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What’s Trending With Students (And Why It Matters): Satire on TikTok, A.I. Helps Endangered Species, and Social Media is the Top News Source

Trending on TikTok: “Propaganda I’m not falling for”

The Gist: Students scrolling through TikTok right now are coming across videos where creators are listing societal norms, expectations, and social media trends that don’t align with their core values and labeling them as “propaganda I’m not falling for.” Largely satirical but containing a kernel of truth for the creators, this trend gives students a creative outlet to question norms or trends made popular by social media, and is a great entry point for conversations about values, identity, and media influence in the classroom. 

What to Know: A quick scroll through the trend reveals a wide mix of what students are pushing back on – and what’s resonating with their peers. The lists of “propaganda” include a variety of topics, ranging from serious to playful. Creators are using the trend as an opportunity to critique aspects of modern life, whether it be unrealistic beauty standards, romanticized consumerism, or productivity hacks. 

For example, one video that was viewed almost 300,000 times mentioned Labubus, “cute-but-creepy” collectible dolls that have taken social media by storm. The video also criticized #SkinnyTok, a section of the algorithm that promotes extreme thinness as a healthy lifestyle goal. 

TSI’s Take: The “Propaganda I’m not falling for” trend serves as a playful yet powerful way of challenging stereotypes and societal pressures while also reflecting our values online. By participating, students are able to practice managing external pressures while also finding communities that share their values. Here are some tips to guide students in handling the pressure of social media: 

• Think critically – Encourage students to think critically about the content they consume. Is it promoting unrealistic standards, peer pressure, or unhealthy comparisons? Recognizing hidden messages is the first step to resisting them.
• Define your values – When students are clear on what they stand for, it becomes easier to say no to trends or content that conflict with their beliefs. Personal values can serve as a compass in the noisy world of social media.
• Disconnect when needed – Taking breaks from social media can help students recharge, reflect, and return with a clearer perspective. Remind them that it’s okay to log off – real life isn’t measured in likes or follows.

Want to learn more about how to help students handle the pressure? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: The Anxious Generation: Debating tech and social media’s role in managing anxiety.

The positive power of A.I.: Rescuing endangered bird species and live translation during phone calls

The Gist: Between inherent biases, the spread of misinformation, and data privacy concerns, A.I. is often met with skepticism. But when used ethically and with purpose, advancements in A.I. are doing a lot of good for the world. For example, one foundation created an A.I. technology that detects the calls of endangered birds and helps conservationists locate them. And Apple is updating Apple Intelligence to include live language translation during phone and video calls. Students are growing up alongside A.I., so showing them how it can be used ethically and for positive impact helps shape how they approach these tools now and in the future.

What to Know:  To help identify and protect endangered species, The Colossal Foundation has developed an A.I. algorithm capable of detecting the bird call of the critically endangered tooth-billed pigeon, also known as the “little dodo.” Native to Samoa and considered its national bird, the species has become increasingly rare. Now, thanks to this innovation, conservationists — in partnership with the Samoa Conservation Society — are hopeful that the tech will lead to new sightings and potentially help save not just this bird, but other endangered species too.

Meanwhile, Apple is rolling out powerful new updates to Apple Intelligence, including a real-time translation feature in messages, phone calls, and FaceTime. Translations appear instantly as captions or can be spoken aloud, and because it’s processed entirely on your device, conversations stay private.

Advancements in A.I. like these remind us of the good it can do when designed with purpose.

TSI’s Take: A.I. will continue to develop, and it’s easy to get lost in the concerns of too much innovation too quickly. However, artificial intelligence is being used for some pretty incredible things, too. A.I. isn’t just helping students study or grasp tough concepts. It’s also showing them how technology can be a force for good. From protecting endangered species to breaking down language barriers, students are discovering how A.I. can make a real impact in their communities and beyond.

Here are some tips to guide your students in using A.I. for good: 

• Stay curious and informed – A.I. is evolving rapidly, and staying educated about how it works helps students use it more responsibly. Understanding the basics (like how models are trained, where data comes from, and what biases might exist) makes them more thoughtful users.
• Use A.I. to support creativity and learning – From generating ideas for writing projects to helping with language translation or coding, A.I. can be a powerful learning partner. Students can use it to enhance, not replace, their own thinking and creativity.
• Think ethically – With great tools come great responsibilities. Encourage students to ask: “Is this helpful? Is it fair? Could this harm someone?” Using A.I. with empathy and a sense of purpose ensures it’s contributing to something positive.

Want to learn more about how to help students use technology (and A.I.!) for good? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Breaking down unseen ethics and biases in A.I. 

Research shows social media platforms have become the main source of news in the U.S.

The Gist: Recent research suggests that social media and video platforms have officially overtaken traditional news sources like TV and news websites as the primary source of news in the United States. That means today’s students are forming opinions, consuming breaking news, and shaping their worldview based on what they see in TikToks, Instagram Stories, YouTube clips, and algorithm-fed reels. Often, this content isn’t vetted, verified, or even accurate — and students often can’t tell the difference. 

What to Know: More than half (54%) of people in the United States reportedly get their news from platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube – eclipsing TV (50%) and news sites and apps (48%), according to Reuters Institute. The report also found that many politicians around the world are opting for interviews with “friendly” internet personalities, rather than traditional media sources. And that people under the age of 25 are turning to A.I. chatbots for news twice as often as older demographics.

Getting news from social media where students already spend time might feel convenient, and hearing a favorite podcaster interview a politician might seem more engaging than traditional news. But these sources often come with hidden biases, low standards for accuracy, and little to no fact-checking. As platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram become the primary way students consume news, teaching media literacy can’t be optional anymore.

Students need the skills to think critically, question what they see, and separate fact from fiction, and educators are in a powerful position to help them do just that.

TSI’s Take: If students are getting their news from influencers and A.I.-generated clips, we can’t afford to treat media literacy as an afterthought. It’s more important than ever that students know how to check their sources and detect bias. Here are some media literacy tips to share with your students: 

• Cross-check facts – Don’t rely on just one post or source. Encourage students to verify information across multiple credible outlets to see if the story holds up. Reliable facts usually appear in more than one place.
• Look for the source behind the post – Just because something looks official or is shared by someone popular doesn’t mean it’s trustworthy. Teach students to ask: Who published this? Is it a journalist, a government agency, or a random account?
• Watch for emotional language and bias – If a headline is designed to make you angry or overly excited, take a step back. Sensationalized wording often signals bias or misinformation. Students should learn to spot loaded language and dig deeper before believing or sharing.

Want to learn more about how to help students find positive influencers? Check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson: Staying smart and savvy when we search things online.

Helping Students Think Critically About Trends, Use A.I. for Good, and Navigate a Changing Media Landscape

Whether they’re calling out unrealistic standards on TikTok, exploring how A.I. can support conservation and accessibility, or questioning the reliability of online news sources, students are proving they’re ready to engage with technology on their own terms. As educators, we can support them by creating space for honest conversations, modeling curiosity over fear, and helping them build the skills they need to make thoughtful choices online. 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 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, incorporating timely topics such as social media, AI, screen time, misinformation, and current events to help schools stay proactive in supporting student health, happiness, and academic success.