Psychology: Recent Episodes
Steve Rimmer
In the academic year 2020-21, there were 1,198 instances of racially motivated bullying reported in Scottish schools – up from 409 in 2016-17. These are the highest recorded figures to date. New research explores the impact of racist bullying like this – bullying motivated by prejudice against someone’s race, ethnicity, culture, citizenship or religion.
Dreary weather, freezing temperatures, long dark days, no festivities to look forward to – it’s beginning to feel at lot like the middle of January. The idea that there is a “Blue Monday” somewhere around the middle of the month where people feel most miserable may be a bit of a myth, but seasonal affective disorder is real enough. No wonder many people take off at this time of year in search of winter sun.
Pam Ramsden (2016) asks if social media is to blame for the worsening mental health of teenage girls, and Anna Lavis (2015) argues jumping to blame social media for eating disorders is dangerous.
Steve analyses research by Daria Kuss (2022), who explains how social media affects children at different ages – and how to protect them.
Steve analyses research by Greig Paul (2022), who argues social media firms will struggle to follow new EU rules on illegal content.