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By: L. Roschel  Technology has developed dramatically over the last decade, a change that is extremely noticeable around us, especially for Generations Z and Alpha. However, we have been misled into adopting an attractive pastime: scrolling through social media. This has not only changed how we socialize with others, but also how we relate to ourselves - contributing to the growing rates of depression and anxiety among young people.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation estimated that memory lapses, depression, and anxiety may be related to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19, along with the social impacts of isolation and loss. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by an incredible 25%. However, simultaneously with these illnesses, screen time among adolescents increased, with averages rising from 162 to 246 minutes per day (50% more) post-pandemic. This demonstrates a significant link between psychological and technological factors. However, the blame and pressure do not fall solely on these young people, as we are driven toward this lifestyle by algorithmic traps. For example, after a long day at school, the comfortable bed or cosy sofa with dance videos, gossip, and videos of celebrities' and influencers' routines seems much more appealing than a maths lesson, a book on the shelf, or even a conversation with parents. Social media has become an escape valve, an extremely dangerous one, as it keeps you hooked on video after video, releasing dopamine. This neurotransmitter regulates pleasure, just to keep you from putting your phone down. In this way, those behind these platforms profit from users’ likes and comments, while anxiety and low self-esteem also feed on the young person's soul. As a result, our generation has become marked with the label of an easy target, a process we must fight to reverse. Do not let the attractive appearance deceive you, and start thinking before clicking on colourful logos. Reflect on how you will feel after that time, decide if it's really worth your energy, and consider whether other forgotten and past hobbies deserve to be remembered. Remove that label, let it fly away with the wind, and start truly living again. By: N. Lima Access to healthcare is often defined as a universal right, yet in practice it depends on how effectively systems translate that right into timely treatment. In Brazil, the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) provides free healthcare to millions, but structural pressures, particularly in oncology, can limit the reach of care. As explored in this investigation , delays in cancer treatment remain a significant challenge, demonstrating the complexity of delivering universal access at scale. Organizations such as Instituto Protea play an important role in strengthening healthcare outcomes and the distribution of crucial resources. By financing treatment for women who are unable to access timely care through the public system, Protea contributes directly to expanding access while working alongside existing institutions. Rather than replacing state provision, this model enhances the overall capacity of the healthcare system, ensuring that more individuals receive the care they need. A recent fundraising initiative further I participated in illustrates the scale and effectiveness of this contribution. Through the coordinated efforts of donors, organizers, and a selected cohort of young volunteers, approximately $820,000 was raised in a single evening, enough to fully fund over 26 full cancer treatments. This outcome reflects a highly efficient form of resource mobilization, where financial capital led to life-saving impact. From an economic perspective, these initiatives demonstrate how allocation can maximize social returns in sectors characterized by high costs and urgent demand. At the same time, they highlight the importance of capital such as networks and collective engagement as a mechanism through which resources can be generated and distributed effectively. When mobilized within structured initiatives, these elements enable civil society to function as a complement to formal healthcare systems. Ultimately, this case highlights how healthcare access is shaped through collaboration across multiple levels of actors. The work of Instituto Protea exemplifies how civil society can function as a impactful partner, transforming coordinated effort into wide reaching and more fair outcomes, reinforcing the shared objective of expanding access to timely and effective care.  |
