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Late-Night Screens, A.I. Tools, and the Rise of ‘Nonchalant’: Keeping up with students in the age of always-on

Today’s students are navigating a world that never powers down. From scrolling before bed to experimenting with A.I. tools in the classroom and embracing TikTok trends like the “nonchalant” mindset, they’re constantly connected—often in ways that shape their well-being, learning, and identity. As technology, social media, and student culture evolve, so does the need for educators to understand the latest shifts and guide students in navigating them with confidence and character.

Let’s break it all down.

Screentime During Bedtime: Nighttime scrolling may increase the risk of developing insomnia

The Gist: Social media and tech can fuel connection, but they also come with challenges. While it might be easy to assume that lack of sleep and the onset of insomnia are solely linked to scrolling on social media, scientists in Norway found that screen time in bed—whether reading news articles or an online book—increases the risk of developing insomnia by 59%. 

What to Know: A recent sleep study by YouGov revealed that 87% of people in the UK look at their phone or tablet within an hour before bed. However, new research from scientists in Norway shows that for those who struggle with sleep, scrolling through or checking a device may not be the best choice for reinforcing healthy sleep habits and achieving better sleep quality. Instead, they discovered that in-bed screen time increases the risk of developing insomnia by 59%.

The Norwegian study surveyed about 45,000 students and found that using screens at night negatively affects sleep, leading to an average loss of 24 minutes of sleep each night. While social media often takes the blame for screen-related sleep issues, research shows that screen use—whether scrolling social media, texting, or reading an e-book—can disrupt sleep. By exploring expert advice on managing screen time and prioritizing bedtime over scrolling, educators can guide students to strike a balance and develop healthy sleeping habits.

TSI’s Take: As technology becomes woven into everyday life, it’s easy for students to overlook how small habits—like late-night scrolling—can take a toll on their sleep, focus, and academic performance. Educators play an essential role in helping students reflect on their screen time and its effects on their sleeping habits. By huddling with students about the importance of sleep, educators can empower them to make intentional choices that support both their health and success in the classroom.

Here are some expert tips for striking a balance and avoiding sleep loss:

• Utilizing digital features: Educators can encourage students to use smartphone options like ‘Night Shift’ or ‘Do Not Disturb’ to silence distracting notifications, which can help students establish a regular time to put devices away and help them transition into screen-free bedtimes. 
• Encouraging device-free sleep: Challenge students to try sleeping with their devices in another room so they won’t check them in the middle of the night. If they use their phones as alarms, suggest that they place their phones on the other side of the room at nighttime. 
• Creating meaningful wind-down rituals: While scrolling through social media at night may seem like an effective way to unwind before bed, it often leads to seeing stressful images or a lack of sleep. Instead, encourage students to establish their own screen-free wind-down rituals to relax before bed without the distractions of screens. 

Want to learn more about how to help students handle the pressure of scrolling before bed? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson by The Social Institute: Examining the impact of stress on sleep.

Chegg and OpenAI: Giving students access to new and improved A.I.-powered tools

The Gist: Chegg, the American EdTech company known for homework help and digital tutoring, just launched Solution Scout — an A.I.-powered tool designed to help students spend less time searching for answers and more time truly understanding the material. Meanwhile, OpenAI is giving millions of college students free access to ChatGPT Plus, unlocking advanced research tools just in time for exams.

These moves reflect a growing trend: A.I. is rapidly becoming a core part of how students learn. As these tools become more accessible and powerful, it’s essential for educators to help students use them in ways that support critical thinking, accuracy, and high-character learning.

What to Know: Earlier this week, Chegg launched Solution Scout, a new A.I.-powered tool that helps students compare solutions from multiple sources, saving time on fact-checking and allowing for deeper focus on learning. While Chegg was once known primarily for quick homework answers, the platform is evolving, now offering A.I.-generated summaries of articles and books to help students grasp and apply concepts more effectively.

At the same time, OpenAI is also stepping up to help students by offering free access to ChatGPT Plus just in time for exams. This strategic move came only a day after their competitor, Anthropic, launched Claude for Education — an A.I. tool that guides students through problems with its Learning Mode, emphasizing critical thinking over generating direct answers. But OpenAI is now providing college students unrestricted access to its most advanced research tools, empowering them to work more efficiently and confidently during one of the most challenging times of the semester. Together, these updates show how A.I. is quickly becoming a go-to learning partner for students, making it all the more important for educators to guide students in using these tools with intention, integrity, and curiosity.

TSI’s Take: With tools like Solution Scout and ChatGPT Plus now widely available, students are leaning into A.I. as a shortcut, study buddy, and problem-solver. But while A.I. can help summarize content and compare solutions, it can’t replace critical thinking or deep engagement with the material.

That’s where educators come in. By huddling with students about A.I., educators can help them navigate these tools with integrity, think critically about what they read, and make smart decisions about when and how to use A.I. responsibly.

Here are some tips educators can share to help students navigate A.I. like a pro:

• Encourage students to understand the role A.I. plays in their lives: As A.I. becomes increasingly integrated into students’ daily routines, educators can effectively equip students with the skills to navigate A.I. responsibly. Check out our complimentary ChatGPT Platform Playbook to see how students are navigating this popular A.I. tool.
• Huddle on the importance of fact-checking: Educators can guide students to understand why fact-checking is crucial and fosters positive online behavior, leading them to discover influencers they trust. Check out our blog on navigating misinformation from A.I.
• Demonstrate correct ways to use A.I.: Setting a good example for students to use A.I. will allow them to understand when and why to use A.I. This will limit how students navigate A.I. and accidentally collect false information, such as the strange answers Google A.I. Overview has given. Educators, check out our A.I. School Playbook to empower students to navigate A.I. positively!

Want to learn more about teaching students to explore the impact of A.I.? Check out this trending #WinAtSocial Lesson by The Social Institute: Breaking down ChatGPT and the role of artificial intelligence in our lives.

TikTok’s “Nonchalant Trend”

The Gist: The “Nonchalant Trend” on TikTok is gaining traction among Gen Z, especially students. It centers on looking effortlessly cool, calm, and unbothered—whether that’s walking into class with confidence, brushing off drama, or going about daily life with a laid-back vibe. Even subtle things like how students sit, speak, or move are part of the performance.

While this trend can promote confidence and help students handle the pressure during stressful situations, it can also blur the line between their authentic selves and a popular trend, with some students using it to avoid conflict or to appear effortlessly cool and unbothered. 

What to Know: The “Nonchalant Trend” on TikTok features students and influencers sharing videos and advice on how to act confident, casual, and seemingly indifferent — as if they’re completely unbothered by everything around them. There are even “nonchalant” ways to sit, eat, talk, and stand, all emphasizing a vibe where someone’s outward appearance doesn’t necessarily match how they feel on the inside. At its core, this trend is about looking effortlessly cool.

While it can be a unique form of self-expression and confidence, it can also create pressure on students. They may feel the need to appear perfect and cool, even when they’re dealing with stress or uncertainty. Despite promoting the idea of not caring what others think, the trend can still lead to FOMO, and students feel like they need to participate just to keep up. What seems like a calm and collected demeanor can reflect deeper student experiences. For some, it’s a way to protect their well-being or avoid drama in a hyper-connected world. For others, it may act as a mask for anxiety or a response to the pressure to appear unbothered all the time.

TSI’s Take: Instead of labeling the trend as good or bad, educators and families can use it as an inside look into how students are really feeling. What appears as “chill” and “calm” on the outside might be a signal to check in with students, ask questions, and open the door to authentic conversations. Through #WinAtSocial, students explore how to balance self-expression with emotional honesty and how to support friends who might be hiding what they’re really going through behind a nonchalant exterior. 

Here are some tips on how educators can empower students to play to their core online:

• Stay aware of online trends and what they mean: In the classroom, huddle with students to discuss the trends they see online and what can result from them. Educators can flip the script and encourage students to participate in trends in positive ways instead, like bonding with friends over inside jokes.
• Align values with social media presence: Encourage students to think about their core values and determine whether or not their social media accounts and how they use them reflect those values. As an in-class activity, you can share The Social Institute’s Student Challenge to huddle with students about their values and how they’re demonstrating them online!
• Inspire friends, family, and followers: Emphasize to students that when they play to their core online, others might be inspired to do the same. Students can’t be what they can’t see, so educators play a role in inspiring students to play to their core so they can share their values with others.

Interested in more ways to empower students to express themselves positively? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson by The Social Institute: Reflecting our values in the content we share or consume.

Supporting Student Well-Being While Navigating Technology and Social Media Trends 

As educators, we play an important role in helping students make sense of the ever-evolving world around them. Whether navigating new A.I. tools in the classroom, managing screen time before bed, or recognizing the pressures behind popular trends, students thrive when equipped to make positive, high-character choices.

By equipping them with critical thinking skills and self-confidence, we empower them to use technology in ways that reflect their true selves, not just who they are expected to be. Want to stay ahead of the trends shaping student experiences? Subscribe to The Huddle—our expert breakdown of social media, tech, and current events that shape students—both online and offline.

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.