Chris Ferguson
@cjferguson1111.bsky.social
PhD Psychologist, Author of Suicide Kings; Moral Combat: Why the War on Violent Video Games is Wrong & How Madness Shaped History. Member of an awesome family.
Substack: grimoiremanor.substack.com
Website: www.ChristopherJFerguson.com
Substack: grimoiremanor.substack.com
Website: www.ChristopherJFerguson.com
Folks have been asking why so many bad studies get through academic peer-review. Today…I tell you!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Peer Review is the Worst Way to Publish Science
Except for everything else people have tried....
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Folks have been asking why so many bad studies get through academic peer-review. Today…I tell you!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
A good brief video by @taylorlorenz.bsky.social on @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social's role in the current technological moral panic, i.e. smartphones
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
The New Satanic Panic Is Here
YouTube video by Taylor Lorenz
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 5:54 PM
A good brief video by @taylorlorenz.bsky.social on @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social's role in the current technological moral panic, i.e. smartphones
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
A study of 25,629 adolescents finds "no evidence that time spent on social media…predicted later internalizing symptoms among girls or boys…The findings…do not support the widely held view that adolescent technology use is a major causal factor in their mental health difficulties" #smma
New longitudinal study finds no evidence that either #videogames nor #socialmedia use lead to later mental health issues in youth.
I look forward to the extensive news media coverage this receives: academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/a...
I look forward to the extensive news media coverage this receives: academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/a...
How do social media use, gaming frequency, and internalizing symptoms predict each other over time in early-to-middle adolescence?
AbstractBackground. The effects of adolescent digital technology use (e.g. social media, gaming) on their mental health are a major public health concern,
academic.oup.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:26 AM
A study of 25,629 adolescents finds "no evidence that time spent on social media…predicted later internalizing symptoms among girls or boys…The findings…do not support the widely held view that adolescent technology use is a major causal factor in their mental health difficulties" #smma
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
2026 new year resolutions : cycle, read, play chess MORE
1926 new year resolutions: cycle, read, play chess LESS
1926 new year resolutions: cycle, read, play chess LESS
January 2, 2026 at 4:14 PM
2026 new year resolutions : cycle, read, play chess MORE
1926 new year resolutions: cycle, read, play chess LESS
1926 new year resolutions: cycle, read, play chess LESS
New longitudinal study finds no evidence that either #videogames nor #socialmedia use lead to later mental health issues in youth.
I look forward to the extensive news media coverage this receives: academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/a...
I look forward to the extensive news media coverage this receives: academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/a...
How do social media use, gaming frequency, and internalizing symptoms predict each other over time in early-to-middle adolescence?
AbstractBackground. The effects of adolescent digital technology use (e.g. social media, gaming) on their mental health are a major public health concern,
academic.oup.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:39 AM
New longitudinal study finds no evidence that either #videogames nor #socialmedia use lead to later mental health issues in youth.
I look forward to the extensive news media coverage this receives: academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/a...
I look forward to the extensive news media coverage this receives: academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/a...
Can social science tell us much about whether the supposed “dark elements” of #socialmedia can cause #mentalhealth concerns?
So far…not really. A lot of studies don’t even really measure “dark elements” (endless scroll, notifications, etc.)
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
So far…not really. A lot of studies don’t even really measure “dark elements” (endless scroll, notifications, etc.)
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
What Social Science Can and (Mostly) Can't Tell Us About "Dark Elements" in Modern Technology
A look back at Sindermann et al., (2022), an "ok" study that got misused.
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Can social science tell us much about whether the supposed “dark elements” of #socialmedia can cause #mentalhealth concerns?
So far…not really. A lot of studies don’t even really measure “dark elements” (endless scroll, notifications, etc.)
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
So far…not really. A lot of studies don’t even really measure “dark elements” (endless scroll, notifications, etc.)
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Social scientists keep trying to find ways to make causal claims from correlational data using new statistical approaches. How healthy is this for social science? Let’s have a look!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Shiny New Stats Toys Can't Wrest Causation From Correlational Data
And it's harming social science to keep trying.
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Social scientists keep trying to find ways to make causal claims from correlational data using new statistical approaches. How healthy is this for social science? Let’s have a look!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Our new paper looks at #moralpanic in #gamingdisorder . Those in S. Korea with more negative attitudes toward youth and a motivation to "protect" youth from media had more negative attitudes toward #videogames and more acceptance of regulation/censorship.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
Frontiers | Moral panic and gaming disorder: focused on the mediation role of negative attitudes toward digital games
IntroductionWith the inclusion of “Gaming Disorder (GD)” in the official disorder manual by the World Health Organization (WHO), the concept of “Moral Panic ...
www.frontiersin.org
January 2, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Our new paper looks at #moralpanic in #gamingdisorder . Those in S. Korea with more negative attitudes toward youth and a motivation to "protect" youth from media had more negative attitudes toward #videogames and more acceptance of regulation/censorship.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
Today I take a look back at 2025 in science, with 5 huge boons, and 5 epic banes. This one is a paid post, so do consider subscribing.
Happy New Year!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Happy New Year!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
2025 in Science
5 of the best innovations; 5 of the biggest epic fails
open.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Today I take a look back at 2025 in science, with 5 huge boons, and 5 epic banes. This one is a paid post, so do consider subscribing.
Happy New Year!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Happy New Year!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Today I talk with Mairos KouLouris at Social Science Tube about the research on #socialmedia, #smartphones and moral panic. Great conversation and give it a listen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXpt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXpt...
Φταίνε Για 'ΟΛΑ τα Social Media; | Ένας Ειδικός Απαντά
YouTube video by Soc Science Tube
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Today I talk with Mairos KouLouris at Social Science Tube about the research on #socialmedia, #smartphones and moral panic. Great conversation and give it a listen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXpt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXpt...
In my post today I talk a bit about that “How We Stop This Kid From Becoming a Monster” headline, why the #toxicmasculinity nonsense refuses to die, and even how some pro-men advocates are undermining male wellness. Happy holidays!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Toxic Masculinity in Australia
This stupid term just won't go away...
open.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
In my post today I talk a bit about that “How We Stop This Kid From Becoming a Monster” headline, why the #toxicmasculinity nonsense refuses to die, and even how some pro-men advocates are undermining male wellness. Happy holidays!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Things seem to be going “just fine” at CBS now that Bari Weiss is at the helm.
In all seriousness, this reads as dodgy. Thoughts on this?
www.aol.com/articles/cbs...
In all seriousness, this reads as dodgy. Thoughts on this?
www.aol.com/articles/cbs...
CBS shelves ‘60 Minutes’ story on Trump deportees at the last minute: ‘People are threatening to quit,’ staffers say
“60 Minutes” just suffered a severe blow to its credibility. Now one of its own correspondents fears the program is being “dismantled,” and some employees are threatening to quit.
www.aol.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Things seem to be going “just fine” at CBS now that Bari Weiss is at the helm.
In all seriousness, this reads as dodgy. Thoughts on this?
www.aol.com/articles/cbs...
In all seriousness, this reads as dodgy. Thoughts on this?
www.aol.com/articles/cbs...
Is there a War on Christmas? Probably of sorts. But Christmas is clearly winning. open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Yes, There Probably is a War on Christmas
But Christmas is clearly winning.
open.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Is there a War on Christmas? Probably of sorts. But Christmas is clearly winning. open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Today in Grimoire Manor I examine claims that statins are causing Alzheimer’s Disease. They claims follow familiar patterns of moral panics & quackery-for-profit we should all try to get familiar with by now.
And no, correlation hasn’t suddenly become causation.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
And no, correlation hasn’t suddenly become causation.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Do Statins Cause Dementia?
Crude eyeballing of historical correlations rears it's ugly head again...
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Today in Grimoire Manor I examine claims that statins are causing Alzheimer’s Disease. They claims follow familiar patterns of moral panics & quackery-for-profit we should all try to get familiar with by now.
And no, correlation hasn’t suddenly become causation.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
And no, correlation hasn’t suddenly become causation.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
If only adults could pay attention to something other than teenagers’ phones…
Today I note how, after Florida implemented their #cellphoneban in schools, Florida's national standardized testing scores dropped.
We need to work harder to improve schools by improving schools, not by banning technology.
www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...
We need to work harder to improve schools by improving schools, not by banning technology.
www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...
Florida’s cellphone ban hasn’t reversed testing score trends | Opinion
Teens have been trying to tell us the real problem: The problem with schools is schools.
www.tallahassee.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
If only adults could pay attention to something other than teenagers’ phones…
Today I note how, after Florida implemented their #cellphoneban in schools, Florida's national standardized testing scores dropped.
We need to work harder to improve schools by improving schools, not by banning technology.
www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...
We need to work harder to improve schools by improving schools, not by banning technology.
www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...
Florida’s cellphone ban hasn’t reversed testing score trends | Opinion
Teens have been trying to tell us the real problem: The problem with schools is schools.
www.tallahassee.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Today I note how, after Florida implemented their #cellphoneban in schools, Florida's national standardized testing scores dropped.
We need to work harder to improve schools by improving schools, not by banning technology.
www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...
We need to work harder to improve schools by improving schools, not by banning technology.
www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...
The “age of mankind” is wiping out many animal species. But some animals are adapting remarkably. Today I take a look at 10 surprising animals who have adapted well to the Anthropocene, living among us. Paid post this one, so do consider subscribing!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Crazy Animals of the Backyard
Some critters have adapted surprisingly well to the Age of Mankind
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The “age of mankind” is wiping out many animal species. But some animals are adapting remarkably. Today I take a look at 10 surprising animals who have adapted well to the Anthropocene, living among us. Paid post this one, so do consider subscribing!
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
NEW: A leaked document shows the key group behind the teen social media ban, 36 Months, was selling a $150,000 "UNGA Event Sponsorship" in the lead-up to Australia's UN event spruiking the policy.
It promised brands "influence" and "access" to heads of state.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
It promised brands "influence" and "access" to heads of state.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 AM
NEW: A leaked document shows the key group behind the teen social media ban, 36 Months, was selling a $150,000 "UNGA Event Sponsorship" in the lead-up to Australia's UN event spruiking the policy.
It promised brands "influence" and "access" to heads of state.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
It promised brands "influence" and "access" to heads of state.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
Are genius and madness linked? I take a look today in Grimoire Manor. This one is a paid post, so do consider throwing a few toadskins my way…
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Are Genius and Madness Linked?
It's complicated...
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Are genius and madness linked? I take a look today in Grimoire Manor. This one is a paid post, so do consider throwing a few toadskins my way…
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
In sum: Jonathan Haidt has neither personally conducted a vigorous original research program nor has he run a lab sponsoring research on the relationship bw social media use and mental health. He has masqueraded as an expert in an area for which he does not have the requisite academic credentials.
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
In sum: Jonathan Haidt has neither personally conducted a vigorous original research program nor has he run a lab sponsoring research on the relationship bw social media use and mental health. He has masqueraded as an expert in an area for which he does not have the requisite academic credentials.
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
Haidt's Google Scholar profile reveals one (1) peer-reviewed paper on social media use and mental health and one (1) paper on technology use and loneliness since 2015. He is not the lead author on a single paper in the area for which he claims expertise. The word for that is: charlatan.
Haidt is "stunned" that ChatGPT asked how it would threaten youth reveals that its plan would be what Haidt has argued in his books. The secret plan!
There should be some way to rescind the doctorate of any commentator on digital media who interprets ChatGPT output like this. I am not joking.
There should be some way to rescind the doctorate of any commentator on digital media who interprets ChatGPT output like this. I am not joking.
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Haidt's Google Scholar profile reveals one (1) peer-reviewed paper on social media use and mental health and one (1) paper on technology use and loneliness since 2015. He is not the lead author on a single paper in the area for which he claims expertise. The word for that is: charlatan.
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
Haidt is "stunned" that ChatGPT asked how it would threaten youth reveals that its plan would be what Haidt has argued in his books. The secret plan!
There should be some way to rescind the doctorate of any commentator on digital media who interprets ChatGPT output like this. I am not joking.
There should be some way to rescind the doctorate of any commentator on digital media who interprets ChatGPT output like this. I am not joking.
December 2, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Haidt is "stunned" that ChatGPT asked how it would threaten youth reveals that its plan would be what Haidt has argued in his books. The secret plan!
There should be some way to rescind the doctorate of any commentator on digital media who interprets ChatGPT output like this. I am not joking.
There should be some way to rescind the doctorate of any commentator on digital media who interprets ChatGPT output like this. I am not joking.
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
Works the other way around too.
“If I was Jonathan Haidt, how would I destroy the next generation?”
“If I was Jonathan Haidt, how would I destroy the next generation?”
December 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Works the other way around too.
“If I was Jonathan Haidt, how would I destroy the next generation?”
“If I was Jonathan Haidt, how would I destroy the next generation?”
Reposted by Chris Ferguson
I'm proposing a ban on all "what ChatGPT told me" thinkpieces for eternity. Shoot them into the sun. AI is often amazing but it's not an oracle.
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
The Devil’s Plan to Ruin the Next Generation
I asked ChatGPT how it would destroy America’s youth. Its answers were unsettling — and all too familiar.
www.afterbabel.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I'm proposing a ban on all "what ChatGPT told me" thinkpieces for eternity. Shoot them into the sun. AI is often amazing but it's not an oracle.
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
In my post today I talk about a common bad stats trick…how zooming in on the Y-axis makes trivial data look dramatic.
It’s something to be on the lookout lest we become the latest mark on whatever pseudo-science crisis or scam people are trying to sell us.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
It’s something to be on the lookout lest we become the latest mark on whatever pseudo-science crisis or scam people are trying to sell us.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
The Dreaded Y-Axis of Doom
A common little trick that makes trivial data look dramatic
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:21 PM
In my post today I talk about a common bad stats trick…how zooming in on the Y-axis makes trivial data look dramatic.
It’s something to be on the lookout lest we become the latest mark on whatever pseudo-science crisis or scam people are trying to sell us.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...
It’s something to be on the lookout lest we become the latest mark on whatever pseudo-science crisis or scam people are trying to sell us.
open.substack.com/pub/grimoire...