iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Anthony Painter @anthonypainter.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Simply read this summary on what is driving the increased prevalence of mental health distress from the long awaiting final independent report into teenage mental health. Now compare it to the public discussion on mental health which basically comes down to social media and over-diagnosis.

The rise in mental distress among children and young people has unfolded alongside profound changes in the conditions of childhood. No single cause explains it. Family life, education, communities, digital environments and economic security all influence whether children feel safe and connected, have time to recover, can participate in everyday life and can look to the future with confidence.

Among the possible drivers, digital environments and educational pressures show the closest correspondence with the timing and pattern of rising distress. Neither is likely to be the principal cause. The evidence indicates that these environments have become more significant contributors than for previous generations, interacting with family circumstances, economic insecurity and existing vulnerability rather than operating alone. Continuous comparison and visible evaluation, disrupted sleep, reduced opportunities for belonging and recovery, and growing uncertainty may reinforce one another.

The strongest protective factors for mental health are supportive parenting relationships, positive educational experiences, and community participation and belonging. The pandemic, economic insecurity, pressures on families and the decline of community infrastructure do not explain the trend on their own, but they have intensified pressures and weakened sources of protection. These effects are not evenly distributed. Children experiencing poverty, discrimination, SEND, care experience or family stress often bear the greatest burden.

Prevention cannot rest solely on helping children cope with environments that place growing demands on them. It also requires action to improve those environments: more inclusive schools; protected time for rest, play and belonging; stronger community infrastructure; reduced poverty and insecurity; practical support for parents and carers; and enforceable duties on digital platforms to protect children while preserving the connection and support they can pro…

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Rachel Parris @rachelparris.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Hey folks. In total honesty my tour is NOT selling well. I’ve sold 30 tickets in a 400 seater in Birmingham, and not much more elsewhere. If you like musical comedy, if you like standup, then please come see my show! And spread the word! The Rachel Parris Songbook tour starts in Nov! Link in bio! 🎶

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Stuart Rowntree @primarythink.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I think society needs to be softer, calmer, more patient & kinder. More willing to talk & to care. I don't say that from any high ground. I say it as someone who's needed all of those things and not always been given them, or been able to give them. I'd like to think I can contribute to that.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I've emailed my MP about this- please do the same if you live in or near Somerset or care about live theatre. Medium-sized theatres like the Brewhouse play an important role, and it seems inconceivable to me that it should close down.

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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Obama: “Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening. It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent right now would have tolerated behavior like that from me.” Clip courtesy @meidastouch.com

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

It's frustrating to hear people outside of schools claim teachers need better training on SEND. At my school, we receive and embrace regular training. The issue isn't practitioner knowledge and understanding; it's lack of adults and resources to actually do what we know needs doing.

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John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 10/09/2026

What is this comment from the Labour MP? No, the issue here isn't that the attempted pogrom had the wrong targets!

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Joshua Seigal - 'YAPPING AWAY' out now! @joshuaseigal.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I would be so grateful if everyone who sees this could give it a repost. Due to some unforeseen expenses, finances are tough, but I really do have a lot of positive stuff to offer. Website: www.joshuaseigal.co.uk Sending huge love to all @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social #BackToSchool #EduSky

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

When my daughters' secondary school brought in awful, uncomfortable new skirts- entirely unnecessarily- it was all, "It's ok, we're paying for every girl to get a free skirt." What a waste of limited money.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Simple solution: schools scrap blazers, ties and fancy P.E. kits for simple polo shirts and jumpers. It's ludicrous when there is so little funding available in education that it should be going towards unnecessary uniform costs rather than actual learning resources.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

“We need an Ozempic for cars. They are growing at a phenomenal rate, wreaking havoc on roads, squeezing out smaller vehicles and endangering pedestrians. Like ever-hungry teenagers, cars in Europe are growing on average a centimetre wider every year.” Don’t repeat North America’s mistake, Europe.

theguardian.com

Britain’s cars and SUVs are growing bigger – but there is a way to stop this deadly ‘carspreading’ | Christian Wolmar

Larger vehicles crowd our roads and are far more dangerous to pedestrians. Let’s curb them before they do even more damage, says says transport commentator Christian Wolmar

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David @zero-4.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Performative patriotism He’ll wear the shirt but dodge the tax #bbclaurak

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Paul Kirkley @paulkirkley.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Having failed to interest any papers in this story, I resorted to writing a letter to The Times, like in olden times. So when all that's left to watch is NASCAR racing sponsored by Cheetos, I can at least say I tried. #ITV #Sky #Comcast

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Also recommend going to see the Veiled Christ at Sansevero- it is incredible

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Da Michele for a truly authentic pizzeria experience costing pennies 🍕

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Mr E @theniceman.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

This is supposed to be good? Less care refining what she says and less input from colleagues? Have they even read their own case studies? Or did AI write them?

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Kat Tenbarge @kattenbarge.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

The rise of AI-generated animal videos and images is such a travesty. Animal content has always been one of the best things about the internet and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell what’s real

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CJ @noburdenbutjoy.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Useful!

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Sasha Costanza-Chock @schock.cc · 19/06/2026

The most dangerous thing about AI is not that the machines might one day think. It is that we are being trained, by men with enormous financial gains riding on our acquiescence, to stop thinking for ourselves.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Made me cry. Michelle and Barack- normal, warm human beings who know how to show genuine interest in other people. Regardless of politics, surely we want leaders like this.

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Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

A Michelle Obama Appreciation Post: I deeply admire your elegance, graciousness, beauty, accomplishments, relatability & effortless class. Thank you for being one of the greatest First Ladies of all time!🙏 Much ❤️ from one of your countless fans, Mar🐫

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

This is a self-indulgent moan, but I need to feel seen. Life for single parents is hard. Lonely, exhausting, relentless, intense. A hard day at work- get home and straight into caring. A hard morning at home- off to work and more caring. Giving so much of yourself. Just wanting to be looked after.

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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I'm sure I will. I'll actively try to get into it. But it feels like Trump is seeping into the things which should provide uncomplicated joy.

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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I can't get excited about this World Cup. I try to tell myself Canada and Mexico are hosts as well. But it just feels tainted.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Let us know how they get on with it!

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Yes. I mean, education is in absolute crisis but let's make a pointless celebrity video...? Who do they think it will appeal to?!

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

I have... I just mean, I don't really understand what the hell is going on!! What is the point of it and what are we supposed to make of it?!!

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

I feel exactly the same as I did on that morning, I just realise now you said that.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Excited to see @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social Tom Cox is at Ilminster Literary Festival...then gutted to see it's during the day

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

So frustrating looking at online y6 teacher groups. So many schools cutting back on foundation subjects for constant SATS revision, booster sessions and 'clubs'. I strongly believe that this is wrong- SATS should be testing the curriculum taught normally- but if we don't do it, we are penalised.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

That's so lovely! I remember as a teenager spending hours typing up and printing out my favourite song lyrics and making a book of them so I would have been all over this! It's poetry.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

I took my class to visit the local library recently. As we were walking back, they were chatting contentedly about the books they'd looked at and enjoyed. Until we rounded a corner and came upon the police arresting a man and bundling him into their van. The library was not mentioned again.

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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

And they wonder why we struggle to recruit in the areas where we need school staff the most 🙄

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

When SLT have to spend meeting after meeting poring over squeezing out our staffing so that we have adults in the right places to keep children safe, there isn't as much time to focus on teaching and learning, on quality of education.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

As someone who works in a school serving a disadvantaged rural community (in one of the lower attaining counties nationally), I see that we are asking staff to push themselves to burnout in trying to do the best for their children instead of funding the schools so there can be enough adults.

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Cerys Turner @cerysturner.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Ofsted's chief warns that he won't “downplay disappointing outcomes” in Ofsted’s grading of disadvantaged schools. This is despite analysis for Tes showing schools in deprived areas may be “unfairly penalised” for their achievement outcomes.

tes.com

Ofsted chief will ‘not downplay’ disadvantaged schools’ outcomes

Analysis of the watchdog’s report card system has shown that disadvantaged schools may be ‘unfairly penalised’

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Hemry, Local Bartender @bartenderhemry.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

these dudes are so cool

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

This is their one childhood. It should be full of play, exploration, wonder and community. And for some children, school is the only place they will (should*) be guaranteed to encounter those things.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

I always think it when I encounter angry people driving...how unpleasant it must be to constantly be in an unnecessary rush and to be so cross with every other road user! It can't be a nice way to live.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

It is very interesting, thanks.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Hi, I'm a primary teacher in y6 in Somerset- been in primary for the past 6 years, teaching for 20- previously in secondary and middle, as well as being a childminder. I've done many stages and love different things about all of them. Hate SATs and the stuffed primary curriculum, but love teaching.

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Aaron King @9000lives.org · 04/03/2026

Bringing #FFBWednesday to BlueSky. Ready to build genuine education connections? 💫 Like and repost 💫 Comment with your edu bio + #FFBWeds 💫 Follow everyone who participates Let's create the education community BlueSky deserves.

Callout reads #FFBWednesday: Connecting UK Educators and Education.

A matrix shows excellent people involved in education, including worthy BlueSky contributors:
1. @simonebeach.bsky.social, a primary school headteacher
2. @bennewmark.bsky.social, a secondary school teacher
3. @hoylerosemary.bsky.social, a chair of governors
4. @5naureen.bsky.social, a school governor
5. @primaryteachermary.bsky.social, a primary school teacher
6. @nourishworkplce.bsky.social, a supporter for school wellbeing
7. @simonknight100.bsky.social, a special school headteacher
8. @danlyndon.bsky.social, a secondary history specialist / teacher
9. @schoolsweek.bsky.social, a widely respected education newspaper.

Footer reads @9000Lives.org

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Briar Darby Sinéad Madarch (fae/it/he) @sineadthefae.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

just fucking do SOMETHING and don’t let the constant stream of atrocities keep you frozen in inaction. yeah, pay attention to the news, but make sure you know when/how to look away at least long enough to take care of those around you & do what you can to support work that needs doing. thanks 9/9.

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Chris @chrs00.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

It never ceases to confound me just how many folks think the point of essays is to provide teachers with essays. That teachers just like, collect them, or need them for sustenance or something. Rather than the point of them being the *actual fucking act of learning how to think about shit*

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

A worry I have is that when you find just the right support to help a child to flourish, they can *appear* to no longer need it. In other words, when the provision is right, they thrive... "Oh look, they're thriving at school now- they no longer need all that provision" 🫤

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