On the Radar: Marijuana and Mental Health, Teens Not Sleeping and Mister Rogers

Teen Marijuana Use Linked to Mental Illness

What? A new long-form study from health care company Kaiser Permanente found that cannabis use by teenagers may double the risk of those teens developing “psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety” as an adult. Notably, cannabis use was reported “1.7 to 2.3 years before a psychiatric disorder was diagnosed.”

So What? Marijuana use among teens is on the rise. The CDC reported that, in 2022, 30.7% of 12^th graders had used cannabis in the past year—and 6.3% had used it daily.

Now What? Research on the negative effects of a drug often comes out decades after a generation, convinced of its safety, has already harmed themselves with it. Families may want to have a discussion about the risks associated with using cannabis, especially among teens whose brains are still developing.

Few Teens Get Enough Sleep

What? Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found that “teenagers today are getting less sleep than any generation before them.” According to the study, only 22% of older teens (aged 18 or 19) reported getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

So What? According to other studies, the average teen needs eight to 10 hours of sleep for optimal health. Insufficient sleep is connected to a variety of teen concerns, including exhaustion, mental health problems and academic struggles.

Now What? Plugged In warns against phones in the bedroom at night, and one reason for this is that they keep their users awake. Parents should consider implementing such a rule in their household to help promote better sleeping habits.

Mister Rogers Homesteads on YouTube

What? A YouTube channel dedicated to re-airing episodes from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood debuted with five episodes in June 2026. The channel plans to add an additional episode each week.

So What? Kids’ media is often accused of being too fast paced for a child’s own good. According to ABC News, pediatric experts worry that “the pacing of kids’ media can significantly impact attention spans, emotional regulation and behavior.”

Now What? Plenty of parents and grandparents who grew up with the kind-spoken Presbyterian minister may be excited to share the slower format of the well-loved children’s show. Or they may just want to take a walk down memory lane for themselves.