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March 3, 2025

How Yuma Catholic High School is Addressing High Digital Anxiety with #WinAtSocial

Social media and technology play a huge role in students’ lives. They use these tools to connect, explore new interests, and build relationships. But with that comes real challenges—like digital distractions in class, FOMO (fear of missing out), and social comparisons—that can impact their well-being and ability to focus on learning. 

One study found that 70% of students report anxiety and depression as major concerns for themselves and their peers. These challenges affect concentration, motivation, and academic success. That’s why Yuma Catholic High School is taking a positive and proactive approach to social media and tech, equipping students with the skills they need to navigate today’s world in high-character ways. 

By partnering with The Social Institute, they’re strengthening student-teacher relationships, empowering student voices, and helping students use social media and technology to fuel their success in a way that aligns with their Catholic teachings.

Preparing Students for the Future—Inside and Outside the Classroom

With screen time increasing in and out of school, Yuma Catholic understands how social media and tech impact student well-being. They turned to #WinAtSocial, The Social Institute’s turnkey, peer-to-peer learning platform that makes it easy for teachers to facilitate engaging discussions about tech habits, social comparisons, and online interactions—all while supporting students’ academic and personal growth.

“One of my counselors brought The Social Institute to me. We looked at it, did some meetings, reviewed the content, and felt like it was a great, ready-to-go program to implement,” shared Sherryl Gerber, principal of Yuma Catholic High School. “It was another resource for teachers, and they really appreciated it.”

Yuma Catholic has always prioritized preparing students for college—70% of their students graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. However, educators noticed that students were feeling more anxious and overwhelmed.

“I don’t know if it was the pandemic or just the nature of students today, but we’re seeing a lot more anxiety,” Gerber explained. “We know students are witnessing or experiencing cyberbullying. Instagram and Snapchat aren’t just distracting them from their schoolwork—they’re also causing stress.”

Aligning #WinAtSocial with Yuma Catholic’s Mission

Yuma Catholic’s mission is to bring students to Christ, prepare them for college, and develop them through service to the community. #WinAtSocial aligns seamlessly with these values, offering lessons that can flex to fit school schedules and be tailored to unique school cultures. Teachers facilitate quick, 10 to 15-minute discussions, allowing students to explore real-life social media challenges while staying on track academically.

“We were really happy to implement [#WinAtSocial] because we knew it was a program we could continue to build on to meet our goals,” Gerber said. “I like to use my title money wisely, and sometimes it’s hard to find the right fit. This program answered that need.”

At Yuma Catholic, #WinAtSocial Lessons are integrated into the Freshman Seminar, a year-long class that helps students develop positive, high-character habits. They also weave the lessons into their theology courses, connecting character development with faith-based principles.

“One of the key components of theology is respect for individuals and for life. #WinAtSocial reinforces that biblical foundation—helping students understand how we’re called to treat others with kindness and integrity.”

Yuma Catholic recognizes that social media is a huge part of students’ lives, just as much as in-person hangouts. By using theology as a foundation for respectful interactions, online and offline, they’re reinforcing values that extend beyond the classroom and into students’ everyday online experiences.

“I strongly recommend #WinAtSocial to any school that wants to empower students to use social media responsibly and meaningfully. It’s an engaging, interactive program that helps students develop empathy, kindness, and emotional intelligence.”

Strengthening Classroom Connections Through #WinAtSocial Huddles

#WinAtSocial is also strengthening student-teacher relationships. The program’s huddles create space for open conversations about social media, well-being, and real-world challenges, helping students feel heard and understood.

“#WinAtSocial has sparked great classroom discussions about the ethics of screenshots and the mutual feelings of anxiety that students experience,” said one educator. “It’s been beneficial for students to realize how much they have in common. They also see that their teachers understand the challenges today’s youth face and care enough to create space for these conversations.”

These huddles ensure that educators stay informed about the pressures students navigate daily. Yuma students engage in thoughtful discussions, develop critical thinking skills, and feel valued in the classroom.

“The students really appreciate that the lessons ask them how they’re doing or feeling. It makes them feel noticed and shows them that their mental health matters.”

Beyond fostering connections, #WinAtSocial keeps students engaged while developing real-world skills. One recent lesson, Exploring the Impact of Stricter Cell Phone Bans in Schools, sparked insightful discussions about school policies.

“After their teacher explained why our school needed cell phone rules, students understood their importance and how they connect to the lesson,” said a Yuma Catholic educator.

With #WinAtSocial, Yuma Catholic High School isn’t just addressing the challenges of social media—they’re using it as an opportunity to strengthen character, deepen faith, and prepare students for success, online and offline.

Supporting Your School

By implementing #WinAtSocial, Yuma Catholic High School is fueling student well-being and success by proactively addressing social media and technology without adding to teachers’ plates, all in ways that align with the school’s Catholic-driven mission. Interested in turnkey #WinAtSocial Lessons that fit right into your curriculum and amplify student voices? Request a demo for some of our popular lessons:

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.