reputation.

Cringe: it always has been, and may always will be why some people will avoid being true to themselves… this piece takes a look at why risk of being filmed or going viral for being cringe is hampering Gen Z.

Gen Alpha & AI Girlfriends: Male Allies UK found 85% of 12-16yo boys they surveyed had spoken to a chatbot, with 58% saying AI relationships are easier because they can “control the conversation”. Vice takes a look into the data indicating the spread of this and potential issues it brings.

Yes Boys Campaign: New EE campaign highlighting insight that found 42% of 11-16 boys came across content that told them to surpress their emotions at least a few times a week and that football has the power to push back on that on/off the pitch.

Student Loan inquiry: as the inquiry by the Treasury Committee begins this week student groups tell MPs that ballooning debt, sneaky changes to loans and ongoing scandals means graduates are seen as cash cows to fund older people’s lifestyles. Meanwhile The British Social Attitudes survey published on Tuesday found that 34% of people in 2025 agreed that a university degree “just isn’t worth the amount of time or money” up from 14% in 2005.

Nostalgic tunes: music listeners aged 13-24 are increasingly listening to music released before they were born. The Luminate study attributes shows like Stranger things and social media use of tracks for the shift.

Is social…social anymore? Interesting academic essay (from Danah Boyd)from a few weeks ago exploring how what we’ve typically termed ‘social media’ is now more parasocial - in that audiences are less likely to post/engage or go on to specifically do something social - instead scrolling, seeing more from people they don’t know etc. Interesting in the context of ongoing social media ban discussions and impact on youth audiences.

And Also…

• Round up of the Guardian’s Against the Tide series exploring the lives of young people living on the coast.

• Young Britons are locked out of the creative sector, according to data from Roundhouse

• Poor sleep linked to rising rates of cancer in under 50s

• Rise of young people training to be ‘death doulas’

• Campuswink - the real way some US students are finding out about what a univeresity is life (started by a parent, pairing prospective students with current ones to have a more authentic/truthful tour)

• New US high school (‘Founders School’) will charge $150k per year, but if you’ve not made $1m by time you leave, you get some money back

• How Gen Z are using Instagram over LinkedIn to get hired

Post GCSE interviews - when a teacher gets involved. Unbelievable Jeff

@charlieebarnesPhysics analysis from Danny Allen. #fyp#gcse#physics#skysports#football

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Inside the mind of a young NEET: Speaking with 400 young people not in employment, education or training (NEET), One Million Futures share a report from Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote, which argues Britain must stop blaming the 1m young people who find themselves in this position for a system which has let them down. Full report here

AI and work: a survey from Kings College London found that 1 in 3 students things AI will wipe out jobs so fast it will lead to civil unrest. While they use AI the most of age groups surveyed, they’re also most pessimistic about its impact. The findings are the first from a tracker of opinions on AI.

Is getting a degree worth it? Vice explore the latest opinion polls (over half of professionals Kickresume survey said they regretted theirs to some extent), although around 21% said havving a degree is becoming more important. The biggest underlying challenge/reason - is financial.

Screen time: health officials in the Trump administration have issued an advisory on children and adolescents' excessive screen time saying that it can be linked to poor sleep, decreased functioning in school, less physical activity and weakened in-person relationships.

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Dating apps tap into the wellness era: across the UK bars and members clubs are rebranding to tap into the wellness boom and now dating apps are emerging with an aim of matching people based on fitness interests, wellness dates and health based compatability. Meanwhile Tinder are betting on Gen Z wanting more IRL meet ups and Bumble are removing the ‘swipe’

Help - my boyfriend doesn’t read: Dazed explores the reading gaps that are increasingly existing between young men and women.

e-Boyfriends: article in Teen Vogue explores how love and deepspace players made e-boyfriends the trendiest accessory.

And Also

• A review into why more than 100 young care leavers aged 16-21 have died within a year of leaving care services has been announced by gov.

• Dangers of putting children’s images on school websites with AI scraping, blackmail and privacy risks all referenced in recent article/letter (guardian)

• Why are Paris Jazz clubs flocking with Gen Z? (plot spoiler - TikTok)

• Why Roblox is starting to take grown ups who love it seriously… £££

• Unpacking the viral Gen Alpha wedding that captivated a nation (if you’ve not kept track on Venezuela Fury’s wedding at 16… where’ve you been?)

• Masculinity content classification framework: what’s in the manosphere. Research into content types.

And Amazon’s UK boss has said we must stop blaming young people for youth unemployment and highlights the need for education, work placements and experiences developing to better prepare and align them to the job market.

Students at risk if universities go bust: a select committee has heard that 24 institutions are at risk of insolvency within the next 12 months, with many making job cuts, closing courses and selling off land. MPs were told that government intervention is required to better protect students as a result.

Twitch ‘mogging’ contests: streaming platform Twitch let users enter viral ‘mogging’ contests - which are essentially beauty competitions. Previously prohibited use of websites such as Omoggle that connect a streamer to a stranger’s video feed now allowed

What If: National youth charity Artswork launch their ‘What-If’ campaign to highlight the importance of creativity for children and young people. Watch the campaign film here and find out more here.

India’s Gen Z secondhand side hustle: with rising costs and lack of jobs, many young Indians are turning their online secondhand fashion sale side hustle into an income. And we’re seeing secondhand and vintage continue to thrive among youth audiences in UK too.

Is veganism a privilege? Billy Eilish’s comments on eating meat have sparked debate on meat, classism and racism. Young vegans and non vegans weigh in - article on Dazed.

Social media consultation: The NSPCC outline what they want to see from tech companies to keep children safer online, read that and link to the government’s online consultation which is open until the May 26.

Gen Alpha are already planning to be your boss: ways they are making money, doing jobs and chores and planning work. Meanwhile I found this post from Eliza Filby a good one on ‘why Gen Z’s won’t pick up the phone’ - some of the issues being shared about Gen Z at the workplace but perhaps the lack of experiences and opportunities they’ve had being part of the cause.

And Also

• Mental Health Awareness Week - Government call for evidence to support their mental health care strategy, with earlier intervention and tackling issues impacting children and young people.

• I Am Marlboro campaign by Phillip Morris International accused of targeting younger people by campaigners.

• Calls for urgent action into baby sleep industry after BBC investigation

• Meet the YouTube whisperers behind the likes of MrBeast

• The celebrity Gen Z what to emulate the most

It’s exam season and of course post exam match interviews are back and they’re breaking TikTok. Some of my favourites this week after first GCSE’s of the year;

And if you’ve not listened yet - latest Hear It Podcast Episode here

Online tool to help teens understand if caused harm in relationship: survivor-founded, youth-led non profit working to end sexual violence among teens Safe Before Anyone Else (SafeBae) have launched an online tool called Vibe Check as an alternative to teens using AI for advice when it comes to relationship and/or asking it if it caused harm or if they crossed the line. It’s an anonymous tool, US based - worth checking out.

What working-class boys need: in schools how do teachers tackle VAWG and help boys from working-class backgrounds succeed? Interesting research from the Open University featured in the Conversation

Hear It Podcast Season 7: I’ve brought the podcast back for a season as had met some great people who I thought you’d find interesting! First up is the legendary Molly Cookson who heads up influencer and PR at First Choice. Hear about how they set up the Better Boys campaign with George Clarke and friends, why influencer marketing doesn’t always mean huge budgets and some tips of how to do it well (and what to avoid). On Apple podcasts here and Spotify here

Under 30s want more than the traditional pub: they want experiences! Whilst stats on pubs and clubs continually shutting are shared, the BBC take a look at shifting expectations/needs of younger audiences and what they want instead.

Young men and religion: compared with young women, young men are reportedly making a far quicker return to religion. A look at the data on this in the US

Is Gen Z the most psychic generation ever? 30% of young people say they believe that they are ‘basically psychic’ (according to a Talker Research poll in the US) - a look at whether this taps into a wider theme around spirituality over organised religion, a return to ‘inner knowledge’ as a response to so much info overload and how much of this is part of shifting culture.

Young renters faced notice in 11th hour: no fault evictions were banned as of May 1… which has led to a lot of landlords evicting tennants quickly before changes came into play. Dazed speaks to young renters who have faced a really tough week.

Where teens get their news and what do they trust: US national study by the Media Insight Project has found teens most likely to get their news via social; 4 in 10 get it from search engines, 2 in 10 from AI chatbots (only 11% have confidence in AI output) and 12% have confidence in influencer output. TV and Traditional still pull in 4 in 10 on a daily basis for news

Everything is PooCrave now: PooCrave rose in the wake of PopCrave (which aggregrates news, celeb birthdays and casting announcements) and is essentially the fake celeb news that we are seeing so much of (inc a lot of AI images).

Genetically designer baby? Two of three start ups pursuing human embryo gene editing have shut down within months of launching due to lack of investment - so those wanting a genetically designer Beta baby may be out of luck. Piece in Wired.

Social bans and age verification: How would a ban or restriction for u16s and social work- some options? Meanwhile Internet Matters survey 1000 children who said bypassing age verification checks is relatively easy - with some even saying a fake moustache does the trick…

And Also…

• AI proof degrees - except, no one knows what kind of careers and therefore skills and expertise you’d need to stay ahead of the curve. US piece but interesting read

• Can virtual reality help reduce exam stress - Phase Space pilot in schools

• Match Group CEO (aka Tinder’s boss) has brought back their internship scheme… with 30k applying for just 27 spots

• Are Gen Z consigned to claiming benefits? Telegraph piece (subscription)

• Teens, malls and shopping: interviews with teens at a US mall and what it tells us about shopping habits

Apparently Millennials like more detail, polished storytelling and structured messaging, whereas Gen Z respond better to speed, brevity and vibes. Could inform some A/B testing tbh.

@busymomma131#greenscreen #millenialsoftiktok #genzvsmillenial #genz #socialmediamarketing Millennial Marketing vs Gen Z Marketing Posts

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Meta in breach of EU law: the European Commission’s preliminary findings this week found that Meta is in breach of EU law for failing to prevent children under 13 from using its Facebook and Instagram platforms. It found the measures in place were not adequately preventing children from using the platform, nor promptly identifying and removing them from doing so. If findings are upheld, they could be fined up to 6% of their annual turnover

First teenage suicide after domestic violence: as cases of teenage domestic violence rise, the first teenage suicide as a result of it has been identified. Police chiefs say violent pornography and toxic influencers normalising behaviours and abuse are behind the rise.

More alcohol content on TikTok: Advertising to over 25s on TikTok by alcohol brands was authorised in 2024 but its only been this year that influencer paid content related to alcohol has been permitted. While Gen Z are famed for drinking less, expect to see an uptick in adverts and influencer content promoting it.

Wiping the grid: not just something for the likes of Bad Bunny and Charlie XCX apparently. Dazed walks us through why young people are clearing the grid to reclaim control over an internet that feels ‘too permanent’

Friend finding apps: a look at the rise of apps to help young people navigate finding new friends and a review of how one journalist found it (Canada based). Much like dating apps, they use information to help match you to others who you’re likely to get on with.

Back for Season 7: Return of the Hear It Podcast, which is basically this substack in conversation, next week. Excited to welcome Molly Cookson, who’s led social and influencer marketing for First Choice and gives us behind the scenes of the strategy around the Better Boys campaign they ran last year.

Meet the young wikipedians writing the front page of music history: the scenes from the 2020s that mainstream music publications won’t write about are being documented by young people clocking serious hours writing about them on Wikipedia. They include Kalechi Wisdom, a 20-year-old from Manchester known online as ‘Aradicus’ who’s clocked over 1000 hours since last year writing about dariacore, landfill indie, recession pop, and shitgaze among others.

Rise of nicotine pouches and the tech bro’s on them: Wired takes a look at the brands making outlandish claims and the culture shift making pouches shoved under the lip most of the day acceptable in Silicon Valley (I’ve shared previously that these products are selling increasingly to children/teens in the UK).

And also…

• Three dads create the ‘Tin Can’ phone for children, no apps, no internet no messaging. Or as some of us might call it - a landline phone.

• A look at seaside town Rhyl in the Guardian’s Against the Tide series and how its clamp down on drugs and focus on skills is offering young people opportunities. Also cites this UCL research on English coastal towns as part of their Youth Life Chances project published last year

• The girls posting Muckbangs to pay for uni tuition (filming these has been banned in China, proposed ban in the Phillipines and South Korea there’s a crackdown on public health guidelines (as extreme versions have caused severe health issues and in some cases death).

• The young founders who say their own social is key for securing series funding

‘An element of exploitation’ - TikTok’s child skincare influencers: legally it sits in a grey area, but following the Italian Competition Authority investigating beauty brands, so too has the Guardian investigated the murky world of brand deals with children in the beauty industry. And while we’re on it - this all contributes to a rise in ‘wrinkle worriers’ of young people in their 20s.

All about the bans: phones are to be banned in school by law with an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, meanwhile headteachers and campaigners call for clarity over how this would be enforced. Meanewhilte, as the Prime Minister meets social media bosses this week, data from the Molly Rose Foundation highlights that 60% of under16s in Australia are still using social media, despite implementing a ban.

Teens online experiences: latest data out from Pew (so, US focused) finds 80% of teens turn to TikTok for entertainment and product reviews, while Snapchat dominates for daily communications as well as being the app most credited for positively impacting their friendships. 29% says TikTok impacts their productivity but over 70% say it neither helps or hurts their mental health.

Gen Z drugs of choice: a look at declining use of cocaine among Gen Z in the US, with rises in ketamine, psychadelics and GHBs - with some citing ethics over production, being more health conscious and a shift in drinking culture reshaping what drugs are being used.

Racial disparities continue in strip searching: despite overal rates of strip searching falling, this has masked an ongoing disparity when it comes to children’s ethnicities, with Black children eight times as likely to be strip searched, according to a report from the Children’s Commissioner

Child exploitation sites double: criminal gangs profit as the number of child exploitation sitess have more than doubled according to data from the Internet Watch Foundation who have found a 114% increase in child sex abuse sites (up to over 15,000 sites in 2025). Piece in the Guardian also sites the rise in children reporting sextortion, and the need for payment platforms and encryption tools to improve protection to help tackle it.

Why is everyone so obsessed with bird watching? Interesting piece in Dazed looking at how its become a growing hobby, a way to connect with nature and digitally detox.

‘Exam-obsessed’ schools leave pupils unready for work: Alan Milburn, the former minister leading the review into youth unemployment, cites a survey of primary and secondary teachers, who said there was too much emphasis on passing exams (74%), while not enough on preparing for work or developing softer skills (73%).

Gen Z are saving cinema: ok, maybe that’s dramatic, but they are showing up for the in person experience (87%) with Millennials just behind them (82%) over the past year (US survey). Thinkhouse shared this piece last month looking at this cultural shift - a rise of 25% last year of Gen Z going to cinema, the cultural relevance (and online moments so much film now rely on) and general shift in physical media consumption.

And also…

• Nearly a 5 fold increase in children being placed unregulated social care settings in England

• Huge relief for students given loan in error, as they’re given a repayment reprieve

• US data indicates a rise in graduate hiring from employers this spring

• The online degrees are being hacked and stacked, and the content creators inspiring them to do it

• A survey from Cosmopolitan says young men are worried about fertility more than you’d think

• More on why building a cyberdeck is the most punk thing to do right now

• Redefining book clubs: book crawls, silent reading parties and walking book clubs

The YouTube documentary on extreme bird watching - Listers: A Glimpse Into the World of Etreme Birdwatching

About the Girls: teens all over the country talk to Catherine Carr on what it’s like being a girl in 2026 for a new Radio 4 series, About the Girls. Highlighting the importance of tackling misogyny in schools and the microagressions and language used that needs a solution.

Are screens and social media the root cause for poor mental teen health? Harvard developmental psychologist Adam Omery explores why phone bans alone aren’t going to tackle teen anxiety and that causation and correlation have to be better identified before blanket bans.

Silent scream and social skills: is the Gen Z use of slang and the ‘silent scream’ (as in - ‘I’m literally screaming’), a sign of a lack of social skills - plot spoiler… of course not.

Where are all the ‘green jobs’? Guardian’s latest Against the Tide piece looks at the mismatch between the promise of jobs relating to the surge of green tech on the east coast, and what young people are really up against.

A generation needing hope: as Hopecore, a zillennial trend for videos that evoke hope, joy and optimism, Hollywood is seeing why such content within films (like Project Hail Mary) is booming. Meanwhile a look at why Gen Z are ‘hopemaxxing’ when it comes to politics as well.

#MilitaryTok reactions to Iran War stray from White House messaging: young people within service (in the US) are openly sharing they have regrets as they share worries about being deployed.

Should we add more friction: Frictionmaxxing, an active rebellion against todays’ technology-fuelled convenience culture, suggests we should add more friction and challenge to our lives. But as this piece in Dazed explores - whose life is actually frictionless?

Pilot campaign to get children ready for school: Along with primary school place offers, parents in York will receive guidance on things like ensuring children are toilet trained ahead of attending school, as part of a pilot project to tackle pre-school development.

Deep fried food banned in schools: the first changes to school food in a decade will see healthier foods required in schools under new government proposals. Some useful research here from Bite Back too.

Black Youth & Mental Health: interesting research from Tiwa Akinmolayan with York University on fear among Black youth (16-29), challenging dominant understanding of fear within mental health discourse in racialised and socoeconomically disadvantaged communities. “Black youth are disproportionately exposed to multiple, overlapping sources of fear…as a result, fear emerges not as an irrational emotional response but as a rational and adaptive reaction to persistent environmental threats.”

Gen Z’s biggest fear: appearing ‘cringe’ apparently. Yahoo/YouGov Poll data suggests more than half of Gen Z adults have avoided expressing themselves freely online for fear of coming across as cringe but this also seeps into ‘real life’ with 55% sharing they haven’t opened up to someone emotionally because of it too, as well as it impacting their hobbies and even job choice.

And also

• The Dorset free rave that turned into a clash with the riot squad - debate continues over who started it

• 9 universities begin legal action over the mis-sold student loans issue

• As birth rates drop, many schools face closure in rural areas (Northern Ireland)

• Dating a looksmaxxer - a look into some young women’s experiences of dating men who’s rating systems and obsession with looks is like

• The success of band Geese - yeah that was a digital marketing masterclass. Nothing new to the industry but fans online are in debates.

• Hollywood are now heavily courting influencers meanwhile YouTube is now letting influencers clone themselves with AI, which major ones are exploring to help create branded content for deals on Shorts.

• Liminal space horrors are having a moment - the low budget movie trend shaped by Gen Z’s formative years

• Meet the young people embracing naturism

And finally, getting influencers into the higher ed space has long been a party trick, but could it unlock a better alignment to student employment…

Teen link-ups: while some media fuel the fearmongoring of this “terrifying” social media trend, many experts highlight the desire for social connection, Sadiq Khan has committed £30m to late night youth clubs, ride-out events in Newcastle with 300+ young people out on bikes has led to some arrests, meanwhile in Birmingham while there were a lot of excitable teens meeting up (generated by an AI flyer for a water fight), there were 0 arrests, 0 thefts and a few water pistols….

Youth Hubs to open: 8 young futures youth hubs are set to open across England for under 18s to help young people away from crime and into work and are targeting ‘anti-social behaviour hot spots’.

Young deaths among asylum seekers: Over 50 young asylum seekers have died in the UK since 2015, 31 of which were suicides. The report from Da’ro Youth Project is calling for information to be released on these deaths, a national review and a safeguarding strategy to be put in place.

How online friendship turned into sextortion: insight into a young mans experience when he was teenager, groomed and then threatened to share explicit images. Record numbers of children in the UK are reporting sextortion online (34%), with calls for nudity-detection tech on phones.

Generation lonely: CircleUp is a new app that’s helping young people make connections in cities (London, Bath, Bristol and Cardiff), with weekly in person events to help foster connections and real-life social opportunities.

Student loans; interest on some loans in England will be capped at 6% over the next academic year (Plan 2 and postgraduate loans), to protect students against risk of inflation due to the Iran war. Meanwhile more on the story shared last week - there’s 22,000 students from 15 universities who have been told they’ll have to pay back mis sold loans, BBC feature here.

Disadvantage, SEND and School Admissions: the Sutton Trust share their findings on top-performing state schools’ admissions - they’re not just taking in fewer disadvantaged pupils than they should, but they’re also taking in fewer disadvantaged pupils with SEND. Full report here

Sex recession? Is Gen Z having sex, how are dating apps and real life connection opportunities shifting - i-D take a look at New Yorks singles scene and speaks to a number of young people about their experiences. Meanwhile this piece in the Times looks at the rise of young people attending fetish parties in London.

Iran’s social media savants: a look at the IRGC social media content creators, who are younger, quicker and less afraid of the US. The content that’s been coming out of Iran since the war began, going viral around the world and its impact.

Cyberdecks: The latest DIY obsession - meet the ‘cyberdeck’, the custom- built, portable computers as an alternative to the mass produced.

And also

• Catholicmaxxing anyone? The TikTok trend (more embraced by american youth just now) on the meaning of life and for others finding a partner

• The Gen Z consultants trading jobs for TikTok exit opportunities

• Rise in girls being identified as victims in county lines exploitation

• A look at the parallels of Gen Z dating and voting (US) in the Up and Up

• What are teens doing with role playing AI chatbots?

• Rise of ‘bilingual breaks’ fuelled by duolingo and airbnb

• What an Ivy league education actually gets you - top earnings but largely down to your connections (interesting study)

• The UK poet taking on toxic masculinity - an interview with 21 year old Sam Browne

Cyberdecks - tbh I’m sold on someone making one in a Polly Pocket shell but this is why they’re becoming so popular…