young people

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to announce a new 'Help to Buy'-style scheme next week called 'Your First Home'. Reports say it would allow young people to buy their first home with a deposit of just 2.5%, a far lower barrier than most mortgages require. The proposal is drawing heavy attention online, with many debating whether such low-deposit buying would genuinely help first-time buyers or fuel house price inflation.

A new study finds strokes in young adults have nearly doubled over the past three decades, challenging the assumption that cardiovascular disease is only a concern later in life. The findings are prompting calls for younger people to pay closer attention to cardiovascular risk factors such as diet, blood pressure and lifestyle habits earlier in life.

New Guardian analysis shows some of the most affluent areas of England have recorded the sharpest increases in the proportion of young people claiming disability benefits, driven largely by claims relating to ADHD and autism. Commenters are sharing the findings and debating what they suggest about diagnosis rates, support needs and the welfare system's direction.

A new Norwegian science study reports that users aged 9 to 18 increasingly turn to AI tools instead of traditional Google searches for information online. Researchers caution that the consequences of this shift remain unknown, raising concerns about how young people evaluate sources, verify facts, and develop search skills as AI-generated answers replace conventional search results.

A new essay published by MIT Press Reader argues that laws banning teenagers from social media are misdirected, and that the focus on age restrictions distracts from deeper problems with how social media platforms are designed and operated. The piece questions whether outright bans protect young people, or simply treat symptoms while leaving the underlying incentives of attention-driven platforms untouched.

A new survey in the Netherlands finds that roughly 8 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 believe their smartphone use harms their everyday life. The figure is drawing attention for how widely young adults themselves acknowledge the problem, fuelling ongoing debate about screen time, attention, and digital wellbeing among a generation that grew up with mobile devices.

A new commentary in The Japan Times asks whether young people are genuinely being heard on sustainability, despite decades of rhetoric calling them 'the future'. The piece argues that while youth voices dominate climate activism, decision-makers often fail to act on their input when shaping environmental policy and practice, prompting debate about intergenerational responsibility.

Venture investors, including figures associated with Andreessen Horowitz, are funding a new academy designed as an alternative to traditional college. The initiative reflects a broader push by parts of the tech industry to offer young people education paths outside established universities. Discussion centers on whether such programs can genuinely replace four-year degrees or serve only a narrow group.

TikTok has reached its first settlement with a US state over claims that its platform harms teenagers, agreeing to impose limits on users as part of the deal. The agreement marks the first time an individual state has resolved such allegations with the company, which faces broader scrutiny in the US over the effects of its app on young people's mental health and wellbeing.

Thousands of students have taken to the streets in Germany to protest military conscription, Al Jazeera reports. The demonstrations reflect growing opposition among young people to compulsory military service as Germany debates expanding its armed forces and defence readiness. Protesters are pushing back against any return of mandatory service, turning conscription into a flashpoint in the country's wider debate over security policy and civil liberties.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced a new housing programme, including plans to revive a Help to Buy-style scheme aimed at boosting housebuilding and helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder. The Financial Times reports the initiative is designed to stimulate construction, while The Times highlights its focus on getting young people into home ownership. The proposals position Burnham as an active voice on housing policy.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg and the group Aurora have filed a new lawsuit against Sweden, arguing the state has failed to protect children from the consequences of climate change. The case renews a legal campaign against Swedish climate policy and is drawing attention to the growing use of courts to hold governments accountable for emissions targets.

A new Mental Health Matters column in the Dayton Daily News outlines steps companies, parents and users can take to protect children from the potential harms of artificial intelligence. The piece focuses on practical safeguards and shared responsibility as AI tools become a growing part of young people's daily lives and mental health conversations.

A summit in Arizona's East Valley brought community leaders together to address teen violence, mental health struggles and online threats facing young people. The event highlighted growing concern among parents, educators and officials about the pressures teens face both in person and on social media, and about how schools and families can respond before problems escalate.

Local health departments have begun offering flu vaccines on a walk-in basis, removing the need for appointments. Residents can visit their nearest department during opening hours to get vaccinated ahead of flu season. Health officials typically encourage annual flu shots, particularly for older adults, young children and people with underlying health conditions.

Switzerland is launching National Research Programme 85, dedicated to the mental health of adolescents. The programme will fund research into the causes, prevention and treatment of mental health problems among young people. Organisations and researchers in the field are drawing attention to the new funding opportunity, which comes amid growing concern over rising psychological distress in teenagers.

Debate is growing over whether social media platforms should carry health warnings similar to those on tobacco or alcohol, aimed at encouraging young users to spend less time online. Supporters argue such labels could raise awareness of risks to mental health and sleep, while critics question whether warnings alone would change behaviour among teenagers.