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From TikTok Ethics to Healthy Tech Habits: Empowering Students in the Age of A.I. & Social Media

Miami-Dade County Public Schools pioneers A.I. education for 100,000 students

The Gist: Miami-Dade County Public Schools is making big moves to prepare over 100,000 students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence. Instead of fearing A.I. or banning it, Miami’s educators are embracing the technology by teaching students how to use A.I. tools responsibly, ethically, and creatively, all while emphasizing critical thinking. 

What to Know: The Miami district’s strategy includes training teachers on A.I. integration, creating courses about A.I.’s benefits and risks, and focusing on digital ethics and safety. This comes at a time when many schools are still figuring out how to respond to A.I.’s challenges. For example, Amherst Central High School recently had to investigate a student who misused A.I. to create inappropriate images involving classmates. Meanwhile, at the college level, students who honestly do their work are sometimes wrongly accused of cheating because A.I.-detection software isn’t perfect. These issues highlight how A.I. policies should balance accountability with fairness and support. 

TSI’s Take: The goal isn’t just to prevent A.I. misuse but to empower students to use A.I. as a tool for learning and creativity. By openly discussing A.I.’s risks and benefits and involving students, families, and teachers, Miami is creating a blueprint for other schools navigating this fast-changing landscape.

Here are some expert tips to start bringing A.I. into your classrooms:

• Teach with, not around, A.I. Instead of avoiding A.I., invite it into the classroom as a learning tool. Show students how to use A.I. responsibly to spark creativity, support research, and build real-world skills, while discussing where it can fall short or be misused.
  
• Make character development part of the lesson. Help students think critically about A.I. by exploring questions like: Who created this tool? What data does it use? How can I use it in a way that’s fair and safe? This encourages thoughtful decision-making.
  
• Train the whole team, not just students. Give educators the confidence to lead the way by offering training on A.I. tools and trends. When teachers, families, and students are all in the loop, schools can create a culture of curiosity, not fear, around emerging tech.

Learn more about helping students navigate A.I. responsibly by checking out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Examining the ethics around A.I. and plagiarism – what it means for our schoolwork.

Banning students from social media might sound smart, but it’s not that simple

The Gist: As conversations grow around the impact of social media on student mental health, some governments, like Australia, are proposing a bold move: banning students under 16 from using apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.

The goal? To protect students from online risks like cyberbullying, unrealistic body standards, and harmful content. On the surface, it might sound like a smart solution.

But here’s the catch: according to a global review of 70+ studies, experts agree that banning students won’t solve the deeper issues. Instead, they say we need safer platforms, smarter regulations, and most importantly, student voices in the conversation.

What to Know: Social media isn’t just where students doomscroll for hours on end; it’s where they connect, express themselves, and even seek support during tough times. For some, taking it away completely could actually make things harder, not better.

Plus, banning social media doesn’t stop harmful content from spreading, especially with A.I. moderation still catching up. Many platforms also collect student data to serve targeted ads, sometimes promoting products that aren’t so great for well-being. That’s why experts are calling for more transparency, better safeguards, and smarter use of student data.

TSI’s Take: The idea of banning social media for students might make headlines, but it can oversimplify a much more complex issue. Online safety isn’t just about age, it’s about building better systems, involving students in policy decisions, and teaching them how to use tech responsibly.

Here are a few ways to spark discussion with students:

• Ask: What are the pros and cons of banning students from social media?
• Explore: How could platforms make their apps safer or more supportive for younger users?
• Guide: What would students change about their favorite apps if they were in charge?

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

The Chromebook Challenge: Students Are Sparking Laptops for Social Media Clout

The Gist: A new social media trend is putting school tech and safety at risk. Dubbed the “Chromebook Challenge,” this viral trend involves students deliberately short-circuiting their school-issued laptops using everyday objects like push pins, paper clips, or even gum wrappers. The goal? Capture the sparks, smoke, or fire on video and post it to TikTok or Instagram. These clips often feature music, dramatic reveals, and emoji-filled reactions.

What to Know: The trend has gained traction in schools across the country, with reports of damaged devices, scorched desks, and even school evacuations. In some cases, students have been suspended, fined, or even faced criminal charges for causing property damage or setting off fire alarms.

District leaders and superintendents in states like Connecticut, California, Arizona, and Colorado have spoken out, warning families about the behavior. In one instance, a Colorado district discovered six separate Chromebook-related incidents in one week; initially believed to be malfunctions, but later revealed to be deliberate acts inspired by TikTok.

Tech and fire safety experts say that tampering with batteries or charging ports can cause real harm, including fire hazards. And while platforms like TikTok have issued safety notices and removed some content, similar videos often reappear under different hashtags.

TSI’s Take: Trends like this can spread quickly, especially when students feel peer pressure to gain likes, go viral, or just try something “for fun.” These moments are a good chance to remind students to play to their core when considering jumping into the next viral trend. While some viral challenges can be fun and even support good causes, like the Ice Bucket Challenge, we can remind students that not every trend is worth following. 

Here are a few ways to remind students to play to their core online and offline: 

• Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong about a trend, skip it.
• Think long game, not just likes. Before you post or join in, ask yourself: “Will I be proud of this tomorrow?” Your future self will thank you.
• Use your influence for good. Your choices online can inspire others to do the right thing, too — even when it’s not the most popular move.

Want to go deeper? Explore this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Recognizing how much we’re influenced by online influencers.

The Bottom Line

From Miami’s forward-thinking A.I. strategy to global conversations about social media bans and viral challenges like the Chromebook trend, one thing is clear: today’s online landscape requires more than just rules and restrictions — it calls for leadership, collaboration, and character development.

As educators, we have a powerful opportunity to shift the conversation from fear to empowerment. By teaching students to think critically, act responsibly, and lead with integrity online and offline, we can help them navigate emerging tech with confidence. When schools prioritize open dialogue, digital ethics, and student voice, we don’t just react to the latest trend — we prepare students to shape the future.

Let’s keep equipping our communities to #WinAtSocial — one thoughtful conversation, one teachable moment, and one meaningful connection at a time. Sign up for The Huddle to get trends and insights like these sent straight to your inbox!

The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in equipping students to navigate learning & well-being in a tech-fueled world. Through #WinAtSocial, our interactive, peer-to-peer learning platform, we empower students, educators, and families to make high-character 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 while incorporating timely topics like social media, A.I., screen time, misinformation, and current events to help schools stay proactive in how they support student health, happiness, and academic success.