Screen Time, Squishies & Student Voice: How schools are navigating tech and viral trends

What “digital minimalism” can teach schools about student tech habits

The Gist: A recent CBC article revealed students are experimenting with “digital minimalism,” where they’re setting app timers, switching to flip phones, using paper maps, or taking notes by hand to feel less distracted and more present. But as a recent school experiment showed, unplugging isn’t always easy. Students who gave up apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat for a week called it “boring,” even while noticing better sleep, focus, and more family connection. Together, these stories highlight a growing conversation among students about how to create healthier relationships with technology, without completely disconnecting from it.

What to Know: During a week-long experiment at King’s Oak Academy, 14- and 15-year-old students took a seven-day break from social media. Many shared that they typically spend up to seven hours a day scrolling on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. During the break, teachers noticed the students appeared “happier” and “more relaxed,” while students themselves reported more time for homework, sleep, and conversations with family members. Even so, many pushed back on the idea of banning social media altogether, sharing that these platforms help them stay informed, socialize, and connect with peers when used in moderation.

At the same time, CBC News reports that more young people are embracing “digital minimalism” instead of giving up technology completely. Some students described switching to flip phones, deleting apps, or setting screen time boundaries to strike a balance with tech and feel more in control of their attention. These stories reflect a broader shift where students are recognizing that completely restricting technology is not always the answer. Instead, many are exploring how to strike a balance with tech and use it in more intentional, healthy ways.

TSI’s Take: The rise of “digital minimalism” reflects what The Social Institute’s standard, Strike a Balance, is all about: navigating tech in intentional ways that support students’ focus, well-being, and relationships. Rather than giving up social media completely, many students are experimenting with small changes to their existing tech habits to feel more present and in control of their attention.

These stories also highlight an important shift: students are not just responding to adult concerns about technology use. They are beginning to reflect on their own habits and recognize when technology is helping them versus distracting them.

Schools and families can support students by encouraging them to:

• Reflect on when technology is helping them versus distracting them
• Set intentional boundaries around screen time, notifications, or app use
• Prioritize sleep, schoolwork, and in-person relationships alongside online connection
• Explore small changes, like screen-free time or limiting scrolling before bed
• Recognize that balance looks different for everyone and can change over time

Want to help students build these skills? Explore the #WinAtSocial Lessons, Tech Balance with Those Around Us and Screen Time Choices, to help students reflect on how technology impacts their daily lives and how to create healthy, intentional habits around screen time.

What happens when students lead tech conversations in schools

The Gist: At a school in Fairfax County, students are stepping into leadership roles through a program called “Tech Squad,” where they help classmates and teachers better understand tech tools used in school. According to WTOP News, the program has been running for more than a decade and gives students opportunities to teach others how to use technology in practical and helpful ways. The initiative highlights how empowering students to coach up and use their mic for good can play an active role in strengthening school culture and students’ leadership skills. 

What to Know: The Tech Squad program was designed to help students become confident using tech tools in positive ways, while empowering them to coach up and share those skills with others. Students involved in the program assist peers, troubleshoot classroom technology, and sometimes even support teachers with new software or online platforms. The program highlights a prime example of how students can be more than just passive users of technology, but active contributors who help build stronger learning environments.

Programs like this also create opportunities for collaboration, leadership, and communication skills to grow alongside technology skills. When students are trusted to guide others, it can strengthen classroom culture, encourage peer learning, and help students feel more ownership over how technology is used in school settings.

TSI’s Take: This story highlights what can happen when schools amplify student voices and empower them to Use Their Mic for Good. Students often understand emerging technology, apps, and online trends in ways adults may not fully see yet. Giving students opportunities to “coach up” peers and educators not only builds leadership skills but also helps create more collaborative and connected school communities.

This same idea is central to The Social Institute’s Student Ambassador Program, where students help shape conversations, lessons, and strategies around social media, technology, and modern life skills. When students are put at the heart of the conversation instead of being talked at, they are more likely to take ownership of creating positive, responsible tech cultures within their schools.

Schools can support this by:

• Empowering students to “coach up” peers and educators on technology and digital tools
• Elevating student voice in conversations about technology use and school culture
• Helping students model positive, respectful, and intentional tech habits for others

Want to help students build these skills? Explore the #WinAtSocial Lesson Good Tech Choices to help students reflect on how their everyday tech decisions can positively impact themselves and their school community.

Fake mustaches and squishy toys: What students need to know before following the next viral trend

The Gist: New reports highlight how quickly students can encounter risky online behaviors. In one article from TechCrunch, children admitted to finding easy ways to bypass website age checks to access content meant for older users, like using fake mustaches. At the same time, doctors are warning families about a separate viral trend involving microwaving “squishy” toys after reports of children suffering serious burns. Together, these stories show how online trends and platform features can influence student behavior in ways that are not always safe or age-appropriate.

At the same time, doctors are warning about a viral TikTok trend involving microwaving gel-filled “squishy” toys, after reports of children suffering serious burns from attempting the challenge. These stories highlight how online trends and platform features can influence behavior in ways that may not always be safe or appropriate.

What to Know: According to a survey by TechCrunch and research from Internet Matters, a U.K.-based nonprofit, about half of 1,000 children said age checks online were easy to bypass. This suggests that technology alone may not fully prevent exposure to inappropriate or harmful content, especially as students become more familiar with online platforms at younger ages. 

But access to online content is only part of the challenge. Viral trends can also shape the choices students make online and offline. Doctors at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital are warning families about a TikTok trend involving microwaving gel-filled “squishy” toys after reports of children suffering serious burns. The trend highlights how quickly online content can move from entertainment to potential harm when students attempt to recreate what they see without fully understanding the risks. As online trends spread faster than ever, students benefit from guidance that helps them think critically, make safe choices, and pause before participating in viral challenges.

TSI’s Take: These stories highlight why students benefit from learning how to Play to Their Core early as they begin navigating technology, social media, and online trends. Whether students are encountering age-restricted content or viral challenges, they need support learning how to pause, think critically, and make safe, intentional choices online.

Schools and families can support students by:

• Helping students recognize that not everything online is safe or meant for them
• Encouraging students to question viral trends before participating
• Reinforcing that safety and well-being matter more than online popularity

Want to help students build these skills early? Explore The Social Institute’s K–2 Offline Lessons that help students practice making safe, thoughtful choices before navigating online content and trends.

These stories highlight an important shift happening in schools today: students are not just passive consumers of technology. They are actively shaping how it impacts their focus, relationships, leadership, and decision-making. From setting healthier boundaries with screens to navigating viral online trends, students benefit most when schools and families create space for proactive, student-centered conversations that help them build confidence, critical thinking, and healthy habits online and offline.

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.