Are We All Starting to Sound The Same?
Join us this summer and shape the future of tech on YOUR terms, the phone-free movement, and more!
In The Loop is a monthly newsletter, managed and written by the teens who make up #HalfTheStory. Whether you’re a teen yourself, parent, educator, or someone who just wants to know what’s happening in the world of digital wellness, you’re in the right place!
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! ⬇️
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.
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! 🤩
