LIMINAL

In the lead up to last week’s School Strike 4 Climate, a tweet jumped out at me. “Why are so many young people depressed?” it asked, and then presented two different answers. Teenagers: The adults have f***ed up the planet and our future. Adults: It’s the phones. Of course, both might be true. Depression might be sparked by the fate of the planet, but then fed by incremental updates and outrage delivered to smartphones in our pockets all the time. It isn’t what used to happen. Panic about 1980s' concerns such as nuclear war weren’t amplified and fed back to us through a hyperconnected echo chamber. It most certainly is bad for our health. Studies show that as screen time increases, so too do rates of teenage suicide and depression. Lead researcher Jean M. Twenge of San Diego State University compared US statistics on teenage suicide deaths, suicide-related outcomes and adolescents’ depressive symptoms, with new media use. He found adolescents who spent more time on new ...

Countless firms have pulled their support and advertising from Alan Jones’ radio program after his Jacinda Ardern comments. Just what will it take to suspend him? The managers of the station should take him off the airwaves, but not just for reasons of language. The reason to pull him off is public health. Let me explain. One of the greatest threats to health is violence. Australia has a shocking record of violence against women. On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner. Overwhelmingly, perpetratators of domestic or family violence against women and children are male. Factors associated with gender inequality are the most consistent predictors of violence against women including male peer to peer relations that emphasise aggression and disrespect towards women. Jones, who appears to have trouble with women of influence, feeds and helps legitimise an already-existing set of attitudes that condone violence. There is mounting evidence that pub...