Picture this. A 14year-old sits hunched over her desk at 11 p. m.Headphones on, staring at the screen. Her parents peak through the door, shaking their heads. She's always on that phone, they whisper, distracted, unmotivated.But maybe, just maybe, the very thing we fear is what's keeping her curious. Here's what they don't see. She's not scrolling mindlessly.She's in a virtual study group collaborating with peers across the city on a psychology project about emotional regulation. She's using digital mind ma ...

Social Connection & Learning - Social connection improves well-being and learning, with the quality of relationships being the greatest predictor of long-term health and happiness [9] - Social connection increases resilience and decreases anxiety, leading to more engaged and motivated students [10] - Students feeling a sense of belonging in connection with their peers are more engaged and motivated in learning and ultimately learn more [10] The Decline of Social Connection - Since 2010, the amount of time people spend with their friends has decreased almost every year [12] - Teenagers today spend less than half the amount of time with their friends compared to their parents' generation [12] - The amount of students claiming they have no close friendships has quadrupled in the last generation, with 28% of young Gen Z adult men reporting no close friendships [13] The Role of Educators - Great teachers of the future will provide social emotional learning and support to students and utilize AI to personalize and maximize learning [7] - Teachers can intentionally create experiences that help students connect with one another [5] - Teachers can facilitate friendship by creating environments and social interactions that make social connection more likely, such as grouping students for challenging activities and encouraging conversations about values and challenges [18][19] AI and the Future of Education - The AI revolution is predicted to dramatically change the teaching profession over the next 10 years [6] - There's a risk that increased efficiency from AI could lead to students spending more time with AI tutors and less with peers, potentially raising a generation less capable of navigating social and emotional complexities [26] - The efficiency brought on by AI could free up time for teachers to focus on human connection [27]