How the “Flip the Camera” & “Boredom” challenges and the diVine app can teach students empathy and focus
Key points summarized for busy educators
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TikTok’s “Flip the Camera” challenge crosses the line into cyberbullying
The Gist: A new TikTok trend known as the “flip the camera” challenge is raising concerns about unkindness disguised as humor. In the trend, someone asks a stranger to record them (and usually a few friends) dancing, only to flip the camera mid-recording and capture the stranger’s unprepared reaction. While some claim it is all in good fun, in the end, the person behind the camera becomes the joke. Many creators and viewers are calling the trend mean-spirited and encouraging young TikTokers not to participate.
What to Know: As the trend spreads, more users are pushing back and speaking out. Viewers have pointed out that the so-called joke often targets introverted teens, quiet classmates, or strangers who were simply trying to be helpful. For many, the trend feels like a form of public humiliation disguised as entertainment. Experts note that social platforms tend to reward content that provokes a strong, often negative reaction, which can normalize hurtful behavior.
Creators across TikTok have shared emotional videos urging their followers not to participate and reminding them that filming others without consent can cause real harm. Many users are also recognizing how quickly trends like this can blur the line between harmless fun and cyberbullying. At the same time, the widespread criticism has highlighted something encouraging. A growing number of students are stepping in to speak up, challenge negative behavior, and model empathy online.
TSI’s Take: Helping students recognize when a trend becomes harmful is an important part of building empathy and digital awareness. When students pause to think about how their actions affect others, they are more likely to choose kindness and stand up for those who need support. If your students want to participate in online challenges, here are a few reminders you can share with them to help them lead with character:
- Lead with empathy: Encourage students to consider how anyone involved in the trend feels. Or ask themselves, Would I want to participate in this trend in the same way?
- Respect boundaries and privacy: Remind students to involve others in videos only when they have clear permission and are fully informed.
- Use your mic for good: Show students how to use their voice to challenge trends that hurt or embarrass others.
Equip your students to identify hurtful digital behavior, advocate for others, and create online spaces rooted in empathy and respect with the #WinAtSocial Lesson, Helping vs. Watching: The power of standing up for others.
How a new ‘Boredom Challenge’ is helping students reclaim their attention as digital distractions grow
The Gist: A rising TikTok trend encourages students to sit completely still and do nothing while filming themselves. These videos often show participants sitting quietly with a timer on their screen, attempting to stay focused and be bored without distractions for as long as they can. Many teens are trying this challenge as a way to rebuild their attention spans and break away from constant digital stimulation.
What to Know: Students who participate in the challenge often admit it is harder than it looks. Many describe feeling uneasy without background music, entertainment, or a device in hand. The trend highlights how much technology is integrated into students’ daily habits and how unusual it can feel to sit in silence. It also reflects a growing awareness among students that their digital environment influences their well-being and ability to stay present.
Experts note that boredom can be a beneficial experience. Moments without stimulation allow the brain to reset, imagine, and form new ideas. Quiet time supports creativity, emotional regulation, and deeper thinking. For many students, intentionally stepping away from screens can help rebuild focus and strengthen their mental clarity.
TSI’s Take: This trend shows that students are becoming more intentional about their digital habits and are searching for strategies that help them feel more grounded. With #WinAtSocial, educators help students strike a balance between technology and quiet moments, helping students rebuild their attention and encourage inspiration and creativity. As students explore how to disconnect with intention, we can support this effort by giving them simple tools they can use every day. If your students are trying to strengthen their focus, here are a few helpful practices to share with them:
- Pause with purpose: Encourage students to build small tech-free breaks into their routine to reset and recharge.
- Reflect on habits: Help them notice which digital routines support their well-being and which ones make it harder to focus.
- Welcome boredom: Remind students that quiet moments can spark creativity, clarity, and imaginative thinking.
Unplugging in the digital age can be a real challenge for students. Equip them to strengthen their mental presence and make thoughtful choices about how they spend their time online with the #WinAtSocial Lesson, Being mindful and present in an age of distraction.
A Return to Creativity: Vine’s Revival Through the New App diVine
The Gist: A new app called diVine is bringing back Vine’s iconic looping-video format by offering thousands of restored clips and giving users a chance to create new ones. With a focus on authentic content from real people, the platform says its goal is to offer a simple and creative experience at a time when many feeds are overwhelmed with automated, A.I.-generated content.
What to Know: Developers behind diVine restored a large archive of classic Vine videos and rebuilt many original user profiles, giving people a chance to revisit a memorable era of online creativity while introducing a new generation to the format for the first time. The app is also designed to identify and block automated or A.I.-generated content, encouraging users to focus on real moments and genuine expression.
For older users, diVine sparks nostalgia and revives the playful, community-centered spirit that defined early short-form video culture. For today’s students, it might be a new platform that gives them space to use their creativity for quick storytelling. The renewed interest in Vine-style content reflects a growing desire for online experiences that feel more human and less artificial.
TSI’s Take: As short creative videos return through platforms like diVine, guiding students to let their values shape what they share helps them to play to their core as they engage with new platforms. Six seconds for a post might seem short, but it’s long enough to make an impact on those who create it and those who watch it. As educators, we can challenge students to create and express themselves with intention, no matter which platform they choose to join.
If your students are excited to explore this renewed era of short-form content, here are helpful reminders to share:
- Create with character: Encourage students to make content that reflects their values, interests, and the identity they want to build online.
- Think with the future in mind: Remind them that even quick videos become part of their digital footprint and can shape their reputation over time.
- Use creative limits as inspiration: Highlight how the six-second format invites fresh ideas, clever storytelling, and the return of genuine inspiration.
Preview the #WinAtSocial Lesson, Building a lasting, positive reputation on social media, to explore how you can equip students to align their online choices with their values, explore their creativity with confidence, and build a digital presence that reflects their strengths and identity.
From recognizing harmful trends like “Flip the Camera” to choosing mindfulness with the “Boredom Challenge,” viral moments continue to shape students’ experiences. They are leading with empathy, protecting their mental clarity, and using creative platforms like diVine to express their authentic character. By giving students the confidence and tools to make intentional choices, we empower them to live up to high standards both online and offline. Ready to help your students #WinAtSocial? Request a demo of our positive and proactive approach to modern life skills.
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in equipping students, families, and educators with modern life skills to impact learning, well-being, and students’ futures. Through #WinAtSocial, our interactive, peer-to-peer learning platform, we integrate teacher PD, family resources, student voice insights, and more to empower entire school communities to make positive choices online and offline. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach essential skills while capturing student voice and actionable insights for educators. These insights help educators maintain a healthy school culture, foster high-impact teaching, and build meaningful relationships with families. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips students authentically, enabling our solution to increase classroom participation and improve student-teacher relationships. Through our one-of-a-kind lesson development process, we create lessons for a variety of core and elective classes, incorporating timely topics such as social media, A.I., screen time, misinformation, and current events to help schools stay proactive in supporting student health, happiness, and academic success.