Empowering Students to Lead: The Power of Student Voice in Action
At The Social Institute (TSI), we believe that when students lead, their peers listen. That’s why student voice is at the core of everything we do, helping schools create a culture where students aren’t lectured about the don’ts of social media and tech but rather included in the conversation about navigating their worlds – both online and offline – in high-character ways.
One of the most powerful ways we bring student voices into every #WinAtSocial resource is through our Student Ambassador Program, a leadership initiative designed with students, for students. This program equips student leaders to make an impact by contributing directly to #WinAtSocial content, brainstorming lesson ideas, creating mentorship videos, and sharing real student insights that shape discussions around social media and tech in their schools and beyond.
What Is The Social Institute’s Student Ambassador Program?
The Social Institute’s Student Ambassador Program is a unique opportunity for students in grades 5-12 to take on leadership roles in their school communities. These ambassadors help drive important conversations around social media, technology, and student well-being, helping their peers, and even adults, better understand the evolving student experience.
By participating, students:
- Develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through regular meetings and collaborative projects
- Engage in projects that inspire positive change, such as organizing school-wide initiatives, peer-led discussions on social media trends, and mentoring younger students on responsible online behavior
- Contribute directly to #WinAtSocial by brainstorming lesson ideas, providing student insights, and shaping discussion prompts that are used in classrooms nationwide
- Create mentorship videos and participate in webinars, sharing their perspectives with educators and fellow students
- Collaborate with experts and industry leaders, including social media experts, authors, and educators who specialize in student well-being and tech
- Gain hands-on experience that enhances their college and career readiness by developing public speaking, digital literacy, and advocacy skills
Why Student Voice Matters
Students can’t be what they can’t see. When schools prioritize student voice, they empower students to become positive role models – leading by example, advocating for responsible social media use, and creating a culture of confidence, responsibility, and belonging.
We huddled up with two Student Ambassadors, Esther and Oliver, to hear what they had to say about the power of surrounding themselves with positive influencers:
“There are so many influencers out there that are fake and just show you what you want to see. I follow influencers like Vivian Tu and Spencer Barbosa because they are real and use their platforms to create change and help others around them.” – Esther
“After watching influencers like Mr. Beast open doors for people, I have started to do it as well, and it has become a habit for me.” – Oliver
By highlighting positive role models, students can reshape their social media experience, focus on well-being, and inspire others to make high-character choices online. Through the Student Ambassador Program, student leaders take this a step further, actively shaping conversations, influencing their peers, and driving meaningful change in their school communities and beyond.”
How Schools Can Get Involved
Schools partnering with The Social Institute can nominate student leaders to become Student Ambassadors, empowering students to play an active role in shaping their school’s culture.
Benefits for Schools:
✅ Strengthen school culture with student-led initiatives
✅ Encourage responsible social media use through peer influence
✅ Give students a leadership platform that enhances their college and career readiness
✅ Promote positive social media use in an engaging and meaningful way
If your school is ready to champion student voice and leadership, let’s make it happen together. Not a partner yet but interested in The Student Ambassador Program? Reach out to us today!
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.