The power of productive struggle

This flyer from the Brookings Institution provides parents and caregivers with practical strategies to help children aged 10–14 develop resilience and persistence when using generative AI tools. It emphasizes that while AI can offer quick answers, it often leads to “easy button” thinking that can undermine a child’s willingness to work through difficult problems. To counter this, the guide encourages families to set goals for AI use, treat AI mistakes as learning opportunities, and celebrate the process of learning rather than just the final output.

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brookings_Persistence-Through-Challenges-A_Flyer_DIGITAL.pdf

YouTube is adding new parental controls

 YouTube is adding new parental controls that let you set daily time limits or block access entirely for kids watching Shorts on supervised accounts.

YouTube Safety Update: New Parental Controls for Teens - YouTube Blog
https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/updates-youtube-supervised-accounts-teens/

The rise of deepfake cyberbullying

The rise of deepfake cyberbullying poses a growing problem for schools - ABC News 
Schools are facing a growing problem of students using artificial intelligence to transform innocent images of classmates into sexually explicit deepfakes. The fallout from the spread of the manipulated photos and videos can create a nightmare for the victims.

The challenge for schools was highlighted this fall when AI-generated nude images swept through a Louisiana middle school. Two boys ultimately were charged, but not before one of the victims was expelled for starting a fight with a boy she accused of creating the images of her and her friends.

Read more:
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/rise-deepfake-cyberbullying-poses-growing-problem-schools-128611470

Common Sense Media: The 2025 Rewind

This year, parents came to Common Sense Media looking for something more than just “good movies for kids” or “age-appropriate content.” You were searching for stories that teach integrity. Movies that model empathy. Shows that demonstrate what good teamwork really looks like. 

Best Family Movies, Shows & Books of 2025 | Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/best-of-2025

OpenAI’s Teen Safety Blueprint, and What AI Platforms Should Do Next

Read the full article:

OpenAI’s Teen Safety Blueprint, and What AI Platforms Should Do Next -
https://cyberbullying.org/open-ai-teen-safety-blueprint-takeaways

Australian social media ban aims to 'save teens from predatory algorithms'.

Australia is implementing a new law to prevent children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts, with enforcement beginning on December 10, 2025. The government's Communications Minister, Anika Wells, has been a leading advocate for the legislation, arguing it will protect young people from the harmful content and addictive algorithms found on social media platforms. 

Australian social media ban aims to 'save teens from predatory algorithms'. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Gdsfz_te1Q4 

More information here: Communications Minister Anika Wells speaks about the social media ban at Press Club | ABC NEWS - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DCZAZy9jO4

What's Happening in Boys' Digital Worlds

A new study from Common Sense Media just dropped some eye-opening findings about how adolescent boys are navigating masculinity online. As a researcher and a parent of two adolescent boys, I have a personal stake in helping boys understand that there are multiple ways to be a man, not just a narrow version promoted in social media feeds and gaming communities. Some of the findings about what's happening with boys in digital spaces confirmed my own observations, and others surprised me. But it all has implications for your classroom too, where you may see impacts from a wide range of influencers. 

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/boys-in-the-digital-wild-online-culture-identity-and-well-being