Oxford psychologist Dr Lucy Foulkes discusses myths and research around adolescent mental health ahead of her public lecture at the British Association of Psychopharmacology Conference (Sunday, 19 July).
She critiques Keir Starmer’s proposal to ban social media for under-16s, arguing bans won’t remove risks, may reduce teens’ willingness to discuss online experiences, and ignore social media’s benefits, especially for marginalised or isolated young people; she supports stronger regulation to make platforms safer.
Foulkes explains her “prevalence inflation” hypothesis: rising reported mental health problems may reflect better recognition, broadened definitions that pathologise normal distress, and a possible third pathway where exposure to mental health content can increase anxiety (including new evidence from Instagram posts, akin to a nocebo effect).
She addresses self-diagnosis as often understandable and frequently accurate, but warns of “concept creep,” shifting meanings, and potential trivialisation that can obscure severe illness, and she emphasizes listening to young people while exploring their reasons and needs.
00:00 Meet Lucy Foulkes
01:00 Social Media Ban Reaction
02:26 Regulation Over Bans
03:29 Benefits and Teen Agency
05:49 Mental Health Awareness Myths
06:18 Prevalence Inflation Explained
09:01 Nocebo and Lessons Backfire
12:00 Why Self Diagnosis Is Rising
15:20 Concept Creep and Costs
17:25 How Clinicians Should Respond
19:40 Next Research Questions
21:18 Public Lecture Invitation
You can watch Dr Foulke's Public lecture on Adolescent mental health: The truth behind the headlines in person or online on 19th July 2026, 17:30 – 19:00. It's part of the BAP Summer Meeting. More details online: https://www.bap.org.uk/summersessiondetails.php?meetingID=19&sessionID=743
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