Trending this week: Some schools are teaching teens how to maximize their sleep, schools are facing A.I. education disparities, and the ice bucket challenge is back as students advocate for mental health awareness.
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Some schools are teaching teens how to get restful sleep – and it’s paying off
The Gist: Teenagers are biologically wired to stay up later, thanks to natural shifts in their circadian rhythms. But studies show today’s teens are more sleep-deprived than ever, a challenge experts link to rising mental health concerns, behavioral issues, and chronic absenteeism in schools. At Mansfield Senior High School in Ohio, students are learning a new essential skill: getting better sleep.
What to Know: Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Education, says, “Walk into any high school in America, and you will see kids asleep. Whether on a desk, outside on the ground, on a bench, or on a couch, the school has allotted for naps — because they are exhausted.” So, Mansfield Senior High School has implemented a “Sleep to Be a Better You” curriculum into their state-mandated health class.
During the six-part course, students keep daily logs for six weeks and rate their mood and energy levels. Freshman Nathan Baker said he thought he knew how to sleep but realized he had it all wrong: bedtime meant settling into bed to scroll on his phone, often staying up until midnight. He shared that he gets only five hours of sleep on a good night, usually having to take naps during the day, which messes up his sleep schedule. After implementing some of the techniques from the new sleep class, such as avoiding late-night snacks, putting his phone away an hour before going to sleep, and trying to have a regular sleep and wake time, he’s noticed a huge improvement. “I feel a lot better. I’m coming to school with a smile on my face… life is so much simpler.”
TSI’s Take: Sleep is a modern life skill. From late-night scrolling to group chats, students are staying connected online when they should be winding down. Schools like Mansfield are leading the way by teaching students how to build healthier habits that fuel their online and offline well-being. Here are some tips to guide students:
- Lead by example – Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, limiting exposure to bright light before bed, keeping our rooms cool, dark, and quiet, and exercising during the day are great ways to maximize sleep.
- Set boundaries with tech – Encourage “tech-free” time before bed and use features like Do Not Disturb to minimize nighttime interruptions.
- Make it part of the conversation – Create opportunities for students to share what helps them wind down and rest, fostering a culture where sleep is seen as a strength, not a sacrifice.
Want to learn more about how to help students strike a balance between tech and real life? Check out this NEW #WinAtSocial Lesson: Exploring the relationship between sleep, memory, and learning.
Despite the increase in A.I. training for teachers, school districts are still facing disparities
The Gist: Between 2023 and 2024, the percentage of school districts training teachers on A.I. more than doubled, jumping from 23% to 48%. However, a significant gap remains: low-poverty districts were far more likely to provide A.I. training than high-poverty districts (67% vs. 39%). Based on districts’ plans for fall 2025, this disparity is expected to continue, with researchers noting that high-poverty schools will “likely need additional support to prepare their teachers for A.I.”
What to Know: A recent study by Rand Corp highlights that A.I. training can help ease educators’ fears and hesitations about integrating artificial intelligence into their classrooms. Yet, nearly all district leaders surveyed said these training opportunities are optional, not required.
Rand stresses that as best practices emerge, they must be equitably shared across state and regional education networks, especially since A.I.’s long-term impact on teaching and learning is still unfolding.
TSI’s Take: Without clear guidance and consistent resources, schools risk widening the opportunity gap when it comes to A.I. literacy. At The Social Institute, we believe every school community deserves access to student-centered, proactive A.I. solutions that fuel academic success and well-being, not deepening inequities.
Want to learn more about how to help students and educators handle the pressure of technology? Check out this recent blog: Artificial intelligence for academic excellence: How educators can guide students and support their own goals and #WinAtSocial Lesson: Breaking down ChatGPT and the role of artificial intelligence in our lives.
Students are again participating in the ice bucket challenge, but this time to advocate for mental health
The Gist: The original Ice Bucket Challenge took the internet by storm in 2014 to raise funds for ALS research. Now, students at the University of South Carolina have reimagined it to tackle a new challenge: mental health awareness. Through the Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club’s #SpeakYourMind campaign on Instagram, students of all ages are stepping up and speaking out.
What to Know: Participants of the #SpeakYourMind challenge post a video of themselves pouring ice water over their heads, nominate others to do the same, and donate to Active Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth to change mental health norms.
What started as a modest goal of raising $500 quickly exploded: the campaign surpassed $100,000 in donations within weeks and is gaining serious momentum on social media.
Brett Curtis, director of community fundraising and events at Active Minds, said many nonprofits have long sought a similarly effective movement. “I think fundraising professionals for nonprofits and causes have sat around tables for years trying to say, ‘What’s going to be our ice bucket challenge,'” Curtis said. “I do think there’s a little irony in that it is just the ice bucket challenge again, this time to talk about mental health.”
TSI’s Take: The #SpeakYourMind campaign speaks to the power that students can harness when they use their mics for good. Whether it be helping to raise awareness about a cause they’re passionate about, donating to charities they love, sharing resources, or representing their values through their high-character actions online, students have the ability to make a real difference. Here are some tips to help students use social media for good:
- Lift others up – Share posts that highlight peers, teachers, or community members making a positive impact. Celebrate kindness, creativity, and resilience.
- Share with care – Fact-check before reposting, avoid spreading negativity, and choose words that reflect your character and values.
- Think local, act global – Use your platform to spotlight causes in your community and connect with global movements. Small actions can inspire big change.
Want to learn more about how to help students use their mics for good? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Understanding the role social media plays in times of crisis, like the LA wildfires.
Helping Students Strike a Balance Between Technology and Real Life, Guiding Educators in the Effort to Handle the Pressure of Emerging A.I., and Amplifying Student Voices as They Continue to Use Their Mics for Good
Whether they’re powering down their devices to prioritize sleep, navigating unequal access to A.I. education, or taking on viral challenges to raise awareness for mental health, students are proving that online life and real-life wellness can go hand in hand. As educators, we can support them by modeling healthy habits, advocating for equitable tech access, and encouraging them to speak up and lead with purpose online. Want to help students sharpen their digital instincts and take control of their online world? 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 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.