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Reut Avinun, PhD

@reutavinun.bsky.social
121 followers 225 following 236 posts

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 - theparentingmyth.substack.com

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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
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.
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
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.
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
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
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 ...
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
🧵 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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
🧵 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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
1/10 🧵 The "loneliness epidemic" narrative has dominated headlines and policy discussions. But what does the actual research tell us? #LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
1/10 🧵 The "loneliness epidemic" narrative has dominated headlines and policy discussions. But what does the actual research tell us? #LonelinessResearch #PublicHealth #SocialScience #EvidenceBased
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
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
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
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
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
1/ The myth of the only child: a thread on the unjustified bad reputation of only children 🧵👇 #OnlyChildMyths #ParentingTruths #BreakingStereotypes
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
1/ The myth of the only child: a thread on the unjustified bad reputation of only children 🧵👇 #OnlyChildMyths #ParentingTruths #BreakingStereotypes
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
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
sciencedirect.com
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…
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
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
sciencedirect.com
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…
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
1/🧵 A study tracking American beliefs from 1996-2018 shows MANY still blame PARENTING for serious mental conditions. We need to talk about this. #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #DataNotDrama jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Trends in Public Stigma of Mental Illness in the US, 1996-2018
This survey study examines changes in the levels of stigma regarding mental illness in the US over the past 2 decades.
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
1/🧵 A study tracking American beliefs from 1996-2018 shows MANY still blame PARENTING for serious mental conditions. We need to talk about this. #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #DataNotDrama jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Trends in Public Stigma of Mental Illness in the US, 1996-2018
This survey study examines changes in the levels of stigma regarding mental illness in the US over the past 2 decades.
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
1/ I recently saw this headline. Sounds wild, right? A younger brain with so little effort? I had to track down the actual study. #attention #screentime #screens #socialmedia #aging
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
1/ I recently saw this headline. Sounds wild, right? A younger brain with so little effort? I had to track down the actual study. #attention #screentime #screens #socialmedia #aging
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
1/ The debate over screens and social media continues, but what does the research actually say about smartphones and teen mental health? Let's explore some key findings covered in this great article that might ease your mind as a parent. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Do smartphones and social media really harm teens’ mental health?
Researchers are debating the strength of evidence connecting technology to surging rates of adolescent mental illness. But they have some clear advice for parents.
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
1/ The debate over screens and social media continues, but what does the research actually say about smartphones and teen mental health? Let's explore some key findings covered in this great article that might ease your mind as a parent. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Do smartphones and social media really harm teens’ mental health?
Researchers are debating the strength of evidence connecting technology to surging rates of adolescent mental illness. But they have some clear advice for parents.
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
1/ In 1939, at an Iowa soldiers' orphanage, an utterly unethical experiment was conducted on 22 orphaned children to test the "misdiagnosis theory" of stuttering. #MedicalEthics #PsychologyHistory #TheMonsterStudy
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
1/ In 1939, at an Iowa soldiers' orphanage, an utterly unethical experiment was conducted on 22 orphaned children to test the "misdiagnosis theory" of stuttering. #MedicalEthics #PsychologyHistory #TheMonsterStudy
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
1/12 Let's talk about two recent breastfeeding studies that might be causing unnecessary alarm for parents. I'm breaking it down so you don't have to panic! #ParentingFacts #BabyFeeding #ScienceMadeSimple 🧵
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
1/12 Let's talk about two recent breastfeeding studies that might be causing unnecessary alarm for parents. I'm breaking it down so you don't have to panic! #ParentingFacts #BabyFeeding #ScienceMadeSimple 🧵
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
1/11 Ever wonder why weight patterns seem to run in families? Let’s dive into the data together and find out.The findings may surprise you #ObesityResearch #GeneticScience
Obesity, nature and nurture
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
1/🧵 The biggest parenting myth? That our behavior has ENORMOUS influence on our children. Almost every trait kids develop gets blamed on something parents did (usually mom...). This belief creates massive anxiety. But what does the SCIENCE actually say? #ParentingTips #MomTok
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
1/🧵 The biggest parenting myth? That our behavior has ENORMOUS influence on our children. Almost every trait kids develop gets blamed on something parents did (usually mom...). This belief creates massive anxiety. But what does the SCIENCE actually say? #ParentingTips #MomTok
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Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
The Montessori method is often praised for fostering creativity, independence, and academic success. But is it truly superior to other educational approaches? Let’s break down the evidence. #montessori #parentingtips #parenting #education theparentingmyth.wordpress.com/2025/03/20/i...
theparentingmyth.wordpress.com
Is the Montessori Method Really Better?
The Montessori method is often praised for fostering creativity, independence, and academic success. But is it truly superior to other educational approaches? Let’s break down the evidence. W…
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
The Montessori method is often praised for fostering creativity, independence, and academic success. But is it truly superior to other educational approaches? Let’s break down the evidence. #montessori #parentingtips #parenting #education theparentingmyth.wordpress.com/2025/03/20/i...
theparentingmyth.wordpress.com
Is the Montessori Method Really Better?
The Montessori method is often praised for fostering creativity, independence, and academic success. But is it truly superior to other educational approaches? Let’s break down the evidence. W…
011
Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD
Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
1/9 What can history teach us about our fear of new technology? If you're worried smartphones are damaging your kids' brains, you're not alone. But this anxiety isn't new—it's part of a pattern that repeats with EVERY major technological change. 🧵
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Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
1/9 What can history teach us about our fear of new technology? If you're worried smartphones are damaging your kids' brains, you're not alone. But this anxiety isn't new—it's part of a pattern that repeats with EVERY major technological change. 🧵
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