A real-world issue for the in-class practicals

The new IB Diploma Psychology course requires students to take part in four teacher-guided in-class practicals: an interview, an experiment, an observation, and a survey/questionnaire. We’re looking for issues that feel real and relevant to our students, and few topics are more urgent right now than the mental health crisis among young people.

A recent UN-commissioned study by Jean Twenge and David Blanchflower has revealed a shocking reversal of the traditional “U-shaped” wellbeing curve. Happiness no longer dips in midlife—it now rises steadily with age, while young people are reporting record-low levels of life satisfaction. In six major English-speaking countries (UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand), wellbeing among teenagers has plummeted—especially for young women.

One clear suspect? Smartphones and social media.

This trend didn’t start with COVID-19. It dates back to around 2013 and has only worsened. Young people are reportedly more isolated, less socially engaged, and more exposed to cyberbullying and body shaming.

This is exactly the kind of real-world phenomenon that DP Psychology students could—and should—investigate through in-class practicals. Imagine students designing ethical, small-scale studies examining screen time, social media use, and indicators of wellbeing among peers. It’s relevant, measurable, and personally meaningful to them.

But maybe there are other possibilities, such as a shortage of good quality sleep. Diet? The mass media? The topsy-turvy economy and jobs market? Or maybe the teenage years were never really the greatest time of our life.

We may not solve a global crisis in one classroom, but maybe we will start asking the right questions.

Note that our Textbook includes a detailed section including examples of the In Class Practicals.

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