All articles tagged with #youth
A surge of AI skepticism is evident in the United States, especially among young people, with polls showing about 70% think AI is moving too fast and more than half hold negative views, while only 18% of young people feel hopeful—driven in part by concerns about AI disrupting the job market and notable public booing of executives who spoke about AI.
Axios highlights Gallup’s 2025 data showing U.S. youth (ages 15–34) view the local job market far less favorably (43% say it’s a good time to find a job) than those 55+, who are at 64%—a 21-point gap and the widest intergenerational split among 141 countries surveyed. Globally, the median gap is about 10 points, with older adults typically more pessimistic elsewhere. The drop in optimism is most pronounced among educated, not-yet-employed young Americans, and analysts attribute part of the decline to AI reshaping entry-level opportunities and the importance of social capital in hiring.
California lawmakers are weighing AB 1942 (requiring DMV registration and license plates for Class 2/3 e-bikes) and AB 1557 (lowering the motor-aid speed to 16 mph and capping peak power at 750W for Class 1/2), along with SB 1167 to bar high-power e-motos from being marketed as e-bikes. If approved, the rules would take effect Jan. 1. The bills aim to improve enforcement and safety amid rising e-bike use—especially among youths—though critics say they could deter biking and miss the real safety issue of car traffic.
In Washington, D.C., a growing group of 20- and 30-somethings joined the Month Offline program, swapping smartphones for basic flip phones for a month to curb social‑media use. Participants like Jay West and Rachael Schultz describe moments of boredom but also newfound freedom as they navigate without Google Maps or Spotify; average daily screen time dropped from about six hours to four. Organizers say the goal is to foster a richer, communal social life, and researchers note such smartphone detoxes can improve well‑being and attention. The program costs around $100 and includes a flip phone plus peer discussion sessions, signaling a budding movement toward digital sobriety among young Americans.
Thousands of young protesters, including 22-year-old Gohta Hashimoto, are mobilizing to defend Article 9 of Japan's postwar pacifist constitution as the LDP pushes constitutional reform and a broader Self-Defense Forces role, with demonstrations across Tokyo and other cities signaling cross-generational concern about Japan being drawn into overseas wars; any amendment would still require a two-thirds parliamentary majority and a nationwide referendum amid divided public opinion.
Gallup's 2024–2025 data show 18–29-year-old men now rate religion as 'very important' at 42%, up from 28%, while their female peers are at 30%; this reverses a long-standing gap for this age group. Young men also edge ahead in religious affiliation (63% vs. 60%) and attend services more frequently (40% vs. 39%), with the rise largely driven by young Republicans. The shift is unique to the 18–29 group; older adults, including women, remain less religious on these measures.
NBC News reports rising underage gambling risks, detailing cases like an 11-year-old who started with digital skins and a college student gambling 15 hours a day, to show how easy online betting has become for teens. The piece notes industry tactics, ad campaigns, and new platforms that normalize betting, and it highlights growing treatment needs and school or state-led prevention efforts as parents and educators struggle to address a problem that can lead to debt, neglect, and even thoughts of suicide.
University students in Pakistan describe revenge bedtime procrastination—staying up late to reclaim personal time—driven by autonomy, FOMO, and stress. Psychologists and doctors say it can signal underlying mental health issues and, while offering temporary control, it leads to fatigue, irritability and poorer academic performance unless awareness and healthier daytime routines are adopted.
Teens are turning to The Brick, a hardware app-blocking device, as a tangible way to curb phone use and push for digital detox beyond softer self-control schemes.
A global Gallup poll of 107 countries shows the economy is named the top problem by a median 23% of adults in 2025; affordability of housing and basics weighs most on lower-income countries, while younger people express the greatest concern, and perceptions of the economy track more with household income than with GDP growth, highlighting the gap between national indicators and daily lived realities.
A CMAJ analysis of Ontario birth cohorts finds psychotic-disorder diagnoses rose 60% among ages 14–20 between 1997 and 2023, and those born in the early 2000s are roughly twice as likely to be diagnosed by age 20; researchers suggest rising cannabis and other substance use among teens may be contributing and urge more study.
UK broadcasters and researchers report a Gen Z loneliness trend, with some youths turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for companionship; YouGov finds 33% of 16–29-year-olds feel lonely, and an Onside survey shows 39% of 11–18s use chatbots for support (21% say AI is easier to talk to than a real person in the North West). Experts warn AI cannot replace trusted adults or professional help, underscoring the need for accessible mental-health resources and human connection.
Iran’s latest protests diverge from 2022’s hijab protests, driven more by economic hardship and a masculine crowd, with younger Iranians increasingly backing Reza Pahlavi and some chanting for the former shah. The crackdown has left at least 30,000 dead and has raised questions about the regime’s survival and the shape of any future transition, whether toward a republic or a monarchy led by a transitional figure.
Meta, TikTok and YouTube are facing a landmark lawsuit alleging their platforms employ design features that addict young users, a case that could influence future regulation and how the tech industry weighs user well-being against engagement.
France is pushing a new law to block under-15s from major social networks such as Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, with regulators compiling a list of harmful sites and a separate, parent-approved list for others. Macron wants the measure in place by September and has backed fast-track passage to clear the Senate, alongside a mobile-phone ban in senior schools. The move fits a broader European trend, though previous 2023 attempts faced European-law objections, and age-verification mechanisms will be a key implementation issue.