What Happens When We Let Teens Lead? Come See for Yourself

🚨Don’t Miss the #UnderPressureCohort Showcase! 🚨

On June 25, meet 10 groundbreaking innovators redefining digital wellbeing for teens. They’re tackling:

Healthy social media habits

Digital resilience

Offline connection

And so much more…

📅 Date: June 25, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET
🔗 Register now: bit.ly/UPCShowcase

Whether you’re a parent, educator, advocate, or just someone who cares about youth wellbeing, this is your chance to discover actionable solutions—because young people deserve a future where technology serves them, not the other way around.

Young Futures Community,

In my last letter I talked about my 8-year-old daughter’s first (short) experiment using AI for a school assignment—and in the weeks since the AI story has continued to bubble up in so many corners of my life. As my 10-year-old son prepares to start middle school 😳, I’ve heard directly from teachers and administrators there on just how much support is needed in handling AI in the classroom. I’ve heard from parents and caregivers who, when it comes to AI, range from confused to supportive to vehemently against.

Young people are sponging up all of these varying perspectives, trying to make sense of it all. To help young people navigate the age of AI, one thing is clear: we could all use some help, too.

The good news is there are so many people extending their hands. Take the Center for Digital Thriving’s Graidients, for example, a new digital tool (which I’m obsessed with!) that helps teachers grapple with appropriate vs. inappropriate AI use for school assignments by letting students lead the conversation.

Or look to one of our Under Pressure grantees, The Rithm Project, leading the way in equipping young people to rebuild and evolve human connection in the age of AI. Last week, Rithm hosted their 2nd annual gathering, the Human Connection + AI Summit, bringing together—brilliantly—a collection of perspectives to wrestle with a set of questions that, as our very own Kristine Gloria wrote in her recap just this morning, have no right answers.

While AI may be coming at us fast, the end of the school year is coming even faster, and the weight of it is everywhere.

Parents, caregivers, educators: I see you.

You’re juggling finals and graduations, trying to plan a summer that will be meaningful and restful, while also preparing for the chaos that ensues when predictable schedules go out the window. You’re holding space for teens navigating pressures we never knew at their age...future plans, perfect transcripts, and the exhausting expectation to perform, online and off.

We see the teens too. Stretched between always-on friendships, social lives that feel more curated than real, and the quiet guilt of not doing “enough” for a world in crisis. All while moving through a digital landscape that reflects, and sometimes distorts, who they are.

You’re not imagining it. It’s a lot. But you’re not alone.

Here’s the good news: hope isn’t just possible, it’s already in motion.

By young people leading with vision and voice.

By educators who are rethinking school culture.
By families, nonprofits, researchers, and yes, by all of us at Young Futures. We’re here to lift up the good work, connect the dots, and help this movement grow.

We’re on it, together.

Warmly,
Katya Hancock
CEO, Young Futures

Take a peek at the YF Innovators you'll meet at the showcase!

Young Futures in the News

May 21, LinkedIn Article, YF’s COO, Kristine Gloria, reflects on her transformative experience at the our YFI Michelle Culver and the The Rithm Project’s Human Connection + AI Summit, where leaders grappled with the tension between technology and human relationships. Amid immersive experiences—from AI-extended consciousness to somatic exercises—Kristine confronted urgent questions: Why prioritize human connection in an AI-driven world? What is lost when we trade messy, meaningful interactions for frictionless AI companionship? She argues that struggle isn’t a glitch but a vital part of learning and bonding, urging adults to model curiosity, not fear, as teens navigate these tools. With young people demanding bolder leadership, Kristine hints at our upcoming open funding challenge to co-create solutions that center youth voices—because the future of AI must be shaped with them, not just for them.

May 20, LinkedIn Article, YF’s CEO, Katya Hancock, tackles the heated debate around school phone policies, arguing that strict bans often miss the mark by sidelining youth voices and failing to address the real issue: how to make disconnecting feel rewarding, not restrictive. Highlighting youth-led solutions like NoSo (founded by YFI Maddie Freeman) and Lookupp (founded by YFI Samin Bhan), alongside Pinterest’s ethical tech nudge, Katya shows how the most effective policies blend behavioral science, peer incentives, and student agency—proving that when young people help design the rules, engagement soars. From NoSo’s digital detox challenges to Lookupp’s reward-based "phone-free zones," these innovators reveal a path forward: trust teens as partners, not problems. Because the goal isn’t just to limit screens—it’s to redesign school environments where focus and connection thrive.

May 12, YouTube Video, Masterclass Video Series, features EOS Implementer and strategic planning expert Preston True unveiling a science-backed framework for effective goal-setting. Learn why most leaders fail with vague objectives and how to implement the 3-1-90 Rule—breaking vision into actionable 3-year, 1-year, and 90-day milestones. Discover critical tools like the Full Focus Planner and Ninety.io to maintain accountability, plus how to avoid "Visionary Whiplash" that derails progress. This masterclass is essential for leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams ready to replace guesswork with a proven system for execution.

Young Futures Innovators in the News

Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovator Larissa May of #HalfTheStory is championing digital wellness for teens with their groundbreaking National Screen-Free Prom Campaign. This innovative initiative partners directly with teens to promote meaningful, device-free connections during one of high school’s most memorable nights. By encouraging students to ditch their phones and embrace the moment, the campaign tackles the growing issue of screen overuse with youth-led solutions. Recognized among this year's Entreprenista’s 100 Trail-Blazing Women Entrepreneurs, May continues to redefine how young people engage with technology—one event at a time.

Under Pressure Cohort YF Innovator Juliana Lozano of Despierta has been selected as a 2025 Aspen Ideas Festival Fellow, where she will bring her groundbreaking mental health advocacy to the conversations with global leaders shaping the future. As the founder of Despierta, her work empowers marginalized communities, bridging gaps in mental health access and inspiring transformative change.

Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovator Niobe Way of agapi.teens was featured in The New York Times for her groundbreaking work addressing the crisis of boys and young men falling behind emotionally and academically. Through her book Rebels With a Cause, she champions boys' emotional resilience, helping them reclaim their sense of self-worth in a culture that often misunderstands their struggles. Her research and advocacy provide a roadmap for parents and educators to support boys in thriving, not just surviving.

Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovator Domenico Ruggerio of We Are Family (WAF) is creating a lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth with their new North Charleston community center, offering free counseling, peer support, and inclusive programming. This safe haven combats isolation and empowers young people to thrive in a welcoming, affirming space.

Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovator Tony Weaver Jr. of Weird Enough is empowering teens through his graphic novel Weirdo, which tackles mental health with engaging storytelling and relatable characters. By blending comics with emotional resilience strategies, Weaver helps young readers embrace their uniqueness and overcome social anxiety.

Spotlight on Youth Voices

Gabby Burke, a 17-year-old navigating the chaotic world of Gen Z dating, dives into this existential dilemma in her candid Teen Vogue op-ed, Is Teen Romance Dead? I'm Sick of Snapchat Situationships. With sharp wit and raw vulnerability, Burke unpacks how social media has warped relationships into performative spectacles—where love is measured in streaks, not sincerity. She rejects the pressure to conform, refusing to trade real connection for hollow online validation, yet admits to the loneliness of being a romantic outlier in a world obsessed with digital dalliances. From dissecting the absurdity of "talking stages" to calling out the fear of being labeled "cringe," Burke’s voice resonates with teens tired of half-baked romance. Her conclusion? Teen love isn’t dead—it’s just drowning in DMs. And until we ditch the scripts and embrace messy, real-life vulnerability, authentic connection might stay stuck on delivered.

What We’re Reading (& Watching)

AI’s development still depends on all of us (The Boston Globe, May 14)

Governors address youth mental health and well-being amid federal funding cuts (Brookings, May 13)

The effect of ChatGPT on students’ learning performance, learning perception, and higher-order thinking: insights from a meta-analysis (Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, May 6)

The Trial by Lingokids | Putting #ScreenTimeGuilt on Trial ⚖️ (YouTube, May 5)

The Rise of the ‘Crunchy Teen’ Wellness Influencer (The New York Times, May 5)

Talking to Teens

Friends of YF

The Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab at Wellesley College is back with its 2025 Summer Workshop Series, offering middle schoolers a chance to reimagine social media through creativity, STEM, and digital well-being! Whether you join virtually (June 23-27) or in-person (July 21), you’ll collaborate with peers, learn from experts, and even prototype your own solutions for healthier online spaces. Past participants have redesigned algorithms for body positivity, built mindfulness tools into apps, and left with boosted confidence—now it’s your turn! With guest speakers like TIME Innovator Gitanjali Rao and Harvard’s Emily Weinstein, plus mentorship from Wellesley College students, these workshops blend cutting-edge research with hands-on fun. Ready to design a better digital future? Sign up today for the virtual series or join in-person to create something amazing together. Spots are limited—apply by June 2 for priority enrollment.

Our partners at In Tandem are empowering young people to shape the future with their groundbreaking Youth Voice Fellowship! This remote, year-round opportunity for youth ages 13–18 invites them to share real feedback, ideas, and experiences with national organizations creating tools, programs, and content for young people. Fellows engage directly with companies, connect with peers across the U.S., and even earn a scholarship for their contributions—no expertise required, just their authentic perspectives. With applications open until May 23, this is a chance for youth to make their voices heard in meaningful ways. In Tandem is committed to inclusivity, offering support for accessibility and flexible participation. Whether you’re a frequent applicant or someone who usually hesitates to speak up, this fellowship is for you! Apply now and help build a future where youth perspectives lead the way. Visit in-tandem.org to learn more about the program and expectations or reach out to youth@in-tandem.org if you need support.

Check out this game-changing tool from our partners at the Center for Digital Thriving—Graidients is here to revolutionize how classrooms navigate AI! This isn’t about rigid rules or one-size-fits-all policies; it’s a dynamic framework that empowers teachers and students to co-create meaningful guidelines for AI use in assignments. By fostering open dialogue and collaborative norm-setting, Graidients turns tech ethics into a shared conversation—because when teens have a say in the rules, they’re way more invested in following them. Ready to transform how your classroom approaches AI? Dive in and see the magic for yourself!

Our partners at The AAKOMA Project have released the highly anticipated State of Mental Health for Youth & Young Adults of Color (SOMHYOC) 2025 study, sharing powerful insights from over 9,000 diverse youth and young adults of color, including LGBTQIA+ and disabled youth. This critical research centers equity, amplifying voices from Black, Latino/é, AANHPI, Indigenous, Arab/MENA, and multiracial communities to drive systemic change in mental health care. The findings challenge stigmas, advocate for culturally responsive support, and push for policies that better serve marginalized youth. Discover how this groundbreaking work is shaping a more inclusive future—read the full report now!

The Institute for Citizens & Scholars are calling on young changemakers to bridge divides and shape the future with the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Fellowship! This transformative opportunity invites youth ages 14–24 to form teams of five and lead impactful community projects tackling issues like climate justice, education equity, voter engagement, and more. Over a year, fellows will gain mentorship, collaborate with diverse peers nationwide, and receive stipends (up to $2.5K for team leads!) while driving real change. With a final deadline May 28, now’s the time to step up—whether you’re a seasoned activist or just starting your civic journey. The program prioritizes accessibility, offering travel support for team leads and flexible virtual engagement. Ready to unite communities and build a stronger democracy? Apply today and join 500 young leaders rewriting America’s story. If you have any questions, email civiceducation@citizensandscholars.org.

Funding Opportunities

The Decolonizing Wealth Project’s Youth Mental Health Fund is now accepting proposals for its 2025 grant cycle, with a submission deadline of July 10, 2025, at 5 PM Pacific. This new initiative will invest at least $15 million over three years to expand access to culturally responsive mental health care for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S., aged 12–24. Organizations may apply for either Anchor Grants ($100,000–$250,000) or Opportunity Grants ($30,000–$100,000), depending on their size and years of operation. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Federally Recognized Tribes, and fiscally sponsored projects. The Fund prioritizes youth-led and community-based programs, cultural healing practices, and mental health advocacy. Grantees will receive general operating or project-specific support and benefit from capacity-building opportunities. For more information and to register for upcoming info webinars on June 3 and June 24, visit the application page. Questions about the platform can be sent to info@justfund.us, and questions about the proposal to rich@decolonizingwealth.com.

Upcoming Events

Register now! Our YF Innovator Valerie Grison-Alsop and the team at Give Us The Floor are bringing together a powerful evening of hope and action to Santa Fe on June 17th from 4:30–6:30 PM—and you’re invited! Co-hosted by James Beard Award-nominated Chef Fernando Ruiz, this intimate happy hour at Escondido will unite advocates, allies, and changemakers to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in New Mexico. Enjoy apps and cocktails while connecting with leaders who are driving life-changing peer support programs for queer youth in crisis. With 83% of participants reporting reduced loneliness after just one month in GUTF’s program, your presence will help amplify this vital work. Don’t miss this chance to collaborate with supporters like the Eric Oppenheimer Family Foundation and Modern Elder Academy. Secure your spot today!