A new study by researchers at Kaunas University of Technology reveals that Lithuania’s youngest political generation is becoming more conservative and community-oriented – contrary to the assumption that younger people are always more liberal. Analysing data from 11,199 respondents over a decade, the researchers found that values like security, stability, and tradition have become increasingly important, even among those raised in a free, democratic Lithuania. These insights challenge existing value-change theories and may help educators and policymakers better support young people navigating uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

Kyoto, Japan -- Online platforms promise connection, yet the social comparison, digital surveillance, and public criticism they foster can also heighten emotional instability. Recently, these platforms have even intensified global challenges by fueling misinformation-driven unrest and deepening emotional divides. These dynamics have been linked to rising levels of distress, fear, and trauma, often shaped by collective outrage and transient narratives.

While current psychiatry offers various approaches to address individual distress, the field remains relatively under-equipped to understand the networked nature of digital mental health. Buddhist philosophy, on the other hand, envisions reality as a fluid web of interdependent relationships: a view closely aligned with digital interconnectedness.

This realization inspired a team of researchers at Kyoto University to explore a perspective which has received limited attention in clinical psychology. They imagined it could serve as a meaningful bridge between therapeutic care and the shared complexities of virtual life.