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A viral teen-hosted podcast, ChatGPT’s steel-trap memory, and TikTok’s simple life trend

New trend on TikTok emphasizes the little joys of life to help handle the pressure

The Gist: Students are using their TikTok accounts to share the small moments of day-to-day life that bring them joy. The videos usually consist of short, aesthetic clips (like a yummy food, sunlight in the trees, or a walk with friends) with the caption “Silly me, I almost forgot that this is the whole point.” The trend serves as a gentle reminder of the peace that comes with focusing on the little joys of life rather than getting caught up in the stress and pressure life can sometimes throw at you. After all, the point of life is to embrace it, not waste it by worrying it away.

What to Know: It’s important to highlight that this trend isn’t about escaping problems – it’s about students focusing on the things that ground them in gratitude. There’s more to life than constantly worrying about test grades and job interviews. While these things are incredibly important, it’s easy to let the stress overshadow the small things that make us happy. Students are using their platforms to not only remind themselves of everything they’re grateful for, but also to inspire others to reflect and do the same. 

Gratitude is a powerful tool that can improve student mood and sleep while also increasing social connection. This study from the National Library of Medicine analyzed sixty-four randomized clinical trials and found that patients who underwent gratitude interventions experienced better mental health and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. The results indicate that acts of gratitude can therapeutically increase positivity in the general population – when we express gratitude, we avoid the negative feelings of pessimism, unhappiness, anger, jealousy, and loneliness.  

TSI’s Take: It’s inspiring to see students using their platforms to spread gratitude and positivity. Not only does it make them happier, but it empowers others to do the same. As educators, we can help equip students with the tools they need to harness gratitude in their lives. Here are some tips to help students embrace positivity: 

• Document the good – Have students capture and share moments of kindness, resilience, and joy – whether through photos, journals, or short videos. This builds a digital footprint rooted in gratitude.
• Speak with intention – Teach students how to use their words to uplift, support, and inspire. Practicing thoughtful communication – especially online – helps them shape healthier spaces for themselves and others.
• Deflect negativity – Equip students with strategies to navigate negativity online or in person. Encourage them to respond with empathy, set boundaries, or redirect conversations in positive directions.

Want to learn more about how to help students use their mics for good? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Reflecting our values in the content we share or consume.

As ChatGPT releases a new memory upgrade, it’s more important than ever to stay mindful of the information we share with chatbots

The Gist: OpenAI is starting to roll out a new memory feature for ChatGPT that allows the chatbot to tailor its answers based on every old conversation you’ve had with it. The feature will appear in settings as “reference saved memories,” and the goal of the update is to make the chatbot more personal, eliminating the need to constantly repeat information. 

What to Know: Some users won’t be thrilled about the chatbot gathering and storing even more of their information, but everyone will have the ability to opt out of the permanent memory. Users can turn off the new memory feature, ask ChatGPT what it remembers, manage specific saved memories, and switch to a temporary chat. 

As educators, we can help students remember that generative A.I. won’t be going away any time soon. Cengage recently ran an A.I. in education report, which found that 92% of instructors and 83% of students say A.I. literacy needs to be embedded in learning. Consequently, 65% of students feel they know more about A.I. than their teachers. There’s an opportunity here: schools that empower educators with A.I. knowledge are the ones that will truly prepare students to make healthy decisions in the future. 

TSI’s Take: With the new ChatGPT enhanced memory update, educators can emphasize the importance of being mindful about what students share with chatbots. Through A.I. literacy, we can equip students with the knowledge they need to protect their privacy. Here are some tips to help students use tech to control their privacy: 

• Use tech to control tech – Teach students how to explore privacy settings on the tools and platforms they use, including features that limit data collection or disable memory functions. Knowing where to look is the first step in staying in control.
• Don’t overshare – Help students reflect on what kinds of personal information is safe (or unsafe) to share with A.I. or any online platform. Use roleplay or real-world examples to make it stick.
• Detect red flags – Help students recognize when a website, chatbot, or app might be asking for too much information. Teach them to spot phishing attempts, fake accounts, or overly invasive data requests.

Want to learn more about how to help students protect their privacy? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Protecting our personal information from A.I.

This viral group of teenage boys highlights a growing trend of teens and tweens starting their own podcasts

The Gist: A group of four best friends in Maryland is going viral for their podcast, MD Foodie Boyz, which they use to talk about food. They’ve done segments about cafeteria food, their favorite pizza toppings, and the best movie theater snacks. They started gaining attention when their social media manager – one of the boys’ 19-year-old brother – posted a clip of them having an extensive conversation about celery on their Instagram account. The video got over 5 million views, and since then, the boys have amassed nearly 200,000 followers. 

What to Know: This group of friends is a great example of a new emerging trend – teens and tweens starting their own podcasts. The boys were inspired by the enormous success of podcasts they listen to, and are trying to emulate the easy-going and casual conversations they hear and see on those podcasts. As the Foodie Boyz gained popularity, Dave Portnoy invited them to the Barstool Sports office, where they appeared on the company’s Fish Bowl podcast and Portnoy’s YouTube show One Bite Pizza Reviews. 

TSI’s Take: This rise in student-led podcasts reflects a larger shift: students want to be heard. They’re not just consumers of content – they’re creators, thinkers, and collaborators, too. As educators, we can empower students to represent themselves in a positive way online by encouraging them to play to their core values. Here’s how:

• Define your voice – Encourage students to reflect on what matters most to them. What are their values, passions, and perspectives? When students know who they are, they’re more likely to use their platforms with purpose and confidence.
• Draft with intention – Remind students that what they share is a reflection of themselves. Before posting or publishing, they should ask: Does this represent me well? Am I adding value or insight?
• Don’t chase clout – Teach students to prioritize meaningful content over attention-grabbing trends. Likes and views might feel good in the moment, but authentic impact comes from being true to themselves.

Want to learn more about how to help students make high-character choices online? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Building a lasting, positive reputation on social media.

Helping Students Use their Platforms for Good, Protect their Privacy from A.I., and Play to their Core Values Online

Whether they’re recording podcasts that spotlight student perspectives, navigating the evolving features of A.I. tools like ChatGPT, or hopping on TikTok trends that reconnect them with their passions, students are showing what it means to live with intention in the digital age. As educators, we can help students embrace gratitude and positivity on their platforms, navigate ever-evolving technology, and amplify their voice and values. Want to help students sharpen their digital instincts and take control of their online world? Stay ahead of the latest trends impacting students by subscribing to The Huddle — our expert breakdown of social media, tech, and current events shaping students — online and offline.

The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.