Reut Avinun, PhD
@reutavinun.bsky.social
I write about #parenting from a scientific perspective. Working on a book, tentatively called: 'Debunking Parenting Myths'.
PhD in behavioral genetics/child development.
Subscribe to my newsletter - https://theparentingmyth.substack.com/
PhD in behavioral genetics/child development.
Subscribe to my newsletter - https://theparentingmyth.substack.com/
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/4 In the smartphones paper that received many headlines around the world and stressed parents about their use, another association that was found was that smartwatches were actually protective against psychopathology (see the attached table).
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
December 23, 2025 at 10:56 AM
1/4 In the smartphones paper that received many headlines around the world and stressed parents about their use, another association that was found was that smartwatches were actually protective against psychopathology (see the attached table).
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
1/4 In the smartphones paper that received many headlines around the world and stressed parents about their use, another association that was found was that smartwatches were actually protective against psychopathology (see the attached table).
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
December 23, 2025 at 10:56 AM
1/4 In the smartphones paper that received many headlines around the world and stressed parents about their use, another association that was found was that smartwatches were actually protective against psychopathology (see the attached table).
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
#smartphones #teens #screens #parenting
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/ We often hear: “That’s obvious, why do we need to study it?”
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
December 18, 2025 at 9:57 AM
1/ We often hear: “That’s obvious, why do we need to study it?”
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
1/ We often hear: “That’s obvious, why do we need to study it?”
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
December 18, 2025 at 9:57 AM
1/ We often hear: “That’s obvious, why do we need to study it?”
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
Or: “Not everything can be studied scientifically.”
This thread is about why those instincts can be tragically wrong and cost lives.
1/ Proud moment — a new paper confirms an idea I proposed five years ago 🧬✨
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#mentalhealth #depression #adversity #SocialGenomics
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#mentalhealth #depression #adversity #SocialGenomics
Polygenic Scores for Depression are Associated with Indices of Neighborhood Adversity
Genome-wide association studies have allowed for the creation of polygenic scores (PGSs) reflecting genetic liability for depression, yet recent work suggests that these PGSs may also reflect greater ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 16, 2025 at 9:40 AM
1/ Proud moment — a new paper confirms an idea I proposed five years ago 🧬✨
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#mentalhealth #depression #adversity #SocialGenomics
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#mentalhealth #depression #adversity #SocialGenomics
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/3 The TV series Adolescence dramatizes a terrifying question: how can the same parents raise children who turn out to be so different? The answer isn't in their shared home, but in the powerful, chaotic force I've been writing about: the "non-shared environment".
#science #parenting #development
#science #parenting #development
September 19, 2025 at 9:35 AM
1/3 The TV series Adolescence dramatizes a terrifying question: how can the same parents raise children who turn out to be so different? The answer isn't in their shared home, but in the powerful, chaotic force I've been writing about: the "non-shared environment".
#science #parenting #development
#science #parenting #development
1/3 The TV series Adolescence dramatizes a terrifying question: how can the same parents raise children who turn out to be so different? The answer isn't in their shared home, but in the powerful, chaotic force I've been writing about: the "non-shared environment".
#science #parenting #development
#science #parenting #development
September 19, 2025 at 9:35 AM
1/3 The TV series Adolescence dramatizes a terrifying question: how can the same parents raise children who turn out to be so different? The answer isn't in their shared home, but in the powerful, chaotic force I've been writing about: the "non-shared environment".
#science #parenting #development
#science #parenting #development
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
🧵 Thread: How parenting has evolved (and what the research tells us)
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
August 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🧵 Thread: How parenting has evolved (and what the research tells us)
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
🧵 Thread: How parenting has evolved (and what the research tells us)
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
August 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🧵 Thread: How parenting has evolved (and what the research tells us)
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/10 🧵 The "loneliness epidemic" narrative has dominated headlines and policy discussions. But what does the actual research tell us?
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
August 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
1/10 🧵 The "loneliness epidemic" narrative has dominated headlines and policy discussions. But what does the actual research tell us?
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
1/10 🧵 The "loneliness epidemic" narrative has dominated headlines and policy discussions. But what does the actual research tell us?
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
August 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
1/10 🧵 The "loneliness epidemic" narrative has dominated headlines and policy discussions. But what does the actual research tell us?
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
#LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/🧵 I recently came across an interview with public health professor Dr. Anna Gilmore that struck a chord, because what she describes happens to parents all the time.
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
July 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
1/🧵 I recently came across an interview with public health professor Dr. Anna Gilmore that struck a chord, because what she describes happens to parents all the time.
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
1/🧵 I recently came across an interview with public health professor Dr. Anna Gilmore that struck a chord, because what she describes happens to parents all the time.
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
July 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
1/🧵 I recently came across an interview with public health professor Dr. Anna Gilmore that struck a chord, because what she describes happens to parents all the time.
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
Thread about how we're made to feel responsible for complex systemic issues:
#PublicHealth #ParentingPerspective #SystemicIssues
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/ Contrary to what we’re often led to believe—especially when it comes to screens and technology—research does NOT show an increase in the prevalence of ADHD over the past three decades.
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
June 11, 2025 at 11:41 AM
1/ Contrary to what we’re often led to believe—especially when it comes to screens and technology—research does NOT show an increase in the prevalence of ADHD over the past three decades.
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Thread 1/🧵 Lately, I've been thinking a lot about RANDOMNESS. Which doctor we happen to get at the ER, whether they're at the beginning or end of their shift when they examine us, and whether we happen to sit next to someone with a highly contagious illness. #Thread #Parenting #Science
June 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Thread 1/🧵 Lately, I've been thinking a lot about RANDOMNESS. Which doctor we happen to get at the ER, whether they're at the beginning or end of their shift when they examine us, and whether we happen to sit next to someone with a highly contagious illness. #Thread #Parenting #Science
Thread 1/🧵 Lately, I've been thinking a lot about RANDOMNESS. Which doctor we happen to get at the ER, whether they're at the beginning or end of their shift when they examine us, and whether we happen to sit next to someone with a highly contagious illness. #Thread #Parenting #Science
June 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Thread 1/🧵 Lately, I've been thinking a lot about RANDOMNESS. Which doctor we happen to get at the ER, whether they're at the beginning or end of their shift when they examine us, and whether we happen to sit next to someone with a highly contagious illness. #Thread #Parenting #Science
1/ Contrary to what we’re often led to believe—especially when it comes to screens and technology—research does NOT show an increase in the prevalence of ADHD over the past three decades.
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
June 11, 2025 at 11:41 AM
1/ Contrary to what we’re often led to believe—especially when it comes to screens and technology—research does NOT show an increase in the prevalence of ADHD over the past three decades.
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
#ADHD #attention #parentingtips #psychology #health #smartphones #screens
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/ Let's talk breastfeeding. Often presented as the gold standard with endless benefits, but is the societal pressure truly justified by the evidence? 🤔 I'm diving into the research to empower your informed decisions. #BreastfeedingMyths #ParentingChoices
May 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
1/ Let's talk breastfeeding. Often presented as the gold standard with endless benefits, but is the societal pressure truly justified by the evidence? 🤔 I'm diving into the research to empower your informed decisions. #BreastfeedingMyths #ParentingChoices
1/ Let's talk breastfeeding. Often presented as the gold standard with endless benefits, but is the societal pressure truly justified by the evidence? 🤔 I'm diving into the research to empower your informed decisions. #BreastfeedingMyths #ParentingChoices
May 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
1/ Let's talk breastfeeding. Often presented as the gold standard with endless benefits, but is the societal pressure truly justified by the evidence? 🤔 I'm diving into the research to empower your informed decisions. #BreastfeedingMyths #ParentingChoices
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/🧵 Every so often, I see that same dramatic headline:
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
May 25, 2025 at 7:31 AM
1/🧵 Every so often, I see that same dramatic headline:
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
1/🧵 Every so often, I see that same dramatic headline:
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
May 25, 2025 at 7:31 AM
1/🧵 Every so often, I see that same dramatic headline:
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
“Humans now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish!”
📉 From 12 sec in 2000 to 8 sec in 2013, apparently.
What is this based on? A “Microsoft study.”
Let's talk about everything that’s wrong here.
#AttentionSpan #tech #screens
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/ The myth of the only child: a thread on the unjustified bad reputation of only children 🧵👇 #OnlyChildMyths #ParentingTruths #BreakingStereotypes
May 18, 2025 at 7:58 AM
1/ The myth of the only child: a thread on the unjustified bad reputation of only children 🧵👇 #OnlyChildMyths #ParentingTruths #BreakingStereotypes
1/ The myth of the only child: a thread on the unjustified bad reputation of only children 🧵👇 #OnlyChildMyths #ParentingTruths #BreakingStereotypes
May 18, 2025 at 7:58 AM
1/ The myth of the only child: a thread on the unjustified bad reputation of only children 🧵👇 #OnlyChildMyths #ParentingTruths #BreakingStereotypes
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
1/ 🧠 A recent study reported increases in adult concentration performance and signs of shifting test-taking styles in children (e.g., faster processing, more errors). But a closer look at the results suggests a more cautious interpretation is warranted.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD
Is there a Flynn effect for attention? Cross-temporal meta-analytical evidence for better test performance (1990–2021)
Generational IQ test score changes (i.e., the Flynn effect) have been observed for most measures of cognitive ability, although certain cognitive doma…
www.sciencedirect.com
May 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
1/ 🧠 A recent study reported increases in adult concentration performance and signs of shifting test-taking styles in children (e.g., faster processing, more errors). But a closer look at the results suggests a more cautious interpretation is warranted.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD
1/ 🧠 A recent study reported increases in adult concentration performance and signs of shifting test-taking styles in children (e.g., faster processing, more errors). But a closer look at the results suggests a more cautious interpretation is warranted.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD
Is there a Flynn effect for attention? Cross-temporal meta-analytical evidence for better test performance (1990–2021)
Generational IQ test score changes (i.e., the Flynn effect) have been observed for most measures of cognitive ability, although certain cognitive doma…
www.sciencedirect.com
May 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
1/ 🧠 A recent study reported increases in adult concentration performance and signs of shifting test-taking styles in children (e.g., faster processing, more errors). But a closer look at the results suggests a more cautious interpretation is warranted.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#ADHD