Empowering Critical Thinkers in the Age of Social Media and AI
Students are losing the ability to think in a culture of feeds, shortcuts, and AI. RethinkOnline delivers workshops, trainings, and programs that give schools, families, and communities the tools to change that.
The Problem
A Compounding Crisis for Young Thinkers
Declining test scores, AI dependency, and algorithm-driven content aren't isolated problems — they're a compounding crisis eroding students' ability to think for themselves.
- 33% of 8th graders scored below NAEP Basic in reading in 2024
- Only 20% of students met all four ACT college readiness benchmarks in 2024
- 96% of high school students fail to question source credibility when financial conflicts of interest are present
- 69% of Fortune 500 companies cite critical thinking as their most essential workforce skill today
Digital spaces are optimized for reaction, not reflection. The result is a generation losing control of their own thinking.
The Gap
As AI enters schools, most solutions optimize for efficiency. The missing counter-balance is cognitive autonomy — so students think independently within AI-rich environments, not instead of them.
Our Response
RethinkOnline delivers workshops, trainings, and programs that equip students, educators, parents, and community leaders with the skills to push back — and think for themselves.
Our Programs
Workshops & Trainings That Build Real Skills
We bring interactive, practical programs directly to schools, organizations, companies, churches, and families — no prior expertise required.
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Workshops & Trainings
Hands-on sessions for students, educators, parents, and professionals — teaching how to evaluate information, spot influence tactics, and think with greater clarity and confidence.
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School & Classroom Programs
Curriculum-aligned programs that help K–12 schools integrate critical thinking and media literacy into everyday learning — without adding burden to teachers.
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Community & Family Programs
Support for parents, families, churches, and community organizations navigating the challenges of raising and working with young people in the digital age.
Our programs help people:
- Identify misinformation, bias, and influence tactics in everyday digital content
- Build self-awareness about how social media and AI shape their thinking
- Develop stronger reasoning skills for school, work, and daily life
- Create home and classroom environments that foster reflection over reaction
Our Community
Who We Serve
Our workshops and programs meet people where they are — in classrooms, workplaces, living rooms, and places of worship.
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Schools & Educators
K–12 schools, teachers, and counselors looking to bring critical thinking and media literacy directly into the school day.
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Parents & Families
Caregivers who want practical tools and conversations to help their kids navigate social media, AI, and digital life.
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Organizations & Companies
Workplaces and nonprofits that want to equip employees and leaders with sharper thinking skills in an AI-driven world.
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Churches & Communities
Faith communities and civic groups committed to helping their members engage thoughtfully with information and technology.
Who We Are
Our Leadership Team
Educators, researchers, a physician, and a financial leader — united by a shared belief that every student deserves the tools to think for themselves.
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Jemma Abowd, MD
Board Member — Health & Medicine
A physician and former health insurance medical director, Jemma brings rigorous evidence-based thinking and a multidisciplinary perspective to RethinkOnline's research mission.
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James Damico, PhD
Founder
Professor of Literacy, Culture & Language Education at Indiana University, James began his career as an elementary and middle school teacher before earning his Ph.D. from Michigan State. For more than three decades, his scholarship has focused on media and critical literacy and inquiry-based approaches to help learners navigate complex information. He has authored three books and numerous articles on self-aware critical thinking, and spent over 20 years designing digital tools that put these ideas into practice.
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Mary Beth Borkowski
Board Member — Education
A National Board Certified Teacher with decades in the classroom, Mary Beth contributes deep expertise in curriculum development, student engagement, and educational equity.
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Jeff Reynolds
Chief Financial Officer
An accomplished CFO with experience across nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Jeff brings financial stewardship and strategic leadership to RethinkOnline's operations and social impact goals.
Join Us
Help Build the Next Generation of Critical Thinkers
Together, we can foster a generation that not only consumes information — but critically understands and reshapes it.
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Bring a Workshop to Your Community
Request a workshop or training for your school, organization, company, or faith community. We'll bring the program to you.
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Become a Supporter
Your contribution keeps our programs free and accessible to the schools and communities that need them most.
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Think Well Together! delivers practical tools for evaluating information, building reasoning skills, and navigating the digital world with confidence.
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Partner With Us
Schools, districts, and organizations can partner to co-develop programs and bring critical thinking training to more people.
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