This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussions focus on the rise of a new drink craze and the wider topic of influence in our daily lives. By examining the arrival of Prime Hydration in the UK and reflecting on the power of influencers, students and teachers are encouraged to consider who and what shapes the choices we make. Prime Hydration: A New Craze in the UK Recently, a drink called Prime Hydration took the UK by storm. The beverage, created by popular online influencers KSI and Logan Paul, sold out rapidly in stores as soon as it was released. Reports emerged of long queues, with over 100 people waiting outside one store in southwest London on launch day. In several places, shops experienced pushing and shoving, prompting staff to limit purchases to one bottle per customer. The demand didn’t end there—bottles of Prime appeared on eBay listed for thousands of pounds. Prime’s founders, KSI and Logan Paul, have a combined YouTube following of over 40 million, helping to drive massive attention to the product. What is Prime Hydration? Prime Hydration is a drink containing 10% coconut water, electrolytes, B vitamins, no sugar, no caffeine, and only around 20 calories per bottle, according to its makers. The drink is available in several flavours, including Blue Raspberry, Lemon and Lime, and Ice Pop. The huge popularity of Prime Hydration is closely tied to the influence and reach of its celebrity creators, who both share regular updates with their extensive online audiences. The Role of Influencers KSI (Knowledge, Strength, Integrity) started as a British rapper and gaming YouTuber, while Logan Paul became widely known through vlogging about his life and adventures. The two decided to collaborate and launch Prime Hydration, leveraging their follower bases to propel the drink’s success. But what exactly is an influencer? Understanding Influencers An influencer is a person who can affect what others want, buy, or how they behave, typically through social media. They might be bloggers, YouTubers, or podcasters with vast audiences. Influencers earn money by displaying adverts, representing companies, or promoting and selling their own products. Even some children are influencers, sharing reviews of toys and games online. How Influencers Get Paid There are several ways influencers make a living, including paid advertisements, sponsorships, and sales of their own branded products. With large and loyal followings, they often have the power to turn products into overnight sensations—as seen with Prime Hydration. What Influences the Choices We Make? It’s not just influencers that shape our decisions. Many different people and experiences play a role, including: Family and friends Community members Teachers and education Celebrities Fictional characters from books and films Online content Personal experiences and culture Music and word of mouth We all have unique influences that guide our behaviour, attitudes, and the things we choose to buy or do. The Concept of Influence To have influence is to affect someone’s thinking or actions. During classroom discussions, students are encouraged to reflect on examples of how their own choices have been influenced—whether by someone they admire, online content they have seen, or family traditions. Classroom Reflection: Making Thoughtful Choices While influencers may reach thousands or even millions of people, it remains important for everyone to make decisions thoughtfully, considering both the positive and negative consequences. We should remember to approach decisions with open minds and be aware of who or what is guiding our choices. Additionally, students are reminded that everyone has the potential to influence others. Our words and actions can affect those around us, so we are encouraged to use this influence responsibly. Learning about Social Media and Online Safety As children get older and begin to use social media, understanding the role of influencers and how to stay safe online becomes increasingly important. Learning about internet safety, questioning the information we see, and being cautious about sharing personal details or interacting with strangers helps protect everyone from exploitation. Discussion Points for School and Home What is it about influencers you admire? Are they positive role models? What are the pros and cons of using the internet for learning and entertainment? How do advertisements and persuasive language affect our decisions? Can you think of examples where you influenced someone else or were influenced by others? What factors should you consider before making a purchase or following advice online? Vocabulary to Explore This Week Admire – To respect and approve of someone. Craze – Something extremely popular, usually for a short period. Influencer – Someone who uses social media to promote ideas or products. Consequences – The results or effects, sometimes unwelcome. Limit – The greatest amount allowed or possible. Founder – Someone who starts an organisation or business. Further Activities For Younger Students (KS1) Discuss favourite drinks at home and school, and how to measure their capacity. Explore what influences everyday choices and how these can be ordered by significance. Think about something you would like to own and what made you want it. For Older Students (KS2) Analyze internet use at home and school, discussing the positives and negatives. Design an internet safety poster with tips on keeping safe online. Persuade classmates to buy a chosen classroom item; explore the power of persuasive language. Design and make a healthy smoothie, measuring ingredients and describing the result. Reflecting on Influence in Our Lives There are many things that can influence the choices we make, from the people around us to our experiences, education, and even beliefs. By being mindful of how and why we are making decisions, we can strive to be better role models and use our own influence positively. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
