A new study released by researchers from the United Kingdom found that for every extra hour a teen spent inactive, there was an eight percent to 11 percent increase in depression later in life. However, there was some good news in the report as well. If a teen increased their physical activity, even just by one hour, it cut their risk of depression by about ten percent. A teen that increased their physical activity by two hours cut the risk by 20 percent.

The researchers also found that just light to moderate physical activity could do the trick. Everyday things like walking at school or home, running errands, and even standing to talk to someone can make a difference. If you feel you should increase your physical activity for your own mental health, try having stretch breaks, always take the stairs, do a few chores, play an instrument, or even just stand at a desk while doing your homework.

A recent study published by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found a connection between school start times and teen driving accidents. The study found that pushing a 7:20 a.m. start to an 8:10 a.m. start significantly reduced the crash rate of 16– to 18–year–old drivers in the area. According to the researchers, teens who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to make poor decisions—such as distracted driving or forgetting to wear a seat belt.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has been advocating for middle and high school start times of 8:30 a.m. or later to help promote teen safety, health, and academic performance. The AASM recommends teens get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a day. By getting enough sleep, teens are more alert in the classroom, are less tardy or absent, have better mental health, and have improved safety habits while driving.

One of the most important tips for protecting yourself from COVID-19 is to wash your hands for 20 seconds, or as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. British teen William Gibson decided he wanted the public to have more song options while fighting the spread of coronavirus.

Gibson created an online tool that allows a user to enter the title of their chosen song and artist to automatically generate a poster. The poster matches lyrics from the song to a 13-step washing routine. The UK’s NHS Health Secretary Matt Hancock has publically praised Gibson’s initiative as the posters have been shared extensively on social media. Gibson thought it would be popular, but has still been surprised to see some of his favorite celebrities posting about it. Visit the Wash Your Lyrics website to create your own poster for washing hands with your favorite song.

Every adult leader must complete an extensive Youth Protection Training program. ...

One of the barriers to abuse in the BSA's Youth Protection Program is the Criminal Background Check (CBC) ...

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