Happy happy April, readers! It’s Olivia & Ally here, and before we dive in, you may remember that last month we said we’d be changing up our newsletter structure. However, we’ve decided to stick with what we’ve been doing, with a few minor changes here and there! A refresh is always good, no matter how big or small.

That being said, we have lots and lots of exciting things coming and new updates for you all, so happy reading! ⬇️ 🙌 👀

Looking for something to do this summer (that’s free)?

If you’re someone who’s between the ages of 15-21 and you’re reading this, we want YOU to apply for our 2026 Digital Civics Academy! Our one-week virtual advocacy masterclass will introduce you to the world of responsible technology and digital wellness — a field that is directly shaping the future of Big Tech — through expert speaker sessions, hands-on workshops, and field trips to places like tech HQs and State Capitols for folks in NYC, DC, LA, and SF.

Don’t take our word for it though.

Last year, Aashi Shulka participated in DCA and now, she’s interning with New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes.

All you need to do is fill out an application by April 30th and this could be you! ⬇️

Apply by April 30th!

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know. And who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• As you might have seen in the news these past few weeks, the tide is finally turning! Meta and YouTube were found GUILTY in the landmark case against their addictive platform design.🧑‍⚖️ Leo breaks this down and what it means for young people in his video below!

• Young people are making tech their own with cyberdecks! 💿 🔧 A cyberdeck is a handmade portable computer, assembled from mismatched parts — like the keyboard of a slide phone, an mp3 player, and an iPod screen for example. They are not a new thing entirely, but a way to take back using personalized, expressive technology. We love it!! Want to build your own? Check out this tutorial.

  

• Restaurants are incentivizing people to have phone-free dinners! 🍦📵

  A Chick-fil-a location in Maryland has launched the “Cell Phone Coop Challenge,” where they provide diners with a place to store their phones while eating, and in return get a free ice cream cone for completing the screen-free challenge. Offline is IN, and we love this effort by a major fast-food chain to get the tech-free conversations back up!

👎What’s Not:

• Are we all starting to sound the same? Is AI homogenizing our thoughts? Many articles and YouTube video essays over the past year have covered this exact topic. This article from The Indian Express discusses this phenomenon at length, asking “if all we read is AI slop, is human writing beginning to mimic AI in an endless feedback loop?” The fear is the human voice being lost. If we all sound the same, does anything stand out as a new, creative thought?

• Another hot topic surrounding AI has been the issue of combining ChatGPT and medical anxiety.😵‍💫 Online communities dedicated to medical anxiety (effecting upwards of 12% of the population!) have shown a recent uptick in turning to chatbots to discuss their health anxiety, and actually negatively impacting users’ thought processes. Because ChatGPT and other AI chatbots are so agreeable and validating to the user, they end up only increasing fear in those who worry about their health. A response from OpenAI stated efforts to further improve the bot’s response to distress, but mental health professionals warn to not rely on chatbots as your doctor. 🫂

If you are looking for some true #hopecore on your feed, look no further than @signswithmeg who goes around NYC asking strangers to “Tell me ur good news!” It’s a reminder that the world isn’t doom and gloom all the time and that social media can be a tool to for joy.

If you’re headed to a music festival this spring, consider going phone-free! As Coachella takes over everyone’s social media feed, Pinterest is going in exact opposite direction with their phone-free activation. 📵

Upon entry, guests lock up their phones and can explore the various activities like charm bracelet making, Pinterest trend inspired beauty touch-ups, and a printed “Joy Guide” with stickers and postcards to commemorate the experience. The typical brand activation is designed for to help you curate the perfect Instagram post, but does that actually bring true joy?

Not only does this activation communicate what Pinterest really stands for - using the inspiration you find online as a tool to get you offline - but it also signals a larger societal movement where we’re craving real connection without a screen in front of us.

Read the latest!

Read the latest!

Welcome back to In The Loop!

In this edition:

• What’s new with phone-free schools 📵

• Beware of AI chatbots… 🤖

• A screen-time app that actually works ☁️

Educators! Get The Teen POV on School Phone Policies! 📲

Earlier this summer, #HTS’s very own Kelly Mendoza, Harveer Saini, and Ally, hosted an #edWeb Webinar all about the future of phone-free schools. Over 300 educators and school leaders showed up live, but 1,700 more have watched it since! So, if you missed it, don’t worry! You can still watch the entire recording and get tips and insights into the ways you can approach this phone-free school year.

Tune into the Webinar

Calling All New York High Schoolers! 🚨

Speaking of phone-free schools, what if there was a way students could actually get involved and make these policies work for their school? Good news! If you’re a New York high school student, #HalfTheStory is currently accepting applications for the NY Teen Tech Council - a year-long initiative that brings YOU to the table to help implement policies around building/to support building a culture of digital wellness that extends beyond the classroom (and it's completely free to join!).

Apply for the NY Teen Tech Council!

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know. And who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• Feeling overwhelmed, alone, or nervous around back to school? ✏️ We found this TikTok page called SOMETHINGS For Teens, dedicated to making teens feel less alone. Their account features series such as the Teen Survival Guide, Q&A, and even a link for teens to talk to a mentor if needed. 🫂 💜 We at #HTS absolutely LOVE what SOMETHINGS is doing and hope their videos continue to go viral!

• What is a personal curriculum? 🤔 There’s a new trend on TikTok about building yourself a monthly “personal curriculum” without the pressure of grades or deadlines. It’s supposed to be fun! The idea is when you have spare time, replace doomscrolling with learning something that you’re interested in or will be useful to you! ⭐️🙌 Check out our very own Social Media U’s wonderful video about this to learn more!

👎What’s Not:

• You’ve probably heard talk of “AI Psychosis” recently. This article from TIME explains that while it is not exactly psychosis, those with a family or personal history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia are at risk of suffering from delusions related to AI use. These instances remind us of the importance of seeking support from mental health professionals, friends, and family, and recognizing the limitations and risks of relying on generative AI tools.

• Instagram, but for iPad? 🤔 Instagram has launched their new update specifically for iPad users, as the app has never been previously formatted for an iPad. But it’s not the same as Instagram for mobile phones…it doesn’t take you straight to the homepage. Hear our very own Ally explain this update and what it means!

If your school is going phone-free this year, what are you doing to navigate this drastic change? One NY Teen Tech Council member, Jacob, shares three things he’s trying this year including bringing Uno and the latest Hunger Games book to school! Check it out!

What happens when you combine a Tamagotchi with a Pomodoro Timer? Focus Friend is a new app created by Hank Green that encourages you to take back your time and ditch the scroll with the help of a cute bean that knits socks (not sponsored, we just love the app)! 🧦🧶

Download Focus Friend

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! 🎬 At this year’s Digital Civics Academy, we took our New York students to First Stop News where they got to film a couple of roundtables giving candid thoughts on being a young person in this digital age! Tune in to a discussion on what they really think about screen use.

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

P.S. if you made it this far…don’t forget to apply to the NY Teen Tech Council!

Apply Here

It’s Olivia and Ally and we’re in a bit of a reflecting mood. After 12 months of sharing teen POVs monthly and now weekly (check out ‘Teen Feed’ if you haven’t yet), we are so grateful for everyone who reads each article, and better yet, if it’s inspired you to take agency over your digital habits, whether you’re a teen or an adult, that’s even better.

When we started In The Loop, our goal was to make the digital world more accessible for everyone navigating it. By breaking down social media trends to spotlight teen voices, we feel that we’re only getting started and we have so much more to share. Here’s a quick overview of the impact we’ve had so far!

As we grow, we want YOUR input and feedback! Take 5 minutes to fill out this short survey to share your thoughts on how we can improve this newsletter (AND be entered in a giveaway to win a $30 gift card!).

Share Your Thoughts!

#HalfTheStory x Discovery Education ✏️ 🌍

This week, #HalfTheStory annouced our brand new partnership with the one and only Discovery Education to suport the launch of a new Digital Citizenship Initiative. We’re making our educational resources more accessible to 50M educators. Why? Because equity matters and we strive to be on the bright side of history.

“Behind The Screen”🪞

#HalfTheStory was featured in a booklet created by the Center for Urban Pedagogy, students at The Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering, and Teaching Artist, Carly Terreson. The piece zooms in on how media shapes body image and self esteem among young people and the ways that teens can navigate this complex experience.

"Behind The Screen"

11.5MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

++ Peek a teen illustration of our Youth Engagement and Advocacy Manager getting interviewed! ⬇️

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• We were never meant to see our own faces this much! Creators on TikTok and Instagram have been repeating this phrase as a reminder of why so many of us struggle with self-image. We become obsessed with scrutinizing our appearances when the truth is we should focus more on our character. As Avi Gill says in this post, YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCE! ❤️

• Millie Bobby Brown is naming names! In a rare, refreshing move by a celebrity, Millie took to Instagram on Monday to call out the dozens of articles and headlines criticizing her for looking/acting “too old”. Millie named names, pointing out that she is no longer a fourteen-year-old kid, and people should stop expecting her to be as young, thin, or childlike as she was because she is a strong, grown woman. Props to you, Millie!💪

• Happy Women’s History Month! 💗👭 This is the perfect time to uplift and celebrate the women who inspire you daily. Whether it's through art, music, writing, or social activism, there are incredible women shaping culture and pushing boundaries in ways that often go unnoticed. Especially this year, use this month to give credit where it’s due, and keep supporting them as they break down barriers!

👎What’s Not:

• Last week, an error in the Meta algorithm caused users to see an influx of horrific, graphic video content🚨…how does this happen!? Users saw extremely graphic content that was not labeled with a “Sensitive Content” warning and content that should not be allowed on Instagram AT ALL. It is concerning that this issue arose shortly after Meta’s announcement to lessen user moderation.

• TikTok Shop and Diet Culture?! 💊TikTok is known for an excessive amount of advertisements, but we’ve noticed recently that they are inescapable, and most of them are about body image. We’ve seen ads for “belly-slimming” digestive pills, waist trainers, greens powder, and mini stair-steppers—all with the same message. It is usually a female body-checking the camera, with a caption about being bikini/summer “ready”. Aren’t we tired of this already??

• Are Family vloggers fleeing California for Tennessee?✈️ Amidst new laws in California that aim to protect child influencers from potential parental exploitation by requiring that a percentage of their earnings be placed in a trust for them, the public is speculating that family vloggers are moving to states where there is less regulation. In light of the recent documentary on the Franke Family, the question of the ethics of family vlogging has been a hot topic of debate.

Influencers have been around for a while. But how did the industry actually start?

Recently, I was watching a video on Instagram from an influencer I had never heard of before talking about her day and advertising her favorite matcha. The amount of indescribable ease and connection I felt with this person I had never met in real life made me immediately look into that matcha powder she advertised. It might seem ridiculous, but there is something so rewarding about feeling like a person online sees you for who you are and who you aspire to be. Looking back, I realized I was drawn to her authenticity. Let’s face it, influencers are everywhere, and gaining our love and support is dependent on authenticity. Today, influencers make up the influencer industry, which is a space where influencers collaborate with brands to promote services or products. Initially, fashion, beauty, and travel organizations led the way, but nonprofits and political campaigns have increasingly nudged their way into the industry. So, let’s break down this complex system.

The Origins

During the Great Recession of 2008, many people lost their jobs and faced economic uncertainty, leading to what Emily Hund, author of The Influencer Industry: The Quest for Authenticity on Social Media, called an “ideological break.” In her interview with Vox, she argued, “a lot of people started to think ‘Wow, this system is not going to save me, and I have to do something to try and survive.’ There was all of the rhetoric about the wonders of social media, and it drove a lot of people online to try to keep themselves afloat in some way.” As a result, many turned to apps like YouTube and Tumblr and started blogging to network and find freelance work. Bloggers ended up building loyal audiences, and advertisers saw an opportunity to market their products in the newly flourishing digital age.

Enjoying this article? Teen Feed has it’s own column! Click here to keep reading!

Building a digital well-being ecosystem to empower teens everywhere is what we do. Hear from Digital Civics Academy alum, Kristen Lew, on her new role at #HalfTheStory! ✊

Did you know that you can use your library card to rent e-books and audiobooks?

Well, you can…through FREE LIBRARY APPS! 📚💳

Your local public library has resources like Libby and Hoopla that allow you to read on your phone, tablet, or laptop on demand. Now you have no excuse to not be reading — it’s all on your phone!

And hey, if you’re going to be scrolling anyway, you might as well do something productive that improves your mood—reading can be the perfect escape, and it’s a great way to unwind or spark new ideas! So grab that library card and start exploring the world of free digital content today!

“Technology isn’t fun anymore”

Popular YouTuber Drew Gooden posted this video last week on the fact that AI and other new tech features make media feel different and inauthentic, and how a return to physical media may be more satisfying. Check it out here!

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

P.S. Don’t forget to fill out the feedback survey and get the chance to win a $30 gift card!

Fill Out The Survey!

Anyway, if you’re needing some extra inspiration to make some changes to your digital habits, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving into:

• Fandom culture

• 2025 ins and outs

• And more!

We have so many exciting projects coming this year and we hope you continue to stay in the loop on all things digital wellbeing, social media trends, and the teen POV🫶🏻!

2025 Ins and Outs✌️

If you haven’t set your New Year’s resolutions yet, it’s never too late to establish them now! But while you’re at it, here are a few of #HalfTheStory’s Ins and Outs for new year (digital wellbeing themed ofc).

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• 2025 is the year for having hobbies (as seen above) and we love seeing more creators on social media sharing their favorite screen free hobbies Try out watercolors🎨, creating digital or physical vision boards🖼️ , or even starting that 1000-piece puzzle 🧩 sitting in your closet!

• Do Gen Z and Gen Alpha actually want TikTok to be banned (more on this below)? While there are many nuances to explore with this topic, it’s refreshing to see more young people shifting their relationship with social media towards a more positive and mindful one 🧠 🌱.

• If you need more “intellectually stimulating” and “thought-provoking” content, @anastasiainblue creates videos about how she would create a fast food brand to her ideas for a new Summer Friday lip balm flavor! ✨

👎What’s Not:

• Is Internet Fandom going too far? 🤔 Recently, musical artist Chappell Roan had to beg fans to give her some space and to stop harassing her in public. This has been happening to a number of celebrities and influencers, highlighting a growing issue where fans feel entitled to know everything about a star’s personal life, whereabouts, et cetera. Celebrities do not deserve to have their safety put at risk for the sake of entertainment.🙅

• After years of the Body Positivity Movement, the internet seems to be reverting back to its old ways. TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) have a growing issue with pro-eating disorder content. While many pro-ED users on TikTok get around censors by using misspellings, there seem to be no censors at all for X users. They call themselves “edtwt”, and post “thinspo”, encourage each other to stop eating, and build a community/culture of disordered eating. Why does X continue to let this fly, especially at a time like this?

• “Girl Math” and the infantilization of women😑 - the “girl math” jokes, as well as “girl hobbies”, and the “I’m just a girl” phenomenon may have started out as harmless, but it’s starting to feel…weird and tiring. In an age of female empowerment and breaking stereotypes, it feels like we’re taking three giant steps backward to separate things into the “girl” category constantly. Girls are not too silly, fragile, or spacey to do math, have hobbies, or be WOMEN! 💪💕

Let’s face it. Instagram simply has too many features. So, Madelyn, one of our TAB members and content creators conducted a survey to see how our teens feel about a few of the features.

For teenagers, Instagram serves as more than just a communication tool. It’s a place to explore interests, express our identities, and connect with communities we resonate with. Features like Posts and Reels allow users to both share their own content and watch that of others. This constant influx of content has already created a highly interconnected world, where everything from recipes to random celebrity gossip and memes spreads at lightning speed!

Recent updates to Instagram have introduced new features that have sparked a range of reactions, especially among teen users. Some features have been met with enthusiasm, while others have sparked debates, with users either embracing them wholeheartedly or calling for their removal entirely. Taking a look through the lens of us teens, I conducted a poll with 30 participants (from my own personal network or #HalfTheStory’s TAB/Content Team) to gather opinions on some of Instagram’s more unique features (included below!).

Below, I’ve included an overview of the features, a brief description based on Instagram's definitions, tips on where to find them if you’re unfamiliar, a breakdown of pros and cons, approval ratings, and my own personal take.

The Facts:

• 90% of respondents reported liking Instagram overall.

• 83.3% reported Reels as the “most addicting feature.”

• 100% of participants do not like being left on “seen” (this is a joke, lol).

• When asked what feature respondents would “completely take away”, the most common responses included Note Polls, Notes on Reels, and comments on Stories.

• When asked what feature respondents would add to the app, some creative ideas included Reposts, leaving messages as unseen/unread, pausing Reels, and viewing who has visited your profile.

Enjoying this article? Teen Feed has it’s own column! Click here to keep reading!

What does the TikTok ban actually entail?

Olivia breaks down some details about the upcoming court decision.

Replace doomscrolling with…a notebook! 📓📓

Yes. Instead of pulling out your phone while you’re waiting in line for your coffee or sitting on the train, take out a journal or pocket-sized notebook. Jot down your surroundings and your thoughts, and see how it makes you feel (we’re guessing you’ll feel a lot less brainrot…).

The internet is an overwhelming yet fascinating space. So many trends bombarded our feeds in 2024, but which ones actually matter? Listen to this episode of NYT’s, The Opinions to get some insight!

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

Whether you’re already setting goals for the new year or simply trying to get through these next few weeks, the end of the year can bring up a lot of emotions so don’t be afraid to shut your phone off and spend some time offline 🩵 ☃️!!

Where Are They Now? ✌️

One of our Digital Civics Academy leaders, C.J. Getting, did a deep dive into student-led nonprofits for the Central Times (his school’s student-run news publication!!) AND featured our founder Larz! Check it out below👇

https://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2024/11/17/beyond-good-intentions-why-student-led-nonprofits-fail-at-longevity/

Gifts, But Make It Screen-Free! 🎁

Need ideas for your holiday shopping list? Our Teen Advisory Board has compiled a list of goodies anyone would love to receive. The best part? This guide includes items that offer a sense of calm and connection in a fast-paced digital world!

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• Have we discovered a new “third space”?🌳🎭 If you’ve noticed, celebrity lookalike contests have been popping up all over, including a Timothée Chalamet contest in NYC to a Paul Mescal contest in Dublin. The draw? Well, not only are these events free compared to a concert or a night out, but they are also fun and lighthearted forms of IRL connection and an alternative to doomscrolling!

• “When I get made fun of for not having social media, but I’m just a chill guy who just wants to protect my peace.” We love this “chill guy” meme that’s all about not caring at all about others’ opinions! 😎

• Mental health breaks done right!! 🧠💗 Many TikTok users express their annoyance with “stop scrolling” style videos. Commenters say they can sound condescending or discouraging, but creator Melissa Romano has discovered a positive, calm style using grounding and breathing techniques. Check out her page for some much-needed scroll breaks!

👎What’s Not:

• 💁‍♂️ The “manosphere” is defined as the part of the internet that promotes toxic masculinity and misogyny…and if you noticed, it played a huge role in the 2024 Presidential Election. However, its impact is far greater than politics. In fact, this culture stems from a larger issue of you guessed it, an increase in loneliness and isolation among young men due to social media. More on this later…

• Is pursuing the offline lifestyle only for the wealthy?! 🗞️ This TikTok creator (@notesfromkayla) shares her commentary on the future of social media and the shift back to traditional print media. Unfortunately, however, many publications are blocked by expensive paywalls (like this one that was referenced in the TikTok) and for the average person, social media is free, which makes it the default method to consume content.

A few weeks ago, Australia placed a social media ban on kids under 16. While there has been plenty of discourse on both sides of the coin, #HTS Content Creator, Kerry, dives into her POV on school phone bans!

Going into the 2024-25 academic year, many schools across the United States are considering banning smartphones for students during school hours. According to the New York Times in August, eight states have already placed rules or passed laws regarding mitigating phone use.

As a senior attending a high school that has an active cell phone ban, I thought it would be interesting to share my own experiences and shed light on the matter, for both the proponents and the opponents of this policy.

Let’s break it down.

Pros ✅

1. 🧠 Mental health awareness: One of the most significant harms of using social media on phones is not the content itself — it's the fact that these highly addictive platforms and materials are so easily accessible to students as young as seven. Being “chronically online” and “brainrot” is funny until it exponentially decreases the attention span of our generation. Banning phones in school may not fully reach this goal but it is a start on redirecting kids’ and teens’ attention to something other than endless Instagram Reels.

Enjoying this article? Teen Feed has it’s own column now! Click here to keep reading!

Does anything ever truly go away once it’s on the internet? The answer👇

We’ve been asking for this feature FOR YEARS and Meta finally answered👇

If you need to refresh your algorithm, you can now RESET it 🔄. Our teens tried it, so stay tuned for a review! In the meantime…try it for yourself — better now than never!

How do people actually feel about our tie with social media? 🤔 Find out in Jubilee’s recent video where a group of young people share their POV on social media app age requirements to hate comments.

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

First and foremost, Happy November!🥧🍁☕️ There is so much going on around this time of year (how are we two months away from 2025?!). From the 2024 Presidential Election in just a few days to college application season and sweater weather in full swing, here’s your reminder to take time for yourself! Anyone care for JOMO (joy of missing out)?!

In the meantime, we have a lot of fun things to talk this month about but…

#HalfTheStory on CBS!! 📺

Our founder Larz appeared on CBS last week to share how our organization is continuing to pave the way for a brighter digital future. Check it out here!

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• Subtle Foreshadowing?? 🌩️ If you’ve been on TikTok at all this past week, you’ve definitely seen the “subtle foreshadowing” trend. People have been taking funny clips of themselves, usually falling down, and adding dramatic music. It’s a funny, not-so-subtle trend that allows us to laugh at ourselves a bit. Even Olivia Rodrigo is in on it!

• “on my way to cancel out my dad’s vote!” 🗳️ Gen Z voters have been posting videos about how they’re voting to cancel out their parent’s votes this election. While it may seem a bit odd, we love this trend because it acknowledges that “yes”, our country is divided, however, we can still co-exist and respect each others’ beliefs. P.S. If you’re a young person, our voices and opinions MATTER for our future. So go vote if you haven’t already! - xoxo first-time voters 💜

• SNL x TikTok FYP! 📲 🎭 On Saturday Night Live’s last episode, featuring host Michael Keaton, they included another installment of their TikTok Sketches. In this one, you see a soon-to-be father miss the birth of his child because he’s scrolling on his FYP. It’s crazy accurate, and definitely shows how sucked in we can get to our screens!

👎What’s Not:

• What is a “TikTok Uniform”?🧢 Have we lost our sense of individuality as a society? In this video linked above, this creator describes her experience moving back to NYC after the rise of TikTok. She noticed that people on the street all seemed to be wearing the same thing…and the bottom line is that it’s because social media makes us feel that how we are perceived needs to be approved by the trends that are circling or whatever influencers tell us is “good” or “bad”. Let us be the ones to tell you that social media is not real life.

• Is AI a replacement for human connection? Absolutely not. 🙅‍♀️ As AI platforms like Character.AI grow, they’re shaping young people’s digital lives—and not always for the better. The tragic death of 15-year-old KD, whose parents claim an AI chatbot fueled his depression, is real. In a TikTok that spoke about this devasting story, many of the comments were asking why the parents aren’t being held accountable, yet Character.AI is. While there are many nuances, it is important to acknowledge that just like social media companies, AI companies need to have regulations and safeguards that prevent tragedies such as this from happening in the future.

• Apparently, ballot selfies are illegal (in 13 states)🤳❌ As people start putting in their votes and making their way to the polls, our social media feeds are going to be flooded with people posting 0.5s of their “I voted” stickers or photos of them dropping off their ballots. However, in 13 states, including New York, ballot selfies are a threat to a fair election. Valid point. But, we feel that maybe, these laws need to accommodate the digital world that we are all a part of. What do you think?

As two current college students, we understand the stress comes with college apps and senior year. If you need a boost of inspiration and reassurance, teen advisor, Nora, shares her POV as a current high school senior!

In honor of October wrapping up, as a senior dealing with college applications, I wanted to reflect. 

How can we balance fun and work? 

Fall is one of my favorite seasons (even though Miami doesn’t even have an actual fall) and with fall comes fun activities from going apple picking or lighting a cozy candle. But those activities can only be so fun when you have application deadlines looming. 

• Apple Picking 🍎 or Essay Writing ✍️ : When we’re faced with difficult choices between going out with friends or working on essays, it can be easy to persuade yourself to make either one of these decisions. 

  • It’s incredibly important to think about your justifications for why you want to do either activity. Ask yourself: are you procrastinating or taking a much needed break? If you choose to stay home and work on your essays, are you really working on your essays or will you get distracted by your phone? 

• (Apple) Spice up your work: 

  • With applications due so soon, sometimes you really just need to sit down and get as much done as possible. How can we make that more fun? 

  • Some ways that work for me are going to a coffee shop and trying out a fun drink (and maybe a sweet treat), using the Pomodoro method (learn more here), finding a nice study playlist, working outside, or even finding a small reward system to motivate myself during a study session (maybe ordering food from a restaurant you’ve been craving once you finally finish that supplemental). 

Enjoying this article? Teen Feed now has it’s own column now! Click here to keep reading!

We usually spotlight a video in this section, but we wanted to give a huge shoutout to one of our Digital Civics Academy leaders, Saheb Gulati! He recently launched his non-profit, Center for Youth and AI (so so awesome and cool???!!!) which focuses on empowering young people in the next wave of AI. Here’s a sneak peek into what they’ve been working on. ⬇️

The Center for Youth and AI polled young people’s expectations for AI’s effects on their education, careers, and lives. In partnership with YouGov, they surveyed a nationally-representative sample of 1017 American teenagers (13-18). Their results show young people demand action.

Quick highlights (Summary Report):

• 80% of young people (ages 13-18) want lawmakers to address AI risks (compared to 78% for social inequality and 77% for climate change), 

• 2 in 3 have considered automation in their career plans, 

• Nearly three in five were concerned about AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes.

Curious to learn more? Check out their feature in TIME.

"We know youth participation can be performative—we've experienced our share of that. However, I also have hope that if we do valuable research and create the right spaces, young people can contribute substantively and policymakers will want to listen." — Saheb, Founder

Wherever you’re in your life, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and more anxious than usual! We get it. A lot is going on in the world, on social media, and in our day-to-day lives. Take a moment to disconnect and ground yourself, even for a few seconds, with this meditation from one of our teen creators, Ben! 🧘

Love our POV on teens and trends? Check out After School by Casey Lewis — a daily Substack that breaks down all the niche social media topics you don’t need to know (also if you’re reading this Casey, maybe we should collab!?! 🤩).

After School by Casey Lewis

a youth trends cheat sheet

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read!…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

If you’ve been keeping up with us, you’ll know it’s been a monumental week for #HalfTheStory. 

This edition is a bit special because it’s not just your typical rundown of trends and happenings in the digital world but hey! It’s #HalfTheStory’s 10TH BIRTHDAY🎂 🥳 For context, when #HalfTheStory was born, Ally and Olivia were just in elementary school. It’s safe to say that it’s been a rollercoaster and we’re so grateful that you are a part of our community. 🌍🤝

Keep reading to learn where we’re headed next! 👀

Today, which also happens to be International Day of the Girl, #HalfTheStory and Girls Inc. announced a new national digital wellness partnership for girls. By partnering with Girls Inc., we have a unique opportunity to address the pressing issue of digital wellness for young girls at scale, reaching high-opportunity communities across America🌟🌱

If you're not yet familiar with Girls Inc., they spent the past 160 years serving millions of girls across the United States and Canada—particularly girls from low-income communities and girls of color. Through this new partnership, Girls Inc. and #HalfTheStory will work together to equip girls with the tools needed to thrive in the digital age, while fostering healthier, more balanced relationships with technology. 

Check out this awesome story in Vanity Fair to read more about the announcement and the surprise celebrity visit we hosted at Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara!!

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• TikTok Dance Renaissance!!💃👯 TikTok dances are BACK! Back in the early days of TikTok, you couldn’t scroll more than two times without seeing a new dance on your For You Page. And now, after a few years, it seems like our passion for dance is on the rise. Nine times out of ten, TikTok dances are fun, happy, and drama-free trends that act as a little brain break during our scrolling.

• Mental Health Positivity creators! 🫂✨ With October being World Mental Health Month, we wanted to highlight a few creators who have had positive impacts on our #HTS team. Harlan Cohen is a creator who makes GREAT videos for high schoolers and college students (and beyond!), about dealing with the various anxieties and issues they may face during their time as a student, or just in life. Check out his page, it will definitely boost your motivation!!😋

• Mama, the past behind you💜 By now, you’ve probably seen a few familiar “brainrot” phrases accompanied by this emoji:💜 In the past week or so, people have been putting a spin on these memes to make them positive and uplifting (while still being funny). We absolutely love the message this has — positive trends don’t always have to be serious! Hundreds of commenters have expressed their appreciation for these videos, one user saying “Wait, why did I actually need to hear this?”. 

👎What’s Not:

• ‘TraumaTok’ is not new, but it’s real.❤️‍🩹 And while it may be entertaining and “good” that people are being vulnerable with their mental health, it can also be triggering for people to watch. So next time you are thinking of posting, take a step back and be intentional about what you share. 

• Have you noticed recently that a lot of celebrities look less and less…human?👽 “Pillow face” is something that happens as a result of too much filler. With face and lip filler being very trendy, as well as Ozempic, many of our favorite celebrities have been sporting looks that are unattainable to the average person. Rather than setting the example of body positivity and embracing our natural looks, it feels like we’re moving further away from healthy self-image. Hopefully, “pillow face” acts as a wake-up call that too much plastic surgery is possible!

• Liv Schmidt Got Banned?! ❌ A few months ago, we covered the “skinny girl” trend that was circling the internet and Liv Schmidt, one of the main creators of the trend recently got banned from TikTok for violating their Community Guidelines. This is a pretty big step because, in recent years, the topic of weight loss and dieting has only become more prevalent on social media, negatively impacting users, especially young people who are consuming this content. So, maybe this is a win for TikTok?

In honor of #HalfTheStory turning 10, we wanted to share a few of our words on how this organization and its mission have impacted our digital well-being journeys. 🫶

“Before discovering #HalfTheStory, I had never heard of the term “digital wellbeing” or any movement that was addressing the concerns between tech and mental health. Yet, once I got more invovled through the Teen Advisory Board, I realized that this issue is one that affects most people in my life, including myself. #HalfTheStory truly prioritizes the youth voice and has given me the tools to not only take agency over my tech use but to empower my peers to do so as well.”

- Ally Phan

My time here at #HTS has been filled with nothing but support, innovative projects, and grateful personnel all ready to truly make this world a better and safer place. I began as a content creator, and this allowed me to realize the emphasis HTS puts on teens in the center of what they do, through making their content, sending their messages, leading their projects, and taking on initiatives of their own. This allows HTS to deliver its message while educating the teenage population through their own peers, something I think many other organizations fail to realize the power of.

- Ahmed Othman

In 2022, my mom DMed me a video from #HalfTheStory, and my life changed. As a young woman, feeling alone, exhausted, and frustrated in her social life, my involvement in #HalfTheStory was instrumental to my self confidence. I learned to share my ideas unapologetically, advocate for myself and fellow young people, and understand that digital wellness should be just as important as other aspects of wellness. #HTS truly spotlights the voices of young people like myself, and creates a safe digital space to educate, advocate, and inspire.

- Olivia DeMartini

After working with #HalfTheStory for over two years, I have learned so much about digital wellness and how to advocate for digital equity in my school and local community. The opportunities #HTS has given me to educate and empower other young people like myself for a better digital future have been impactful and empowering. It has been such an honor to witness the growth of the #HTS movement over the years and the exponential positive impact #HTS is having on our local, national, and global communities.

- Bao Le

A few weeks ago, we launched our POSTS AREN’T VOTES campaign dedicated to empowering young voters to get off their screens and head to the polls! 🗳️✊ If you aren’t registered to vote yet, do it here, OR if you’re currently abroad, Olivia shares how you can make that happen!

Raise your hand if you were a Roblox kid ✋🤖. Recently, they partnered with Google to create the Be Internet Awesome World (learn more here!). In these games, you are immersed in a world full of “Internauts” who help you apply various internet safety skills through real-world scenarios. Players learn things from identifying phishing attempts to spreading kindness online! We gave it a try and let’s say this game-based learning approach is pretty cool! But to be honest, maybe you just need to be a 6-year-old iPad kid to get it…?

HAPPY (almost) HALLOWEEN!!!🎃 👻 🐈‍⬛ Need some inspiration to get in the autumn/spooky season mood? Take a listen to this October 31st essentials playlist! Enjoy plenty of candy and stay safe this Halloweekend! 🧡🖤

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read!…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

Hii! It’s Olivia and Ally! If this is your first time reading, WELCOME! We’re so happy you’re here 🫶. This month, we’re covering everything, from AI to school phone bans. We also know that most of you are back at school so here’s a friendly reminder to prioritize your mental health and self-care!!

PLUS, If you’ve been reading since the beginning, we want to hear YOUR feedback to learn how we can make In The Loop even better! Fill out this quick survey for a chance to win a $30 gift card!⚡️

Let Us Know What You Think!

Where Are They Now?!🌟

Last month, we hosted nearly 50 teens for our Digital Civics Academy. ICYMI, we had five days of speaker sessions, field trips to Snapchat HQ and the Sacramento State Capitol, and a chance to empower teens to pilot their own movements. One of those teens, Kristen Lew, has been growing her community The Care Cafe, a mental health podcast dedicated to uncovering the secrets to self-care.

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• Very mindful, very cutesy, very demure. 💅 If you’re chronically online, your whole feed has most likely been demure-central (Never heard of it? Here’s a quick explanation!). We love how this trend is connecting generations from Gen Alpha to Baby Boomers! It’s tongue-in-cheek, fun, and we LOVE a harmless trend! See how this trend doesn’t promote dangerous or harmful habits? Very mindful, very demuretsy, very #HalfTheStory.🫅😎

• Teacher GRWM’s 🍎 - Sometimes, between the busyness of school and after-school activities, it’s hard to remember that teachers are just like us!! We have been loving these teacher Get Ready With Me’s (GRWM), setting up classroom vlogs, and just TeacherTok in general! Teachers are superheroes so remember to take it easy on them this year! 😉❤️

• What brings you dopamine?✨✨✨We’re loving this trend where people share things that give them a boost of dopamine. Here is #HalfTheStory’s Dopamine Menu!

👎What’s Not:

• Should we be more careful with X? According to a report by parental control app Qustodio, 30% of iPad kids have an account on X, formally known as Twitter. As X seems to be flooded with more misinformation and harmful narratives, this is highly problematic for young kids to be consuming.

• AI deepfakes are getting out of hand…🫤 In a recent NYT interview with Jenna Ortega, it’s revealed that she deleted X due to receiving an overload of explicit AI deepfakes of herself. It turns out that this is a problem that affects not just celebrities but teens as well.

• Gen Z is chronically online, BUT we can’t type?! ⌨️ Isn’t it ironic how kids are getting access to technology younger and younger, yet the majority of us aren’t able to efficiently type on a keyboard? Ally dives into this and why it’s slightly problematic.

Gen Z and millennial voters will make up approximately 48.5% of potential voters in the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election! That means that social media could play a larger role in voter outcomes than ever before. Teen Advisor, Davida Padi, shares her thoughts after attending the 2024 Democratic National Convention!

In the midst of a highly charged election season, the influence of social media on politics has never been more apparent. As someone deeply interested in policy and politics with a focus on social media strategies, I have observed how social media and content creators have taken center stage in shaping the electoral strategy.

TikTok and Twitter, among other platforms, have played a pivotal role in political discourse. From Elon Musk's endorsement of J.D. Vance to Kamala Harris's 'coconut tree' meme clarifies that influencers and content creators are in high demand during this election cycle.

I noticed this during my time in Chicago for the DNC last month. From the brat theme to the abundance of coconuts, social media also played a significant role in the Harris campaign. Approximately 200 content creators were selected to participate in the DNC, highlighting the increasing importance of social media in political events. Both the Democratic National Convention and the Trump Campaign have leveraged social media as a strategic tool, demonstrating the bipartisan nature of social media influence in politics.

While traditional media still holds significance, a new form of media is emerging in social media. Political campaigns adapt to this shift, as demonstrated by instances such as Donald Trump's online stream with Adin Ross and Kamala Harris's interviews with content creators such as Vidya Gopalan and Tefi Pessoa.

The role of social media in engaging young voters, particularly Gen Z, cannot be understated. With Gen Z constituting 20% of eligible voters and being associated with low voter turnout, the promotion of creators and influencers on social media becomes crucial. Notably, issues such as climate change and the potential TikTok ban have captured the attention of young voters, emphasizing the significance of social media in reaching and mobilizing this demographic.

If you aren’t already on the Notion train🚂, this is the perfect time to try it out! We particularly love that you can create an assignment tracker📓 where you can see assignment due dates📆, organize files🗂️, and even add some fun emojis and GIFs!🕺

@notionhq🧠 You’re Gonna learn today How to make a basicassignment tracker on Notion → @justt_eliass bringing us the best vibes and wisdom this school year. Your academic comeback is now. 💪 #notion #notiontok #backtoschool #student #university #productivity #productivityhack

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

A calming new album to ease you into fall: Charm by Clairo! 🍂

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read!…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @´ on all socials! 🤩

P.S. Don’t forget to share YOUR feedback on In The Loop! Fill out this quick Typeform survey for a chance to win a $30 gift card!

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

It’s Ally & Olivia! Welcome to another edition of In The Loop! 

Where do we even begin?!!!

If you’ve been keeping up with us on Instagram, you probably saw the incredible week we had hosting the first-ever Digital Civics Academy.🏛️✊We’re still soaking in all the wisdom we received from our speakers and getting to collaborate and learn from all the youth who are taking the digital wellness movement by storm🚀⚡️. Our team has been working hard to turn this idea into reality so in true #HalfTheStory fashion, we’re going screen-free for a few days. But, don’t worry! We’ll be sharing our reflections very soon.

That said, we challenge you all to spend as much time offline as you can during these last few weeks of summer!! 🌴 Keep reading for tips!

🍎 #HTS Team Field Trip In NYC!

If you didn’t know, #HalfTheStory’s team operates entirely ONLINE (pretty ironic but we make it work :)! Despite that, one thing we make a priority is IRL connections! Last week, Olivia, Daniella (our Program Associate), and Oliver (one of our awesome Teen Advisors and summer intern) met up in NYC for a day of collaging and team building! Check out their day in the life vlog!

💛 Kindness in Community Fund Grant

A few weeks ago, #HalfTheStory was selected for the Kindness in Community Fund Grant created by the Born This Way Foundation, Cotton On, and Cotton On Foundation. This is HUGE and will help us continue our work building our flagship program, Social Media U. Share some love here! ✨✨✨

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• #KOSPA passed the Senate! ✊🚀 Last week, the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act passed the Senate with a 91-3 vote! It’s been nearly 30 years since any significant legislation has passed that directly aims to regulate social media’s impact on young people. This is only the beginning and we couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of the change.

• It’s a Brat Summer 💚— If you aren’t having a BRAT summer…what are you doing? By now, you have definitely seen that lime green color 💚 or heard someone call themselves “so Julia”. Inspired by Charli XCX’s latest “club classic” album, “brat summer” is the antithesis to 2023’s “Clean Girl Summer”. So whether or not you’re a true party girl, “brat summer” invites you to let your hair down, dance, and be a little bratty! 💚😎🪩

• The 🇺🇸US Gymnastics Team🤸 — If you’ve been keeping up with the Olympics, you were probably at the edge of your seats watching as the US Women’s Gymnastics team made history, winning the gold medal last week🥇✨, as well as “Pommel Horse Guy” (Stephen Nedoroscik) capturing the attention of everyone on the internet! What we love even more is how the GOAT🐐, Simone Biles, put mental health at the forefront. We highly recommend that you watch her Netflix documentary where she discusses her journey with therapy and how she manages her relationship with social media 🫶.

👎What’s Not:

• Does chewing gum enhance your jawline? NO! It does not!✋😑 Recently, there has been an uptick in companies selling stiff chewing gum that supposedly will lead to a snatched jawline. Gen Z boys are the main victims. #HalfTheStory Teen Advisor, Bao, shares his thoughts on the trend and why we may want to think twice before clicking ‘add to cart’.

• Liv Schmidt and the “skinny girl”— There is no doubt that we’re all exhausted of these “skinny girl” trends on social media. There’s been talk for the past year of a “heroin chic” renaissance…but that doesn’t mean we have to let it happen! Dozens of creators have come out against these types of creators, including Liv Schmidt, who promote their “skinny girl” lifestyle through undereating and overexercising, urging viewers to prioritize a more balanced and healthy lifestyle instead.

• Instagram added yet another feature to their platform, semi-private comments. 👀🕵️ These comments, or “notes” as they are called on the app, are only visible to select friends and expire after three days. The main question users have about this is: why? The notes are not as private as you would think, as they bump the post back onto follower’s feeds. Users already have the option of a close friend story and feed post, along with DMs. Does adding a private note to a post truly enhance the user experience?🤔

👩🏻‍🏫 🏫 If you’re heading into your first year of college, you’ve probably seen so many videos about what to know, things to bring, etc, etc. Whether you’re starting in a few weeks or you still have some time, here is some useful advice from our teen advisors who just finished their freshman year!

With back-to-school season in the back of our minds, we met with a teen author and mental health advocate, Taanvi Arekapudi. She is the founder of Nexus, a mental health hub for schools! Check out the video below to learn more about how she’s making a positive difference in her community!

This month’s phone hack isn’t really for your phone but something our team has been loving lately! Raise your hand if you’ve heard of a CHALK BACK!

Our friends over at Catcalls of NYC started a grassroots initiative where chalk art is used to raise awareness about gender-driven street harassment. We gave it a twist and created some powerful messages all about digital wellness. So grab some sidewalk chalk, your friends, and get artsy!!!  

P.S. These amazing chalk-backs were from Day Two of Digital Civics Academy! More on it soon! 👀

But wait! We couldn’t end this without a nod to August’s anthem…such a classic. ✨

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read!…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @´ on all socials! 🤩

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

It’s Ally and Olivia. We hope you all have been enjoying your screen-free summer. #HalfTheStory has been BUSY these last few weeks preparing for our Digital Civics Academy, connecting with fellow youth organizations, and taking the big stage at ASPEN IDEAS⛰️(Check out our session here: Teens and Screens: The Unabating Scourge of Social Media).

We thought it would be fun to show you the behind-the-scenes of what a #HalfTheStory summer looks like, so get ready because we have a lot to talk about. 

🏛️ What’s Up With Our Digital Civics Academy?

Our applications for the Digital Civics Academy are now closed! Thank you to all of you who applied. We had SO many teens from all over the globe apply and our team is currently viewing all of your applications. Stay tuned! We’ll be announcing our inaugural cohort on July 15th! 

🎲 We Put The Play in “Play-Testing”!

Hi everyone! I'm Ahmed Othman, the Boston Teen Lead for #HalfTheStory. This past April and June, #HalfTheStory hosted two workshops for high schoolers to provide input on game design for our SocialMediaU high school curriculum. In April, the workshop was held at the Center for Nonprofits in Boston, MA, with 15 students participating in icebreakers, game testing, feedback sessions, and brainstorming original game ideas. In June, a workshop was held at Wellesley College, attended by 10 students from across Massachusetts and a team from Wellesley College. Students were split into groups to test games, provide feedback, and work on curriculum lessons. The day ended with wellness goodies like a Loftie Alarm Clock, HTS merch, and a stuffed animal giveaway. Through interacting with students I received nothing but good feedback and gratitude for the work HTS has done, and the paid opportunity the nonprofit provided for local teen leaders. HTS is continuing to innovate every day, so if you are located near the Boston area stay tuned for more opportunities!

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• Inside Out 2 - Almost 10 years later, the sequel to Inside Out was released this summer! This happy, heart-warming film has brought about many trends, some including the “graphing my emotions” trend and dressing up as the characters to see the movie!! 💛

• The 2024 Summer Olympics are starting in Paris this month!🇫🇷 🥐The Olympics are such a fun opportunity to gather with friends, watch some of your favorite athletes compete in your favorite events, and show some pride for your team! 🏅

• Should social media come with a warning label? 🏷️ U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently called for urgent action on the effect that social media has on young people’s mental health. Here’s what one of our teen advisors, Davida, has to say.

👎What’s Not:

• The phrase “Good Luck Finding My Waist” is trending on TikTok. 🤦‍♀️ What started as a joke about health/fitness influencers became another case of showing off under-eating or over-exercising. Creator @brielleybelly123, who frequently makes anti-diet culture videos, has made multiple comments on how this trend glamorizes and gives a platform to the competitive nature of eating disorders. We need to shift away from these harmful trends!

• “Brain rot”. “Chronically online”. “Extremely online”. 🧑‍💻 You may have heard these terms being thrown around, but what do they actually mean? 🤨

• What is going on on TikTok?! Great features but not good facial harmony?!!? One TikTok commenter expressed their confusion and concern, “NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FACIAL HARMONY?” and thankfully, dozens of other folks have shown their disapproval of this idea. This trend does nothing but make people over-analyze their features, harming them and their self-image in the process. That’s a big NO from us 👎.

If you can't tell, we talk a lot about digital wellness, but we also love championing youth leaders who are changing the world in their own ways. We met with James Crocker, a rising high school senior from Connecticut and the founder of Letters for Our Elders, to hear about his work and the power of intergenerational connections 💌.

Ally: Hi James! We’re so excited to learn more about your story. Why don’t you start by telling us about how you started your organization?

James: I founded Letters for Our Elders back in 2020 after my great-grandpa passed away in a senior home. He disliked all things online and instead opted to communicate with me via letters. After his passing, I began to write to his friends at the senior home. When more residents wanted to participate, I involved my friends, and Letters for Our Elders was born.

Ally: That’s amazing! What are some of the positive impacts you have seen since starting the organization, both for the seniors who receive letters and the teens who write the letters?

James: We’ve received some truly heartfelt responses from the seniors who have told us how much our letters impact them and why our work is so important. We have also heard from our teen volunteers that they have learned to feel more empathy and have improved their communication skills with letter writing and in-person conversations with the senior home residents. Something that they aren’t normally used to when texting or emailing online.

Ally: You’ve already had so much impact both in your hometown and across the U.S. How do you hope to expand or encourage others to do the same for their loved ones? 

James: Through our new “Connection starts with You!” campaign, we hope to encourage people to connect with their family members through non-traditional ways of communication like sending a letter or even a postcard from your summer vacation.

Ally: How can people get involved with LFOE?

James: You can go to lfoe.org/join-our-team to learn more!

On the advocacy front, one of our summer interns, Lucas Johnson, and our Program Associate, Daniella Ivanir, were recently in Washington D.C., convening with some leaders from awesome youth organizations including Design It For Us and Young People’s Alliance. Here’s a recap from Lucas’s POV on his day in the life as a #HTS Summer Intern 🏛️ 🌟.

Posting our summer memories on Instagram is OUT. Creating shared albums is IN. 📸 🎞️

This summer, let’s start creating shared albums with our friends and family where no picture is not “Instagram-worthy” but simply just a core memory! Create an album of the too many coffees we buy ☕️, cute dogs in your city 🐶, or even one with just the siblings🤗.

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read!…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

In case this is your first time reading, welcome to your monthly dose of digital wellness made for teens by teens. 🧠📱

This month, we have LOTS of things on the radar. From Pride Month🏳️‍🌈, to the launch of #HalfTheStory’s Summer Digital Civics Academy📝✨🏛️ . With summer right around the corner, that means more time to get outside, use your imagination, and make some memories, SCREEN-FREE!

Dive in! 🤿

We don’t know if you’ve heard or not but #HalfTheStory is officially launching our first-ever SUMMER DIGITAL CIVICS ACADEMY!!👩‍⚖️📝🏛️

This academy is a free, one-week course co-designed by youth, for youth that equips the next generation of activists with the skills to drive global and local change in digital wellness! Master effective activism, storytelling, and leadership techniques through hands-on learning and work with amazing speakers in the space.

💥 If you’re interested, application forms are due June 20th! Click here to apply now!

In honor of this launch, one of our youth leaders, Oliver, gave a sneak peek into one of the things you’ll be learning through this academy. How to read a bill! Schoolhouse Rock, anyone?

➡ BONUS: Download and save this chart which outlines the three steps you can use to decipher any bill!

Digital Civics Academy Application

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• My Mom at Age 20 vs Me – It’s totally normal to feel less accomplished than our parents. This trend involves people comparing themselves at their age to what their parents were doing. It is both super funny and a great reminder that it’s okay to not have everything figured out right now!

• Birds of a Feather - this TikTok trend comes from the new Billie Eilish song 🎶 where people show off and appreciate their close friendships👯. It’s a heartwarming, sweet way to show your BFFs some love! 💓

• In honor of June being Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️, we are highlighting one of our favorite LGBTQ+ creators! Frankie Gaw is a food writer and popular TikTok creator, who posts many recipes on his blog and TikTok, including a series where he recreates American classic meals with a Taiwanese twist. His content is inventive, fun, and refreshingly positive! Check out Frankie’s website to read his story and learn how to make some delicious recipes!

👎What’s Not:

• You may have heard Jojo Siwa claim herself as the founder of “gay pop”...Yeah. Although she did backtrack and say she doesn’t think she’s the first gay pop artist, just the creator of a new genre, there are dozens of other queer artists, who have been around for a long time, who beg to differ! 🎤

• As the weather gets warmer🏖️, more and more fitness influencers tell us how we need to change our bodies🤦‍♀️. Here’s Olivia with some REAL summer body tips.

• Even after the long SAG-AFTRA strike this year, artists’ voices are being used for AI. Scarlett Johansson wasn’t aware that a clone of her voice was being used for the new Chat GPT voice, Sky, until it was too late. She should NOT have to fight with Open AI for the right to her voice!!

As our founder Larz always says, “Teen work makes the DREAM WORK!”✊⚡️🚀. Well, a few of our teens were featured on AP News this past week! Check it out! ⬇️

• Bao Le, 18, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University on what he wishes he knew before getting on social media.

• Ahmed Othman, 17, from Massachusetts on taking a “middle ground” approach when it comes to the digital world.

Summertime means the weather is getting warmer😎! As you try to keep cool, your devices need to as well🥵! This is the summer of taking breaks and giving your phones a break too!

Here are a few fun ideas for you INSTEAD of screen-time this summer:

• Start a book club! 📚 Pick a book to read with some friends, so you can meet up and discuss it. It’s a super fun way to connect in person!

• Take a nature walk or hike! 🥾 There are so many beautiful sights around us that can be missed when we’re looking down at our phones. You may be surprised by a beautiful park in your city you didn’t know existed! 🦋🌳

• Cook up some fun summer recipes! 🧑‍🍳 Whether it be a fruit salad🍇, barbecue🍗, or ice cream🍦, summertime calls for some delicious food. Test your chef skills by making a new treat for your friends and family!

Before we leave, here are some important resources this Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

• The Trevor Project

• Hopelab x imi

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read!…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

We all have a unique mental health story and at #HalfTheStory, we are all about uncovering how technology impacts our mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s why our founder, Larz, started this org in the first place!

So as you scroll through this, take everything with a grain of salt and apply the tips and advice in whatever way suits you🫰.

But….before we dive in, let’s have a quick moment to celebrate the AMAZING things that #HalfTheStory has been a part of in the last month.

1. Our founder Larz was on Oprah!!! 👑

2. The #HalfTheStory team did a field trip in NYC!🗽🚕 More on this below!

3. Our awesome teen advisor, Ahmed, led a workshop in Boston where teens tested out some of our new curriculum…👀

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends and tips you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• We recently discovered a new app called Airbuds! 🎶 It’s a fun way to keep up with what you and your friends are listening to on all the streaming platforms 🎧📱 + you can also make it a widget!

• Candy Salad Trend: This trend has all the right things: fun, friends, and SUGAR!🍭 Whether it’s friends getting together, a sports team, or a club at school, people are having a great time making these sour candy salads on TikTok💜.

• 🔜🌞With summer approaching soon, do you think we should be posting our trips and outings in “real-time”? Here’s what teen advisor, Karina, has to say on this.

👎What’s Not:

• If you’re a high school senior, then senioritis is probably at an all-time-high📈. Not to mention, if college is next for you, the struggle of making friends and finding roommates is REAL. Here’s a little food for thought from Ally.

• Have you all seen the new Instagram update?! If you go to your search bar🔎, it now says, Meta AI. We’re pretty sure no one asked for it…though if we’re being positive, maybe it’s a way to keep some of us off our phones??

• Coachella, Coachella, Coachella 🎡. It’s the famous music festival that comes around every year, but did you know that what you see on your Instagram feed might not even be the full story?

  ---

This month is all about shining a light on mental health and opening up the floor for individuals to share their stories. Better yet, using social media as a tool to facilitate these important conversations. Here’s a little message from Ally!

A few weeks ago, I attended a two-day conference hosted by the Responsible Tech Youth Power Fund in New York City! At this conference, I was surrounded by bright minds, all passionate about making the world a better place. Throughout many conversations, I learned two things.

1. Mental Health & Intergenerational Change. As we mentioned earlier, everyone has a unique journey when it comes to mental health. That’s why it’s incredibly important that we hear from all sides of the story. By learning about our parents’ and grandparents’ perspectives on mental health to our younger siblings’ or peers points of view, we can expand our own viewpoints and realize that maybe we aren’t so alone in this fight.

2. We Need More Spaces That Support Young People! I feel that this is something we say a lot but there isn’t enough ACTION. Similarly to the idea above, something that stuck with me is the idea of “time and treasure.” This means adults sharing their time to hear what youth have to say and putting money where their mouth is…

All that being said, I encourage you all to take a few moments to think about the mental health space in your communities. Where do we need support and how can we all contribute to a brighter future this month and beyond? (Share your thoughts and be entered in a giveaway for a $30 gift card!)

MINDFULNESS🧘🏽‍♀️🌱One of the most important things you can practice as a young person. We’ve all used plenty of apps like Calm or Headspace but here’s a cool recommendation our team has been loving.

The app is called Eden! It sends you affirmations throughout the day and includes guided meditations featured within the app 🙏🕊️.

Why we approve: You can save any affirmations that you love or find helpful and revisit them whenever you’d like!

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read!…subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Subscribe now

Share In The Loop by #HalfTheStory

This month’s edition is all about artificial intelligence, better known as AI. More specifically, what the teens think about it.

AI is something that is becoming more and more prevalent in our everyday routines and it’s about time we discuss how it’s really impacting our lives.

Turns out, it can be used for both good and bad. Keep scrolling to see what we mean and for a fun surprise!

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👇

🔥What’s Hot:

• What’s The “Rich Girl” Trend? 💸 Have you seen those TikTok’s where people have been posting videos with the song “Rich Girl” by Hall & Oates and listing things like family, friends, hobbies, etc. that make them rich in ways other than money!? We love this trend because it promotes gratitude and self-love.

• Fan Edits!!! 🎥💖 We know you went through that phase in middle school creating edits of your favorite Disney Channel show…They are a super creative side of the internet and keep us entertained without being problematic (for the most part).

• AI that detects cyberbullying?? ➡️ Check out Gitanjali Rao’s Kindly, an app integration that uses machine learning to detect cyberbullying in messages 💌. Test it out here!

👎What’s Not:

• DEEP FAKES! 🎭 We know they’re an issue, but it turns out that these deep fakes are hurting the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election. Our teen advisor, Nina, shares her thoughts here.

• 📱🚫 Social Media Bans Galore…The past month has been FILLED with talks about social media bans left and right. First, the U.S. House passed a bill to ban TikTok. Not ringing a bell? Check out this 60-second explanation from Oliver.

  • Last week, Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis passed a bill that could ban social

    media from kids under 14. What will this mean?

💥We want to hear from YOU! Fill out this quick survey to share your thoughts on these bans and be entered into a giveaway for a $30 gift card!

It feels like AI is everywhere nowadays and there are a lot of mixed opinions on it. However, we want to hear what the teens think, so we interviewed Zenia Rehan, one of our teen advisors, about AI.

Ally: Hey Zenia! Thanks for joining me! My first question is are you currently using AI and if so, how?

Zenia: I like to use AI such as ChatGPT as a source of inspiration. For example, when brainstorming ideas for a workshop, I might turn to AI to help me develop a few ideas. Most of the time, none of the ideas are ones I find interest in, but they help me get my brain running and could be used as a foundation to expand on. Another way I like to use AI is to straighten out my thoughts. This could mean asking it to find me the perfect word to describe a situation, or ensuring that my writing is clear enough to understand.

Ally: That’s awesome! What would you say are the pros and cons?

Zenia: The pros of AI, as mentioned earlier, are that it can help smoothen out your thinking process in both the starting and editing phases of any project. I think this can also be a con, however, since I feel as though relying too heavily on AI may be affecting my creativity. I believe it is important that we take the time to brainstorm and edit on our own before turning to AI.

Ally: Now, as we know, a lot of the dialogue around this topic is happening among adults. What are adults telling you about AI?

Zenia: I have gotten a lot of mixed messaging about AI from adults. While some share their excitement about its potential, many critique its tendency to make students lazy. The latter is an argument quite often brought up in a school environment where teachers have to worry about the authenticity of their students’ assignments.

Ally: I can agree with that. There’s definitely a lot to unpack. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us!

This April, #HalfTheStory did a Spring Digital Dustoff Challenge on our Instagram! Here is one of the challenges:

We spend a lot of time behind a screen 💻. It’s unavoidable most times. But that doesn’t mean our digital spaces shouldn’t be productive! 📝

Our fav way to do this…the Freedom App! You can create time-limited blocklists, listen to calming sound effects and music, and even read some tips about maximizing productivity right on the app! 🕺👏

Do yourself a favor and turn on Do Not Disturb🌙, block all distractions🤳, and get some work done📈!

We couldn’t end this edition without mentioning Olivia Rodrigo’s newest releases! If you haven’t heard them yet, RUN! It’s about time we all start entering our healing era…

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read! …subscribe…we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

P.S. Don’t forget to fill out the survey to get a chance to win a $30 gift card!

Subscribe now

You might recognize us from the #HalfTheStory Instagram or TikTok

People are always asking - HOW DO THE TEENS FEEL? - SO… we decided to create this newsletter to keep you IN THE LOOP on the latest trends, challenges, and teen POV on the rapidly changing digital world! 

This month, we’re covering all things ✨SPRING CLEANING✨. If the photo below looks familiar…you might want to keep reading… 👀 IYKYK.

At #HalfTheStory, we look at both sides of the internet, so here are the latest trends you should know and who knows…maybe watch out for 👆

🔥What’s Hot:

• #HalfTheStory is #trending! We love seeing everyone on TikTok saying social media isn't real. That’s what we’ve been saying since 2014! 🔥

• #hopecore - A reminder that there is beauty in the little things🌷, even when we feel overwhelmed and unsure. 

• De-influencing…influencing?! Ana Wolferman has been opening up about the struggles of being a full-time influencer and the shift towards pursuing a corporate career. Is the influencer ERA officially OVER?

👎What’s Not:

• Pilates Body isn't real! - 🙄*sigh* another TikTok trend encouraging young women to change their bodies riddled with misinformation. 

• Glamorizing the “1950s housewife”? 🍪✨ You’ve probably seen videos from creators like Nara Smith, and while their content is certainly intriguing, is it inspirational or simply unattainable?

• 💄10-year olds are taking over Sephora…and GRWM videos. But it turns out they aren’t doing themselves…

Overwhelmed by 200 apps on your phone? We know the feeling. 

You can delete them all at once by setting your iPhone to remove unused apps, freeing up memory automatically. Poof! 🪄

Here’s how:

>> Settings

>> App Store

>> Press the indicator next to "Offload Unused Apps" to turn the function on or off.

TBH…we’re tired of brands incessantly targeting Gen Z online. It may be crucial to think twice before Temu sways you. Why? Temu is the internet's discount aisle where you can find things at incredibly low prices. Time Magazine reports that Temu has a reputation for undelivered packages, strange charges on credit cards, items that don't match their description, and slow customer service. This certainly doesn't sound like a great shopping experience! The Better Business Bureau rates businesses based on customer complaints and gives Temu a poor rating due to over 30 complaints. Not a good sign!

So, before you click ‘Add to Cart’, here are three tips that may help:

• Read Reviews! It is important to read reviews before making a purchase. 

• Don't be swayed by fancy ads or staged influencer photos. Real people's experiences are worth more than those of paid influencers. 

• Cheaper does not always equal better. It's smarter to shop smarter than just going for the cheapest option. You can find sustainable brands, second-hand items, or even DIY projects that can be cooler and more ethical than questionable bargains. 

The next time you’re attracted to Temu’s cheap prices, remember that it’s better to be a smart shopper than to be a victim of the latest online hype. After all, nobody wants to have a shopping experience that becomes a meme for all the wrong reasons.

Why Does AI Know More About Healthy Tech Habits Than We Do?

@halfthestoryIs #GeminiAI actually trying to promote positive tech use?! #ai #chatgpt #google #tech #greenscreen

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

Thanks for scrolling along with us! Don’t leave us on read! …subscribe…we’ll be back soon! In the meantime, stay 'In The Loop’ daily by keeping up with us @halfthestory on all socials! 🤩

Subscribe now