A lot can change when you head off to college, including new routines, new friendships, and even your relationship with technology. Our #GoodforMEdia Youth Leader, Edward, reflects on his first year of college and how it shifted his digital habits. From navigating club communications to feeling the pressure of being “always online,” Edwards shares how he finds balance between staying connected and protecting his mental well-being.

A recent court ruling raised key questions about artificial intelligence (AI), specifically chatbots, and how responsible these platforms should be, including how far free speech protections should go. In our latest blog, #GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders weigh in on what this case could mean for the future of AI regulation and youth safety online.

School’s out and summer break is here! Whether you’re figuring out how to spend your extra free time or feeling a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) as friends head off on big adventures, our #GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders are here to support you. They’re sharing tips to help you unplug, try new things, and enjoy a summer that feels good, whatever that looks like for you, both on and offline. Check out the blog and get involved with our Digital Days of Summer Challenge!

In this blog, Chloe reflects on the hidden challenges of growing up with social media, highlighting what they wish they knew before using the platforms. From the pressure to fit in to the constant cycle of comparison, Chloe shares the impact these platforms have had on their mental health and what strategies they’ve developed to use social media more intentionally.

AI companion chatbots are becoming increasingly available to minors, despite the growing risks they pose, including sharing harmful advice and fostering unhealthy codependencies. Discover what #GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders have to say about how these tools should be handled to ensure the safety of young people.

We know that tech and social media affect youth mental health but simply telling young people to log off and avoid using these platforms is not fair or realistic. That’s why #GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders are redefining their relationship with the media, finding ways to protect their wellbeing while staying connected.  Check out their insights and strategies which anyone can try!

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, lawmakers are being pressed to answer a key question:  who should and shouldn’t regulate AI? With the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the possibility of blocking states from regulating AI for the next decade raises major concerns. Our #GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders weigh in on what its passing could mean for AI innovation, accountability, and online safety.

Have you been trapped by an echo chamber? In this blog, Reese shares her experience with algorithm-driven recommendations and echo chambers and how it impacted her mental health. New to these terms? Dive into this blog post to learn more and discover ways to take back control of your feed.

Schools are beginning to use surveillance technologies on school-issued laptops to flag mental health and safety concerns—but students are speaking out about the harm these tools can cause. From the lack of transparency to invasion of privacy, our #GoodforMEdia youth leaders are asking: Is it really worth it? Read their full thoughts.

In this blog post, Lukas describes the problematic portrayal of masculinity on social media, particularly within fitness culture. Lukas walks us through the standards posed on young men and the solutions he and his peers have developed in order to combat this. Read more here.

After a 6-month long social media detox, Katy reflects on the learnings she gained through this journey. Katy notes the opportunity to experience time away from notifications and the constant hum of information, leading her into a more intentional relationship with social media. Read more here.

This poem delves into a young person’s relationship with social media, using the metaphor of a thief. Dive into this incredibly powerful piece and reflect on your own experience with social media.

Design It For Us, a youth-led coalition fighting for key policy reforms to protect kids, teens, and young adults online, recently announced their Declaration of Digital Rights to share how young people envision a better future with the digital world. Read the full declaration and join us in our commitment to these digital rights.

Big news! Last Tuesday, Meta announced they’re stopping the use of third-party fact-checkers on their platforms. Instead, they will rely on users to rate posts and add context to them. What do you think of this change? Check out what the #GoodforMEdia youth advisors have to say!

Now a days when scrolling through our social media feeds, it can be difficult to pin point misinformation. With the expansion of artificial intelligence platforms, Sophie provides tips & strategies to carefully analyze the content we consume. Read more here.

Are you aware of the environmental impact of AI tools like ChatGPT? Whether you're asking for help with a homework question or proofreading an email, the energy required to generate responses is immense! While the exact impact is hard to measure, researchers estimate the surprising amount of water and power ChatGPT uses. Check out #GoodforMEdia’s youth reactions!

Did you hear? Instagram is rolling out a new feature that lets you reset your content suggestions. Set to launch globally (soon), this update will give young people more control over what they see. Check out what the #GoodforMEdia team thinks about this exciting new feature!

Did you see Australia has approved a social media ban for youth under 16? Set to take effect in 12 months, this decision raises many questions about its implementation and the potential impact on youth privacy and social connections. Read what our #GoodforMEdia youth leaders think about this new law and whether it’s something they’d like to see adopted in the United States.

On Friday, August 16 #GoodforMEdia hosted its first ever Maker Day event. This special event invited young people, ages 13-22, to come together and share about the ways they navigate the online world. Discover how youth got involved and the key takeaways from this event!

How often do you find yourself questioning the origins of the content on your feed? In her blog piece, Jessica shares about her journey navigating social media content in the age of AI. She states that there aren't enough tools and guidance for young people growing up alongside emerging AI platforms. Read more here.