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Intentional Tech: Supporting Students as They Strike A Balance, Navigate Digital Footprints, and Use A.I. with Purpose

Teens are starting to take control of their own screen time instead of relying on adults to enforce limits

The Gist: Students today aren’t just scrolling, they’re striking a balance. According to new research from GWI, a market research company, more students are taking intentional breaks from their smartphones and social media. Not because an adult told them to, but because they recognize how the constant rings, pings, and dings can affect their focus, confidence, and well-being. It’s a powerful reminder that when students understand the implications of social media and technology, they take the initiative to manage their screen time with purpose. When we provide students with guidance and information, rather than ignoring the challenges, students want to protect their well-being and build lifelong habits that put connection over comparison and purpose over pressure. 

What to Know: The GWI research study found that 40% of 12- to 15-year-olds are intentionally stepping back from screens, an 18% jump since 2022. From muting notifications to deleting apps altogether, students are setting boundaries with tech and gaining confidence and control in the process.

Professor Sonia Livingstone, the director of the Digital Futures for Children Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science, says this aligns with her research, and shares: “Children have got the message – from their parents, the media, their own experiences – that too much social media isn’t always good for them.” The bottom line: students are exploring the connection between their experiences online and their well-being, and striking a balance with their time spent on social media (and in some cases, cutting it out altogether). 

TSI’s Take: The growing number of students setting their own screen time boundaries is not just a response to burnout, but a reflection of self-awareness, maturity, and leadership. When young people take the initiative to mute notifications, take digital detoxes, or step away from platforms altogether, they’re building the kind of tech habits that will serve them now and in the future. Here are some tips to further encourage your students to strike a balance, especially as they head back to school this fall:

• Set tech boundaries that work for you: Designate specific times during the day to unplug, like before bed, during meals, or while studying, to stay focused and present.
• Turn off non-essential notifications: Limit distractions by muting alerts from apps that don’t serve your goals or wellbeing.
• Check in with yourself regularly: Reflect on how your screen time makes you feel. If certain platforms leave you feeling drained or stressed, it might be time for a break.

Want to learn more about how to help students Strike A Balance? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Inspiring peers and adults around us to strike a balance with tech

What students can learn about online reputations from a popular reality TV star

The Gist: Love Island US is the reality show of the summer, where lots of teenage students tuned in every night this season to watch a group of young adults as they search for love in a secluded Fiji villa. The show is incredibly popular on social media, with fans flocking to TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat to discuss drama that unfolded and their favorite couples. One moment that caught fans’ attention and went viral this season was when a contestant and popular influencer was removed from the show in the middle of the season after past insensitive comments resurfaced online. It’s a powerful reminder of why empowering students to play to their core matters, both in what we post and how we carry ourselves online, and how their digital footprint can follow them throughout their lives.

What to Know: The concept of a digital footprint can feel a little foreign to both students and adults. It’s easy to think that once something is deleted, it’s gone forever. However, that’s not always the case. The removal of the Love Island contestant is a lesson in reminding students to make sure what they share online reflects the reputation and values they want to reflect in real life. You never know when an old post could come back to haunt you, or how that may impact your future. 

The contestant has shared that since coming home from Fiji, she’s experienced a lot of cyberbullying and threats to herself and her family over some of the misguided comments she made years ago. While accountability is necessary and important, cancel culture, when taken too far, can be dangerous and just as harmful to a student’s digital footprint. As educators, we can help students understand that Playing to Your Core also means treating people with respect online, even when someone has made a mistake. 

TSI’s Take: While it might seem strange to bring up a reality show with your students, it’s valuable to meet students where they are and turn viral moments like these into teaching opportunities. Just as public figures’ past posts can resurface and create real consequences, like getting removed from a TV show, students’ posts can hurt their ability to get into college or land a job. (Kaplan found that 67% of college admissions officers believe social media is fair game when considering applicants for admission.)

Beyond that, this moment opens the door to deeper conversations about accountability, empathy, and how we treat others online.

At The Social Institute, we emphasize the importance of Playing to Your Core: Staying true to your values both on and offline. That means thinking before you post, but also leading with empathy when those around you make mistakes. Students have the power to model both responsibility and respect. Here are some tips to guide students:

• Pause Before You Post: Ask yourself, “Would I be proud of this five years from now?” If not, reconsider before hitting share.
• Your Digital Past Can Shape Your Future: College admissions teams, future employers, and even new friends might see what you’ve posted online. Keep in mind that your digital choices today can impact opportunities down the road.
• Respond with Respect: When someone makes a mistake, hold them accountable – but don’t pile on. Use your voice to stand up for what’s right without tearing others down.

Want to learn more about how to help students Play to Their Core? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Building a lasting, positive reputation on social media.

A.I. continues to make its way into learning through Google Classroom

The Gist: Google is making a major move in schools, as it recently announced over 30 new A.I.-powered tools designed to support teachers and students, including a classroom-ready version of its Gemini AI chatbot, interactive study guides, video creation tools, and real-time student insights. Many of these tools are already rolling out for free across Google Workspace for Education accounts. Students have already been turning to A.I. for years to study, brainstorm, and write. With these new tools entering the classroom, they’ll need support in learning how to use A.I. thoughtfully, responsibly, and with purpose. And educators may need support in using these tools to help them teach, rather than hinder.

What to know: As A.I. continues to shift into the classroom, both students and educators need more than access. They need A.I. Literacy. For students, that means learning how to use A.I. with purpose to deepen their understanding of topics or subjects, not take shortcuts. They need to understand when A.I. is helpful, how to evaluate its accuracy and biases, and how their choices with A.I. reflect their values.

For educators, A.I. Literacy means confidently guiding students through this new landscape and knowing how to model responsible use by integrating A.I. into lessons thoughtfully and staying ahead of the ever-evolving changes. It also means being equipped to address questions around academic integrity, data privacy, and the evolving definition of what it means to “do the work.”

TSI’s Take: A.I. isn’t just another tool. For students to thrive in today’s tech-driven world, they’ll need to understand it, use it responsibly, and lead with character every step of the way. The question isn’t should students use A.I. because they already are. The real opportunity is helping them use it in ways that reflect who they are and who they’re becoming.

Tips for Students:

• Own your work: A.I. can help you dive deeper, but it shouldn’t replace your thinking. Use it to explore ideas, not to do the work for you.
• Be a critical thinker: A.I. can be wrong. Double-check facts, question results, and be your own best editor.
• Follow the policies: Follow the school policy. If you aren’t sure when you’re allowed to use A.I. or not, it’s always best to ask for clarification.  

Interested in learning how innovative educators are bringing A.I. Literacy to life this school year? Sign up for The Social Institute’s A.I.-Ready Graduate Webinar Series to learn how to implement A.I. policies that work, incorporate A.I. Literacy for students and teachers throughout the school day, and what students really think about A.I.

As educators, we can support students by encouraging self-awareness, responsible choices, and meaningful conversations. When students lead with intention, they’re not just keeping up with the digital world – they’re shaping it for the better. 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 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.