Press

As summer begins, many students trade school routines for increased screen time, late-night scrolling, and excessive social media use, habits that can follow them straight back into the classroom in the fall. In response, Laura Tierney, Founder and CEO of The Social Institute, wrote for District Administration about how schools can help families prevent the “summer tech slide” with proactive, realistic strategies around social media, A.I., and screen time. Read now on DistrictAdministration.com >>

The Social Institute is proud to announce that Founder and CEO Laura Tierney has been named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500, an annual list honoring the most dynamic women business leaders in the United States. The honor recognizes founders whose bold ideas, resilience, and execution are shaping the future of their industries. Read more here.

PBS News shares an AP Report about the rise of deepfake cyberbullying and how it poses a growing problem for schools. In the article, Laura Tierney, founder and CEO of The Social Institute, shares the SHIELD Method, a strategy educators can equip their students with to know what to do when they encounter deepfake, A.I.-generated, and explicit content. Read now on PBS News >>

Earlier this fall, two boys were charged after creating A.I.-generated nudes of two of their classmates, as what is believed to be the first prosecution stemming from a new state law that addresses the creation of explicit A.I.-generated content. In response, Laura Tierney, founder and CEO of The Social Institute, huddled with AP News to provide some advice on what students and educators should do when they are impacted by A.I.-generated deepfakes. Read now on APNews.com >>

When it comes to Sora, the A.I. video generator made by OpenAI, Laura Tierney, founder and CEO of The Social Institute, encourages huddling, rather than focusing on blocking or monitoring. Savvy students will often find a way onto apps if they’re determined, so keeping conversations open with students is the best way to make sure they’re navigating A.I., social media, and tech in safe and positive ways. Learn more on Parents.com.