Psychology

Are Online Friendships 'Real' Friendships?

I often hear adults dismiss teenagers’ online friendships as somehow less valid than “real” friendships. This always strikes me as both wrong and a bit ironic—many of those same adults met their partners online.

Emotion Regulation: The Skill Nobody Taught Us

We spend years in school learning math, history, and science. But the skill that affects almost every aspect of our lives—managing our emotions—is often left to figure out on our own.

The Comparison Trap: Why We Can't Stop Measuring Ourselves Against Others

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” It’s a nice quote, but telling people to stop comparing themselves to others is like telling them to stop breathing. Social comparison is fundamental to how humans work.

Why Notifications Make Us Anxious (And What To Do About It)

That little red badge. The buzz in your pocket. The preview flashing on your screen. Notifications are designed to grab attention—and they’re remarkably good at it. But at what cost?

Group Identity in the Digital Age: Tribalism Isn't Going Away

Humans are tribal creatures. We’ve always organized into groups, defined ourselves by group membership, and sometimes viewed out-groups with suspicion. The internet didn’t create this tendency—it amplified it.