World Happiness Report
For the 8th year in a row, Finland is rated the happiest country in a global study, while the United States dips to number 24.
Mingle News
The Atlantic
Men are increasingly preferring the ease and satisfaction of online porn, finding themselves emotionally disconnected to real relationships, especially with women.
The Wall Street Journal
Idle chitchat may feel dreary, but it establishes the brain “synchrony” that allows for more meaningful exchanges.
The New York Times
The class of 2021 missed important rites of passage – first job, first car, first date. Now young adults, they’re making up for lost time.
WIRED
A simple wristwatch proved to be the smartest upgrade for one writer, helping him break free from the endless pull of his smartphone.
The Wall Street Journal
Music-focused rooms at home are helping more people detach from their devices.
NBC News
After noticing single women struggle to find straight men, Tommy Flaim founded a cornhole league for people to meet in person.
USA Today
Cybercriminals have been posing as teens online, building trust and obtaining sensitive content to use as blackmail, leading to at least 30 youth suicides.
After Babel
English actress Sophie Winkleman calls for less technology in classrooms, warning parents and governments that excessive screen time is harming children’s’ well-being.
The Washington Post
The trend of gray-colored homes in American cities is seen as a symbol of the displacement of longtime residents, particularly in once predominantly Black neighborhoods.
NPR
A study found that blocking the internet on smartphones for just two weeks led to significant improvements in mental health, mood, and attention-span.
LAist
LAUSD students will now be prohibited from using cellphones and earbuds during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies, health-related needs, and approved learning accommodations.
The Washington Post
87-year-old Doug Turner of Bucks County in Pennsylvania went viral for delivering handwritten party invitations for his “Celebration of Winter,” inspiring community connection.
Axios
Today’s teens are spending more time online and less time socializing in person, creating a tech-driven loneliness crisis that parents and educators struggle to address.
MSN
Progressive policies have inadvertently restricted geographic mobility in the U.S., trapping many Americans in stagnant communities and deepening economic and social divides.
Variety
“By lifting others, that’s how we rise up.” Brad Pitt narrates a patriotic TV ad on America’s resilience after the L.A. Fires and Hurricane Helene.
The Guardian
August Lamm shares her thoughts on how to navigate life without constant digital distractions and rediscover the benefits of presence, time, and peace of mind.
The Business Standard
The key to a long and healthy life may lie not in diet, exercise, or genetics, but in the power of close-knit communities.
New York Post
Ester Horowitz’s online quest to find friends blossomed into a thriving “Friendship Circle” for nearly 850 women on Long Island, providing a vital support network.
Bloomberg
Urban pedestrians are walking faster and doing less socializing, according to a study of NYC, Boston and Philly. Is technology or public space to blame?
The Atlantic
Many guys are bad at messaging their friends back—and it might be making them more lonely.
Axios
With bipartisan support, many states are banning cellphones to reduce distractions, foster socialization, and protect students’ mental health, though parents are divided over safety concerns.
The Atlantic
Americans are now spending more time alone than ever. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality.
MSN
Cohabs, a European co-living company, is tackling Washington D.C.’s high rates of solo living and loneliness by converting properties into shared housing spaces.
The Wall Street Journal
As economic challenges and shifting social expectations keep many 30-somethings from reaching traditional adulthood milestones, some fear the delay may become permanent.
We welcome for consideration all submissions that adhere to three rules: nothing defamatory, no snark, and no talking points. It’s perfectly acceptable if your view leans Left or Right, just not predictably so. Come write for us.
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