The Summer Olympic Games will kick off this month in Paris, returning to its traditional four-year Olympic cycle after the 2020 Summer Games were postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. From the torch relay to the closing ceremonies, together we'll witness the world's greatest athletes pursue their long-awaited dreams in familiar sports like gymnastics, track and field, and swimming — alongside newer additions such as breakdancing, which makes its Olympic debut this year. Even if we can't travel to Paris in person, we can get close to the action. In guidelines released earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee encouraged athletes to share their Olympic journey with fans on their social platforms — from life in the Olympic Village to the opening and closing ceremonies and even their competition venues up to one hour before they start their competition. What a thrill to have backstage access from athletes' points of view during one of the most exciting and high-pressure days of their lives!

For the past four years, our team at The Social Institute has polled students across the nation on how they are navigating social media and tech and how it impacts their well-being. Our 2024 Student Insights Report features insights from more students than ever before: 29,000 students participated in our Annual Student Survey and more than one million responses were collected through our K-12 learning platform, #WinAtSocial.

In the age of clickbait and viral videos, it’s nearly impossible to shield our students’ eyes from the wave of distressing and violent content, especially when social media platforms become stages for harrowing global events. While online content, whether from known sources or shared by friends, influences us all, it can be especially intense for the younger generation trying to make sense of their world.

For Generation Z, who spend nearly as much time consuming media as they do attending classes at school, social media is simply being social. Social apps, texting, and gaming are where students hang out with friends, build relationships, stay informed, find inspiration, explore interests, follow role models, make purchases, and connect across borders and cultures.

According to a study by Pew Research Center, 70 percent of teens say anxiety and depression is a “major problem” among their peers. In my work helping students navigate social media positively, I collaborate with students nationwide and hear about their daily challenges with tech and social experiences, both online and off.

At The Social Institute, we believe most students are ahead of the curve when it comes to social media and technology. That’s why we huddle with students across the country to empower them to navigate their social world – including social media and technology – positively. This proactive, student-led approach not only benefits the students but also empowers faculty and strengthens school communities.

In my work helping students across the country navigate social media, I’ve heard from tens of thousands of tweens and teens directly about how they are using social media on a daily basis.

If I could convey one important concept to parents about students and social media, it would be to drop that last word -- “media” -- from your mindset. Social media is simply how students today socialize.

When it comes to social media, parents and educators need to team up -- much like driving