Students will be able to identify personal digital habits, recognize the impact of digital overuse on well-being, and apply strategies for maintaining a healthy digital balance.
In today's interconnected world, understanding and managing our digital consumption is vital for mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. This lesson empowers students to take control of their digital lives.
Begin by distributing or projecting the Digital Habits Warm-Up. 2. Ask students to quickly reflect on their digital usage for a minute. 3. Briefly discuss a few responses as a whole class, encouraging honest but non-judgmental sharing. "Who feels like they're perfectly balanced with their screen time? Who feels overwhelmed sometimes?"
Step 2
Introduction: The Digital Dilemma
5 minutes
Present the first few slides of the Digital Balance Slide Deck. 2. Introduce the concept of digital well-being and the idea of 'finding your focus' in a digitally saturated world. 3. Pose a guiding question: "How does our digital world help us, and how might it sometimes get in the way?"
Step 3
Understanding Digital Impact
10 minutes
Continue through the Digital Balance Slide Deck, focusing on the potential impacts of excessive digital use (e.g., sleep, focus, mental health). 2. Facilitate a discussion using prompts from the Digital Well-being Discussion Guide. Encourage students to share their experiences and observations. 3. Emphasize that technology isn't 'bad,' but balance is key.
Step 4
Strategies for Digital Balance
5 minutes
Shift to the strategy-focused slides in the Digital Balance Slide Deck. 2. Introduce practical tips such as setting boundaries, digital detoxes, mindful scrolling, and tech-free zones. 3. Ask students to consider which strategies might work best for them: "Which of these ideas sounds most challenging? Which one could you try today?"
Step 5
Cool-Down: Digital Detox Pledge
5 minutes
Conclude the lesson with the Digital Detox Cool-Down. 2. Ask students to individually complete the prompt, reflecting on one small change they can make. 3. Optionally, have a few students share their pledges, reinforcing the commitment to digital well-being.
Slide Deck
Digital Balance: Find Your Focus
How do you feel about your daily screen time?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of digital well-being. Ask a quick warm-up question to gauge their initial thoughts on screen time.
The Digital Dilemma
We live in a digital world! How does technology help us, and how might it get in the way sometimes?
Explain the importance of understanding our digital habits. Discuss how technology is integrated into our lives.
Understanding Digital Impact
• Sleep: Scrolling late at night affects rest.
• Focus: Constant notifications distract us.
• Mental Health: Comparing ourselves to others online.
• Productivity: Getting lost in endless feeds.
Discuss the potential negative impacts of excessive digital use, such as disrupted sleep, decreased focus, and mental health concerns.
Strategies for Digital Balance
• Set Boundaries: Designated tech-free times or zones.
• Digital Detox: Short breaks from all screens.
• Mindful Scrolling: Be intentional with your online time.
• Notification Management: Turn off unnecessary alerts.
• Prioritize Real Life: Face-to-face interactions, hobbies.
Introduce practical strategies for creating a healthier digital environment. Encourage students to think about what they can implement.
Your Digital Detox Pledge
What is ONE small change you can make this week to improve your digital balance?
Conclude by encouraging students to commit to one small change. Emphasize that even small steps can make a big difference.
Warm Up
Digital Habits Check-in
Take a moment to honestly reflect on your digital habits. Answer the questions below:
What's the first app you check in the morning?
How many hours a day do you estimate you spend on screens (excluding schoolwork)?
When you're supposed to be focusing on something else, do you find yourself reaching for your phone? (Yes/No)
What's one positive thing technology brings to your life?
What's one challenge technology presents to your well-being?
Discussion
Digital Well-being Discussion Guide
Use these prompts to facilitate a class discussion after reviewing the impacts of digital overuse and strategies for balance.
Opening the Discussion
How many of you feel like you spend too much time on your phone or computer?
Can you think of a time when technology helped you, and a time when it hindered you? Share an example with the class.
Exploring Impacts
The slides mentioned sleep. How does screen time, especially late at night, affect your sleep? Have you noticed a difference?
We talked about focus. In what ways do constant notifications or the urge to check social media impact your ability to concentrate on schoolwork or other tasks?
Social media often shows us highlights of other people's lives. How does this make you feel? Does it ever lead to comparison or feelings of inadequacy?
Beyond sleep and focus, what other aspects of your physical or mental health do you think are influenced by your digital habits?
Towards Solutions
What are some practical steps you think you could take to reduce your screen time, even for short periods?
Do you think setting specific "tech-free" times or zones in your home could be helpful? Why or why not?
How can you be more mindful about why you're picking up your device, instead of just automatically doing it?
What role do you think friends and family play in encouraging or discouraging healthy digital habits?
Cool Down
Digital Detox Pledge
Reflect on the strategies we discussed today for creating a healthier digital balance. What is ONE small, actionable change you can commit to making this week to improve your digital well-being?
Think about what's realistic for you and write it down below. This is your personal pledge!
