We Think The World Needs More OfflineMaxxing
Craft carts, Instagram's privacy update, 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!
Hey In The Loop readers and happy Mental Health Awareness Month! It’s Ally & Olivia, reminding you to take some time for yourself today (and everyday) to unplug and take a break.
In this month’s edition:
Announcing our Digital Civics Academy speaker lineup*
Students are bringing back what college is actually for…socializing
Spring means it’s time to go through your phone and declutter
Shape The Future of Tech With Us!
In case you missed it, we extended the application for the Digital Civics Academy! Our one-week virtual advocacy masterclass is happening July 20-24 and we want YOU there. We are giving you first access to incredible leaders across tech, media, and mental health, including Alyson Stoner (who you may know from Disney Channel hits like Camp Rock), to Kristie Chon-Flynn, the Chief Privacy Officer at Google. Plus, if you’re based in NYC, DC, LA, or SF, stay tuned for exciting field trip announcements later this spring.
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:
If college isn’t about the people you meet, then what is it for? That’s why students across the country are finding ways to bring back socializing! In New York City, there’s NYU IRL which strives to encourage a student-led culture shift and the idea of “Collective effervescence”. UC Berkeley students helped create a 450-student class about limiting technology and Project Reboot which hosts screen-free activities from hikes to a playing volleyball.
Does your school have a crafting cart? Two of our Teen Tech Council members, Jack and Addison, launched a craft cart at their high school after realizing many of their peers weren’t able to take an art class due to budget cuts. Stay tuned for a special behind the scenes of how they’re building a culture of digital wellness through board games and art materials to their community.
Jack and Addison at work! Courtesy of CBS6 Albany A new study from JAMA suggests that suicide rates among teens and young adults have declined since the creation of 988. While the study doesn’t prove that 988 is the direct cause of this decline, the data is an indicator that 988 has led to increased investment and resources for crisis care! If you or someone you know is in need of care, call or text 988 or chat online to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.
👎What’s Not:
As of last Friday, Meta has turned off end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in Instagram direct messages, meaning Meta will now be able to access your chats. They claim it’s due to low usage rates, however, EE2E is still available on WhatsApp and Messenger. We’ll be on the lookout for what this means for privacy and safety on Instagram but for now, be mindful of how you’re using DMs!
“How to get a better jawline” is one of the many questions that young men and boys are asking the internet and it’s part of a larger trend known as looksmaxxing. Most recently, peptides have entered into the conversation. These are a type of GLP-1 drug that’s currently non-FDA approved and only used for research purposes. It sold through “an online gray market” and promises young men and boys as young as 13 a “physical transformation” and the ultimate face card. While this is a nuanced issue that doesn’t have a clear cut solution, we encourage you to talk to any young men in your life and see what they think about this!
2026 is the year of analog…or so they say.
Brand strategist Eugene Healey wrote a great piece on why the “analog revival” we were all excited about isn’t really one at all. While we were obsessing over people’s analog bags, junk journals, and the aesthetic of being offline, most of us never actually logged off. Offline is a luxury and in order to actually cultivate human connection, we need systemic change, and we need it now.
In need of some good news? Jacob Simon shares what is going right in the world across social platforms, spreading positivity at a time where things may feel bleak. Check out this video where John breaks down “Ten Things That Went Right” in April 2026! ⬇️👏💖
It’s never too late for Spring Cleaning!! 🌱🧹
You can save storage and declutter both your screen and your digital world by deleting or offloading unused apps. There are two ways to do this! Your most unused apps will be removed, but all of your data will be saved incase you need it. 😉
You can get there through the App Store and iPhone Storage settings on your device, and it’s a quick easy fix to save your brainpower!
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! 🤩
