Once the school pick-up routine begins in the afternoon, it can feel like mental arithmetic getting everyone to the right place at the right time: One child has math tutoring from 2 to 4 p.m., and then it’s straight to soccer practice from 4:30 to 7. The other has dance class from 5 to 8 p.m., and then the whole family isn’t home until after 9 p.m. And then somewhere in there, you were supposed to eat Taco Tuesday leftovers together as a family.
When families consistently share meals, experts say, they enjoy an abundance of benefits — such as improved emotional satisfaction and healthier diets — but finding the time to sit down together every night can sound like a tall order.
Even for those families that manage to make a shared meals a reality, the pervasive use of media like smartphones and TVs during mealtimes is yet another factor that hampers connection.
According to a new study that surveyed over 350 parents, more than 75% reported media use during their last family meal, with the most common type being smartphone use. Additionally, the parents reported that their children — whose ages ranged from 4 to 10 — were almost as likely to have used media, with nearly 70% of children also engaging in some form of media use. The findings were published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
Media use is finding its way into our lives more than we may realize, said Cecilia Sada Garibay, a co-author on the study and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Arizona. Sada Garibay hopes that with this in mind, parents will be more aware of how their devices may be affecting their most personal relationships: the ones they have with their children.
“If you have your device and you’re constantly checking it at the table, it can affect a valuable moment parents have with their children in the day, and it can have some effect on the relationship they have with their children,” said Sada Garibay, who is also a professor at the School of Communication in the Universidad Panamericana studying social media effects.
Researchers have established that when families consistently sit down together to eat, the whole family reaps experiences numerous benefits, including healthier eating, lower risk of substance use among teenagers and greater emotional satisfaction.
But according to Sada Garibay and other experts, the mealtime on its own is not the magic ingredient to these benefits.
What makes family dinner so beneficial?
Some benefits associated with family dinners are related to the food on the table, such as lower rates of obesity. But when it comes to the emotional benefits, “it’s actually not what’s at the meal at all that matters,” said Dr. Margie Skeer, a public health and community medicine professor in the Tufts University School of Medicine who researches how family meals can protect adolescents from a slew of dangers.
“It’s that family meals can provide a built-in space for checking in, sharing feelings, emotions. It’s consistent family connection,” said Skeer, who was not involved with the new research. Plus, when parents make the time to connect with their children at distraction-free family dinners, the kids realize that “they’re actually being prioritized, because we do live in a very busy world.”
Sada Garibay recognizes that time can be in short supply for parents: “I know; I have four children.” But in her view, this means it is more important than ever to find the time for family dinners.
Dr. Anne Fishel, an associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Family and Couples Therapy Program, founded the Family Dinner Project in 2010 to educate parents on how they can gain the benefits of family dinners amid busy schedules.
According to Fishel, who was also not involved with the new research, mealtimes are the “most reliable” opportunity many families have for daily connection.
“Also shared mealtimes are a ritual that creates an anchor, predictability, and a sense of identity,” she said in an email. “Rituals are as comforting and welcome to adults as they are to children.”
Different types of media use, different outcomes
The new study examined the rates of individual and paired media use for parents and children, as well as the types of media use that the subjects were engaging in.
“No forms of media consumption are the same,” Sada Garibay said. Large-screen media use is more likely to include parents and children watching the same thing together, which can offer chances for connection in ways that individual phone or tablet use does not, she said.
For example, watching “Jeopardy!” together during dinner could provide ample opportunities for families to bond, Sada Garibay said. But what she saw in the study did not suggest widespread family movie nights but rather widespread individual smartphone use.
“What is changing is this fact that this shared experience, shared media use, is being substituted by individual media use,” Sada Garibay said. “Now each member in the table, they can be together, but each one is doing something absolutely different to the others.”
When family dinners are interrupted by smartphone dings or kids glued to their tablets, Sada Garibay and other experts noted, some of the benefits of the family dinner can be diminished.
Not one-size-fits-all: How to adapt family mealtimes
The 2025 World Happiness Report found that from 2003 to 2023, the rates of dining alone in the United States have continued to grow across age groups, with about 25% of adults in 2023 eating all of their daily meals alone.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, when many families were spending more time at home together, Fishel saw a resurgence in the prevalence of family dinners.
Census data from 2022 shows that nearly 85% of parents were frequently sharing meals with their children, and Skeer says she still sees many families prioritizing the practice.
But with young people scheduled in demanding extracurricular activities, parents working multiple jobs and the constant presence of distracting devices like smartphones, it is important to remember that the practice does not have to be “all or nothing,” Skeer said.
A ‘family meal’ can be as simple as a shared snack
Even just standing at the kitchen counter together, sharing a bag of chips and asking your child one on one how they’re doing, can be a chance to connect.
“If you’re a parent or guardian or caregiver, anyone who’s raising a child, and you had five minutes every day where you literally were sitting or standing and looking at each other and talking to each other and having a daily check-in, that would give a lot of benefit, too,” Skeer said.
Try one undistracted meal a week
Finding the time for just one dedicated family meal a week — putting away the phone for 20 to 30 minutes during breakfast, lunch or dinner — could be worth it when the nightly affair is simply not going to happen.
“The frequency of shared mealtime seems to confer the nutritional benefits, but the quality of the time around the table is what fosters the emotional and psychological benefits,” Fishel said in an email. “So, even one delightful, positively anticipated family meal a week can bring well-being, a shared sense of belonging, and connection.”
Take advantage of technology to facilitate connection
With media use seemingly inescapable in the home, some families might find that a mindset of “if you can’t beat them, join them” could work best. For example, family movie nights during dinner can offer easy, conflict-free bonding time for families, Skeer said.
“Anytime you can build in those moments to connect, it’s going to be better in the long run,” Skeer said.

It’s sunscreen season! The warmer months are here, and as I start spending more time outdoors, I find this time of year is a good reminder that protecting my skin from the sun shouldn’t be just a summertime activity. Now that I’ve entered my 40s, I’ve started paying attention to what I should be doing more and less of when it comes to skincare.
And the number one, most recommended “must” is sunscreen. It’s not just a necessity for the beach or the pool. In reality, dermatologists say everyday sun exposure adds up over time and can significantly impact skin health and appearance as we age. “The effects of ultraviolet radiation are cumulative, meaning much of the sun damage we see later in life is the result of exposure that occurred gradually over decades,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shannon Humphrey.
I have always spent a lot of time outside, and still do. While my younger self wasn’t always the best at religiously applying sunscreen, it’s not too late. As you age, protecting your skin isn’t just about preventing sunburn; it’s about reducing cumulative sun damage that can contribute to wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer.
And the experts we spoke with agree that sunscreen doesn’t have to be complicated. Consistent sunscreen use is one of the best things you can do for your skin, but you want to make sure you’re doing it right.
Sunscreen mistakes to avoid
Higher SPF doesn’t necessarily mean better. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that sunscreen needs to have the highest SPF number available in order to be effective,” says Humphrey. “In reality, the best sunscreen is one you will use consistently.” You’ll want to look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UBV rays, and make sure it is a texture and consistency that you’ll actually enjoy wearing every day.
One of the most common sunscreen mistakes is not using enough. “The SPF listed on the bottle is based on a specific amount being applied, and most people use only a fraction of that amount,” Humphrey explains. To get the protection promised on the label, she recommends using approximately ¼ teaspoon for the face alone and about one ounce for your body.
An obvious but important mistake is forgetting to reapply. “One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that applying sunscreen once in the morning provides all-day protection,” says Claire O’Bryan, NP-C, co-founder of Skin Cliquie. “Even the best sunscreen loses effectiveness over time, especially with sweat, water exposure, and normal daily activities.” Most experts recommend reapplying every two hours when outdoors and more frequently after swimming or sweating. Plus, you’ll want to remember the high-risk areas that are often forgotten — ears, neck, chest, scalp and backs of the hands.
Lastly, a big mistake O’Bryan shared is using expired sunscreen. The bottle that’s been sitting in your beach bag from last summer may not offer the protection you expect. It can lose its effectiveness over time, so checking the expiration dates is key.
So sunscreen can be simple: choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, apply enough, reapply when needed, and make it a part of your daily routine. Shop some of our expert-picked sunscreens below.

“It’s a paradox, but we have found a possible explanation for why sleep quality is perceived so differently by men and women,” says Torbjörn Åkerstedt, professor emeritus at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
The researchers investigated differences in sleep between men and women, in terms of both objective measures and perceived sleep quality. 238 women and 238 men in Sweden, aged 29–85, recorded their sleep at home over one night using polysomnography, a method that measures brain activity, breathing and movements during sleep. The following morning, the participants rated their sleep quality.
The results, published in the journal Sleep Advances, reveal a clear pattern. On average, women rated their sleep quality as poorer than men, even though the objective measurements showed that they slept better. Among other things, the women had fewer awakenings per hour, a longer total sleep time, a higher sleep efficiency, and more deep sleep than the men.
Gender differences in memory
Women estimated the number of times they woke up during the night much more accurately than men, who underestimated how often they had been awake. On average, men spent less time awake each time they woke up. Men with short awakenings generally rated their sleep quality as good, whereas women generally rated their sleep quality as poorer, regardless of the duration of their awakenings.
When the researchers excluded men with short, barely noticeable awakenings from the analyses, the difference in self-reported sleep quality between the sexes disappeared.
“Our results suggest that men’s more positive view of their sleep may be partly due to them not perceiving or remembering short awakenings during the night as well as women do,” explains Torbjörn Åkerstedt. “However, we don’t yet know why that is.”
Differences increased with age
The study also shows that differences in sleep between men and women become more pronounced with age. At older ages, men experienced less deep sleep and more awakenings per hour, while women’s objective sleep deteriorated to a lesser extent. At the same time, women continued to report poorer sleep quality than men.
One limitation of the study is that sleep was measured over a single night and does not necessarily reflect long-term sleep patterns.
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers at Stockholm University and Uppsala University. It was funded by the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, and the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation. The researchers report no conflicts of interest.
Publication

I might have avoided ovarian cancer if I lived in England not Wales
Had Heather Morgan lived in England when she was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, she feels there is a good chance she would never have gone on to develop ovarian cancer.
But her postcode – eight miles (12km) west of the English border, in Monmouthshire – meant she was not eligible for a test which would have revealed that her genetics put her at a much greater risk of developing the secondary cancer.
In 2014, patients in England with triple negative breast cancer who were under 50 – as Heather was – were immediately put forward for genetic testing. But in Wales, they were not.
If Heather had had the test, she said it would have prompted her to have both ovaries removed pre-emptively.
“I am mad annoyed,” said the 59-year old.
“It’s changed everything,” she added, explaining that statistically her 10-year survival chances are 35%.
The Welsh government said a minister for preventative and public health had been appointed to address issues like this and there would be an emphasis on improving early detection in a cancer plan for Wales.
It was not until 2021 that a visible lump in Heather’s abdomen prompted further tests, and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
She then learned that she had the BRCA1 gene mutation, putting her at a greater lifetime risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
“Had I been tested [in 2014] we would have immediately known I was at high risk for ovarian cancer,” she said.
“I would have immediately had my ovaries removed. It would have been a no-brainer.
“And if they’d have said to have a double mastectomy at that point, I would have.”
Heather was 46 at the time and has kept the letter from the all-Wales genetic testing service telling her why she was not eligible.
In essence, it explained the Welsh government of the day was committed to meeting NICE guidance within the financial year, but at the time work was still being done to increase capacity for testing.
By 2015 the rules in Wales had changed to align with England, but by then Heather had finished her treatment and was not invited for the test.
“If I’m going to the supermarket and I’ve gone a bit over budget I’ll think, why save money? What’s the point, you’ll be dead next week, just buy it,” said Heather.
“Something came through the post about retirement homes – am I going to live that long? Should I be worrying about that? No.”
Heather now supports the National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline, a charity which gives advice to people with inherited cancers to make them better aware of the options and rules.
The helpline recently opened an information centre in Flint, north Wales – its first in the country – and is also now branching out to offer support for the cancers associated with BRCA gene mutations.
The helpline’s founder, Wendy Watson, said disparities were not just cross-border but could exist between health boards and trusts across England and Wales.
“We do have postcode lottery healthcare,” she said.
“We shouldn’t have – NICE guidelines should sort that out, but at least we’re here to provide people with access to the information.”
Heather’s family has seen first-hand that discrepancies exist between English health trusts too.
She has two adult daughters and while her youngest has been invited for genetic testing in the north-east of England, her eldest daughter in the north-west, has not.
What are BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations?
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations greatly increase an individual’s chance of developing certain cancers, including breast and ovarian.
According to the NHS women in the UK have a 12.5% chance, on average, of developing breast cancer in their lifetime and a 2% chance of developing ovarian cancer.
For women with BRCA1 gene alterations, those lifetime risks increase to 72% for breast cancer and 44% for ovarian.
For women with BRCA2 gene alterations, the lifetime risks increase to 69% for breast cancer and 17% for ovarian.
They both come with an increased risk of developing the cancers at a younger age.
NICE guidance recommends annual MRIs to women with BRCA gene mutations from the age of 30-49, with annual mammograms possible from 40 onwards.
While Louise Owen’s experience is different, there is a common theme of conflicting advice and discrepancies which prompted her to lean on the support of the helpline.
The 36-year-old has known for over a decade that she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation, again putting her at an increased lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
When she turned 30 she had her first MRI as part of the screening available for those with an inherited risk.
But she was told subsequent annual MRIs were not possible as she was breastfeeding, despite her own research suggesting they were safe.
The issues set out by the Breastfeeding Network, Royal College of Radiologists and Society of Radiographers point to questions around the contrast dye that is injected before a breast MRI.
Each conclude that while personal choice is key, it is safe to continue breastfeeding after an MRI “as there is no evidence of risk to the baby/child”.
However Breast Test Wales said: “MRI breast screening is possible while a woman is breastfeeding but the accuracy of the imaging is reduced due to the changes in breast tissue, which can also lead to unnecessary interventions.”
Louise, a mum-of-two, said: “I’m really angry about it, because I feel like why should I have to choose whether I get screening or whether I stop breastfeeding?”
Having seen her own mother go through years of cancer treatment before she passed away in 2016, Louise said her own risk of developing cancer played on her mind a lot and screening would help allay those fears.
However, as a breastfeeding peer support worker, she also feels strongly that she wants to continue feeding her three-year-old until he is ready to stop.
A spokesperson for Breast Test Wales said: “The All-Wales programme for screening this very high risk group of women was rolled out earlier this year across all regions of the country, to provide a consistent service across Wales which is delivered at a hospital in their region.
“MRI breast screening is possible while a woman is breastfeeding but the accuracy of the imaging is reduced due to the changes in breast tissue, which can also lead to unnecessary interventions.
“Breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life provides them with the best nutrition and also helps in reducing the risk of breast cancer in the mother.
“Breast awareness is always important but particularly so for this group of women at higher risk, and we would advise that they continue to carry out self-examination regularly, and seek medical advice if concerned, while pregnant and breastfeeding.”
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A Northern Californian has been confirmed as the fourth-ever person diagnosed with a newly recognized and rare tick-borne disease that causes symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
The California Department of Public Health confirmed the latest case of Rickettsia lanei bacteria in a patient who was diagnosed in April of this year. Two other California cases were reported in 2004 and 2023.
Public health officials told The Times that the infected person “was seriously ill, hospitalized and has since been discharged and is recovering.”
It is unclear how long the person was in the hospital or what their symptoms were. The state agency said it could not disclose the home county of the person but confirmed the infected person lived and worked in Northern California.
Rickettsia lanei comes from the spotted fever group Rickettsia, bacteria transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected tick.
In California three types of ticks — the American dog tick (Dermacentor similis), the Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis) and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) — can transmit the bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever in humans and dogs, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever can range from fever and a rash to long-term effects that include damage to internal organs or neurological disorders.
The tick-borne disease has been spreading globally since the early 2000s, most notably in Mexico and Brazil, with reported fatality rates that can exceed 50%, according to a study published by UC Davis.
What is Rickettsia lanei?
Rickettsia lanei bacteria were identified this year in a few Pacific Coast ticks, including a tick in Contra Costa County, according to SFGate, where the latest case was first reported in April.
The new bacterium was added to the list of potentially transmittable pathogens in 2024 by the state public health department after its severe symptoms were studied in two cases of infected men nearly 20 years apart, according to a report published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emerging and Infectious Diseases journal.
“Sustained investment in public health has enabled development of the advanced molecular tools that detected these infections,” the California Department of Public Health said in a statement to The Times.
According to the report, both men fell ill after spending time outdoors, one playing golf at five courses in Alameda and Contra Costa counties within 14 days of the onset of his symptoms. This first patient had fever, headaches, muscle pain, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea and abdominal pain, among other symptoms. His condition worsened on his third day in the hospital, according to the report. The man was ultimately in the hospital for 22 days, including 11 in the intensive care unit with a primary diagnosis of rocky mountain spotted fever and a secondary diagnosis of acute kidney injury.
The other infected person had visited and camped at a county park and state beach in San Mateo and Marin counties. The second man reported a five-day history of headaches, vomiting, light sensitivity, neck pain and confusion, according to the report. On the third day of hospitalization, the man became comatose and was intubated, the report stated. After 13 days, he was discharged with a primary diagnosis of severe Rickettsia.
Researchers have known about Rickettsia lanei since 2018 when it was detected in rabbit ticks in Sonoma County, but they didn’t know its potential harm to humans because the rabbit tick rarely bites people.
“The Pacific Coast tick, which bites humans more frequently, may occasionally acquire the organism from an infected rabbit, which is the most likely route for the rare human infections that have been identified,” the state health agency said.
Should I be worried about contracting Rickettsia lanei?
Human infections are rare but could be underreported because Rickettsia lanei symptoms are very similar to those of rocky mountain spotted fever, said Janet Foley, veterinarian and disease ecologist at UC Davis.
“I think it’s so new that I don’t know if anybody’s really gotten a grant to study it or put it under a microscope,” Foley said.
Rickettsia lanei bacteria cases could also have gone undetected for so long because some cases were not severe, she said.
Foley said Californians should be aware of Rickettsia lanei and take precautions against tick bites.
How to keep disease-carrying ticks at bay
The best way to avoid ticks and tick bites is to be vigilant in your surroundings, Foley said, noting that ticks can transmit other diseases such as Lyme disease.
To keep a disease-carrying tick at bay, Foley recommends: