It’s Ally and Olivia, and however you got here, WELCOME! We are SO happy you are here 🥰. You may have noticed we’ve been less active with In The Loop, but don’t worry, because lots of things are in the works…
This month, we’re diving into everything (or at least the important stuff) from:
The USC Speak Your Mind Challenge (ifykyk, and if not we’ll tell you!)🧊🧊
Why we LOVE Pinterest 📌
And lots of fun #HTS updates ✌️
Take care of your mental health this month (and always) and keep reading!
🫶 Our Team Met Melinda French Gates! 🫶
A few weeks ago, our team touched down in Nashville to meet with an amazing group of Girls Inc. teens. We are especially grateful that the incredible Melinda French Gates got the chance to join us and learn more about the work that #HalfTheStory and Girls Inc. are doing. Check out the recap here!
✊Apply For Digital Civics Academy 2025! ✊
If you or anyone you know is 15-21 and looking for summer plans, look no further! Applications for the 2025 Digital Civics Academy are LIVE, and you can APPLY NOW until May 15th. From July 21st-25th, join us for a 1-week immersive experience that equips you with tools to influence policies shaping our digital future. This year’s cohort will be held virtually, with optional in-person field trips in our key cities: NYC, SF, DC, and LA. We can’t wait to meet you!! Any questions? Reach out to daniella@halfthestoryproject.com!
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:
Almost forgot that this was the whole point…is a TikTok trend that we hope is here to stay. 🌱 It is all about grounding yourself in the present moment and a reminder that we just need to s l o w d o w n. Take three deep breaths, go on a sunset walk, or make some tea! After all, it is Digital Wellness Day today!
We love Pinterest. 📌 That’s all there is to say. Earlier last week, Pinterest announced that they’re testing a new pop-up that encourages users ages 13-17 to close the app and mute notifications during the school day. This is a HUGE step and we need all Big Tech to follow suit, please and thank you 😌
[Also…did you know #HTS has a Pinterest? Explore our boards on digital wellbeing here!]
BONUS: We can’t publish this edition without mentioning the USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge that has taken off on social media and is raising awareness for mental health! 🧊 Nora gives a quick rundown of the challenge here!
👎What’s Not:
What’s up with influencers telling us we should be thin and “conventionally attractive”?? 🤷♀️ Over the past few months, there has been a huge rise in anti-feminist media, particularly driven by creators like Brett Cooper and Candace Owens, that promotes a return to traditional femininity. If there’s one thing we want to comment on, it’s the fact that this content is preying on the loneliness epidemic facing young people, and from what we’ve seen in the past, pushing narrow views of womanhood could have extremely detrimental effects down the road.
Meta AI should say goodbye👋. A recent article in the WSJ talks about how Meta’s AI chatbots on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook are encouraging users, especially young children, to engage in “romantic role-play”. While the mental and emotional impacts of chatbots are still widely unknown, it is clear that engaging with them is incredibly risky.
#HalfTheStory is proud to announce that our very own Larz and Nina will be featured at the 6th Annual Digital Wellness Day Summit on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM PST!
This panel will cover “Flourishing in a Digital World”, where Larz, Nina, and others will discuss using tech with intention, protecting your mental health, and creating tech habits that support your wellbeing in a wired world.
As the 2024-25 school year comes to a close and graduations are sneaking up, teen advisor and creator, Gwen Purnell, shares a message for the seniors (you can check out the written version on Teen Feed too!). 🎓🫶
Have you watched Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencers on Netflix?! In 2018, a group of kidfluencers known as “The Squad” went viral on YouTube for their vlogs and collaborative skit videos. This 3-part investigative Netflix docuseries follows the risky rise to internet stardom and details the manipulation and exploitation that went into this. It’s an insightful watch and raises awareness about the dangers of kidfluencing! ⚠️
Don’t forget to apply for the Digital Civics Academy! And share this op with all the teens in your life!✌️
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! 🤩
