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In this episode of Inside the Teen Brain: Screenagers, Professor Pete Etchells joins Dr. Jane Gilmour to explore the complex relationship between digital technology and adolescent mental health. Professor Etchells challenges common narratives around screentime, offering a nuanced perspective on the evidence surrounding social media, smartphone use, and attention span in young people. The conversation delves into key research findings, and the need for more precise definitions in studies on technology use. Professor Etchells also highlights the importance of fostering digital literacy and resilience, rather than relying on restrictive policies, to better support adolescents in navigating the digital world. This episode provides valuable insights for professionals, educators, and parents looking to understand and engage with teens' online experiences more effectively. 

Learning Objectives
A. To understand the complexities of the relationship between digital technology and adolescent mental health. 
B. To explore the evidence behind screentime, social media use, and attention span in young people. 
C. To recognize the importance of digital literacy and resilience in helping adolescents navigate online experiences. 



Inside the Teen Brain - Ep 6 Pete Etchells

What are the different ways in which child maltreatment is measured in research? How do different measures of maltreatment impact the relationship with psychopathology? Why are there inconsistencies in reports of maltreatment? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Dr. Oonagh Coleman about why prospective and retrospective measures of maltreatment differ.

Childhood Maltreatment and the Maltreatment Measurement Disagreement

What does the term ‘sexual minority’ mean? Why might sexual minority adolescents have poorer mental health? How can we support sexual minority youth with their mental health? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Dr. Kunle Oginni about his research into the mental health of sexual minority individuals, including young people, using genetic research designs.

Mental Health and Sexual Minority Individuals

Why is there a growing concern around screen time? Is social media bad for young people’s wellbeing? What is the impact of the digital divide? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Professor Pete Etchells about his work, the impact of screen time and social media, and his recent book ‘Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time’.

Screen Time – is it bad for you?

How important is language for children’s development? Is there a relationship between language difficulties and socioeconomic status? Do language interventions improve other aspects of development? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Professor Charles Hulme about his recent research into the efficacy of the Oral Language for Literacy Intervention (OLLI) programme.

Can oral interventions in late primary school years be effective?

In the premiere episode of Mind the Kids, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb delve into the world of the Manosphere—an online space where misogynistic content is widespread, especially among young men. Together with Professor Harriet Over, they examine the mental health implications, the growing concerns of educators, and the urgent need for research and community-specific interventions.

The episode unpacks how online influence shapes gender attitudes, the complexities of radicalisation, and the critical role of positive male role models. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding young people's motivations and the impact of social media algorithms in spreading harmful content.
In the premiere episode of Mind the Kids, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb delve into the world of the Manosphere—an online space where misogynistic content is widespread, especially among young men. Together with Professor Harriet Over, they examine the mental health implications, the growing concerns of educators, and the urgent need for research and community-specific interventions. 

The episode unpacks how online influence shapes gender attitudes, the complexities of radicalisation, and the critical role of positive male role models. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding young people's motivations and the impact of social media algorithms in spreading harmful content.
Key Takeaways
- The Manosphere poses a real concern for the mental health of young men.
- Misogynistic content is increasingly accessible and influential online.
- Educators are noticing the effects and express growing concern about the Manosphere’s reach.
- There is a pressing need for more research to understand the Manosphere and its effects.
- The relationship between consuming online content and developing misogynistic attitudes is complex and not always direct.
- Effective interventions must be tailored to the unique needs of different communities.
- Positive male role models are essential to counteract harmful online influences.
- It is vital to create safe spaces for open conversations about misogyny and gender attitudes.
- Understanding what draws young people to these communities is key to designing effective solutions.
- Social media algorithms play a significant role in what content young people see and engage with.

Mind the Kids - Should we be worried about the Manosphere?

What is the culture around prescribing antipsychotics to young people? Are there concerns around over-prescribing antipsychotics in young people? How can we reduce antipsychotics use in children and adolescents? All this and more answered as Jo Carlowe interviews Dr. Robert Penfold about the Safer Use of Antipsychotics in Youth (SUAY) pragmatic trial, as published in the JCPP.

Safer Use of Antipsychotics in Youth

In this episode, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb unravel the complexities of autism diagnosis, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked gender differences and the unique mental health challenges faced by autistic youth. With autism identification rates on the rise and growing recognition of co-occurring conditions, the discussion explores why so many autistic children and young people-especially girls-are missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. 

Dr. Miriam Martini joins to share her research on how psychiatric diagnoses often precede autism identification, revealing the critical need for earlier recognition and tailored support. Together, they delve into why autistic girls are frequently diagnosed later than boys, how anxiety and the pressure to fit in can mask autistic traits, and how diagnostic overshadowing can leave mental health needs unmet.

Tune in for a nuanced look at why understanding the interplay between gender, co-occurring conditions, and mental health is essential-not just for accurate diagnosis, but for ensuring every autistic young person receives the support they deserve.



Mind the Kinds - Autism diagnosis: The long and winding road

What happens when friendships become the cornerstone of childhood mental health? In this episode of Mind the Kids – Mental Health: Best mates and Classmates, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb, joined by Dr. Tom Wu, unravel the powerful connections between peer relationships and emotional wellbeing in young people.

From the playground to the classroom, the trio explores how friendships evolve, why quality matters more than quantity, and how popularity can shape – or sometimes complicate – the social landscape. They discuss the complex, two-way relationship between mental health and friendships, revealing how emotional struggles can make it harder to connect, while strong friendships can buffer against adversity.

The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding cultural differences in friendship dynamics and why interventions that put mental health first can lead to better social outcomes. With practical insights for educators and a call for emotional literacy programs in schools, this episode offers a fresh perspective on why supporting children’s social worlds is key to nurturing resilient, mentally healthy young people.

Mind the Kids - Mental Health - Best mates and Classmates

In this episode we’re going to be learning more about NICE's guidance for robotic assisted surgery. 

Our guests are Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, NICE’s HealthTech programme director. 

And John McGrath, consultant urologist at North Bristol NHS Trust, and chair of the NHSE Steering Committee for Robotic Assisted Surgery.

Learn more about NICE's guidance for:

Robotic-assisted surgery for soft tissue procedures: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/HTE21

Robotic-assisted surgery for orthopaedic procedures:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/HTE22

Will robotic-assisted surgery change NHS practice forever?

We’re excited to share the latest episode of Mind the Kids, hosted by Dr. Jane Gilmore (UCL) and Professor Umar Toseeb (University of York). This episode dives into the complex relationship between parenting styles and infant characteristics, exploring whether their influences on child development are simply additive-or something more nuanced.

Joined by special guest Dr. Robert Eves (Bielefeld University), we discuss groundbreaking research using large, nationally representative datasets to unpack how parenting and child traits interact. We also break down key theoretical models-like diathesis-stress, vantage sensitivity, and differential susceptibility-in accessible language, with practical takeaways for parents, practitioners, and researchers alike.

Whether you’re a parent, academic, or professional in child development, tune in for evidence-based insights and a thoughtful discussion on what really shapes children’s outcomes.

Available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, it’s an accessible way to stay informed about advancements in the field.

Mind the Kids - Parent plus child factors, does it add up?

These podcasts are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in child and adolescent mental health. They bridge the gap between rigorous research and practical application, featuring expert discussions on mental health. 

Each episode highlights cutting-edge studies offering insights into findings, and implications for practice. The series caters to clinicians, researchers, and those interested in mental health. 

Available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, it’s an accessible way to stay informed about advancements in the field.
Visit our website (www.acamh.org) for a host of free evidence-based mental health resources.

Inside the Teen Brain - Ep 6 Pete Etchells

Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

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