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Digital Balance: My Screen Time, My Choices

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Lesson Plan

Digital Balance: My Screen Time, My Choices

Students will critically examine their digital habits, understand the impact of excessive screen use on well-being, and develop personalized strategies for mindful technology engagement.

Establishing a healthy digital balance is crucial for overall well-being and responsible digital citizenship in an increasingly connected world. This lesson empowers students to make intentional choices about their online interactions.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

60-75 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and practical strategy development.

Materials

Digital Balance Slide Deck, Digital Habits Worksheet, Screen Time Solutions Activity, and Digital Balance Discussion Prompts

Prep

Teacher Preparation

20 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

10 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion: "How much time do you spend on screens each day? What are your favorite things to do on screens?"
    - Introduce the concept of digital balance using the Digital Balance Slide Deck. (Slides 1-3)

Step 2

Understanding Digital Habits

20 minutes

  • Distribute the Digital Habits Worksheet.
    - Guide students through the worksheet, encouraging honest self-reflection on their screen time usage and feelings.
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion on common patterns and initial thoughts. (Slides 4-6)

Step 3

Impact and Solutions

25 minutes

  • Present information on the impact of excessive screen time (sleep, mood, relationships) using the Digital Balance Slide Deck. (Slides 7-9)
    - Introduce the Screen Time Solutions Activity. Divide students into small groups and have them brainstorm and develop personalized strategies for mindful screen use.
    - Have groups share their top strategies with the class. (Slide 10)

Step 4

Class Discussion & Wrap-Up

15 minutes

  • Facilitate a whole-class discussion using the Digital Balance Discussion Prompts.
    - Emphasize that digital balance is about making informed choices, not eliminating screens entirely.
    - Conclude by reinforcing the importance of mindful technology engagement for overall well-being. (Slide 11)
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Slide Deck

Digital Balance: My Screen Time, My Choices

How much time do you spend on screens each day?
What are your favorite things to do on screens?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about their daily screen use. This slide serves as a hook to get them thinking about the topic before diving in.

What is Digital Balance?

It's not about getting rid of screens completely.
It's about using technology in a way that is healthy and helpful for you.
Finding the right amount of screen time so it doesn't negatively impact other parts of your life.

Explain what 'digital balance' means. It's not about ditching screens, but using them thoughtfully.

Your Digital Life

Think about all the ways you use screens:

  • Schoolwork and learning
  • Connecting with friends and family
  • Entertainment (games, videos, social media)
  • Hobbies and creative activities

Ask students to consider different types of screen time (e.g., school work, connecting with friends, entertainment).

Time to Reflect: Digital Habits Worksheet

Let's take some time to think about our own screen habits.
Complete the Digital Habits Worksheet honestly.
This is for your reflection, not a test!

Introduce the worksheet. Explain that this is a personal reflection and there are no right or wrong answers.

How Do You Feel?

When you spend a lot of time on screens, how do you feel?

  • Energized or tired?
  • Connected or isolated?
  • Happy or stressed?

Guide students to think about how they feel after different types of screen use.

Spotting Your Patterns

What times of day do you use screens the most?
Are there certain activities you do more than others?
Do you notice any triggers for screen time (e.g., boredom, stress)?

Encourage students to identify patterns in their own usage.

The Impact of Too Much Screen Time

When screen time gets out of balance, it can affect:

  • Sleep: Screens before bed can make it harder to fall asleep.
  • Mood: Comparing yourself to others online can impact self-esteem.
  • Relationships: Less face-to-face time can strain friendships.
  • Physical Health: Less activity, more eye strain.

Discuss potential negative impacts of too much screen time. Keep it age-appropriate and relatable.

It's Not Just You!

Many people struggle with finding a healthy digital balance.
Understanding the challenges is the first step to making positive changes.

Emphasize that these are common experiences and not something to feel bad about, but to be aware of.

Making Intentional Choices

You have the power to make choices about your screen time.
It's about being mindful and intentional.

Introduce the idea of solutions and active choices.

Finding Your Solutions

Let's work together to find practical ways to create digital balance!
Get ready for the Screen Time Solutions Activity!
Think about: How can you use screens smartly? What are some non-screen activities you enjoy?

Explain the activity: students will brainstorm practical strategies.

Your Choices, Your Well-being

You are in control of your digital life.
Make choices that support your health, happiness, and connections with others.
Keep exploring, keep balancing, keep growing!

Conclude by reiterating the main message.

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Worksheet

Digital Habits Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

This worksheet is for your own reflection. Be honest with yourself! There are no right or wrong answers.

Part 1: My Screen Time Snapshot

  1. On a typical weekday, how many hours do you estimate you spend on screens? (Consider phone, computer, TV, gaming consoles, etc.)



  2. On a typical weekend day, how many hours do you estimate you spend on screens?



  3. List the top 3 apps or websites you use the most. Why do you enjoy using them?

    1. _________________________

      Why:


    2. _________________________

      Why:


    3. _________________________

      Why:


  4. What do you mostly use screens for? (Check all that apply)

    • ___ Schoolwork/Learning
    • ___ Communicating with friends/family
    • ___ Gaming
    • ___ Watching videos/movies
    • ___ Social media
    • ___ Hobbies/Creative activities
    • ___ Other (please specify): _________________________

Part 2: Reflecting on My Feelings

  1. How do you usually feel after spending a lot of time on screens?

    • ___ Energized/Happy
    • ___ Tired/Drained
    • ___ Connected/Social
    • ___ Isolated/Lonely
    • ___ Calm/Relaxed
    • ___ Restless/Anxious
    • ___ Productive
    • ___ Guilty

  2. Can you think of a time when using a screen made you feel good? Describe it.






  3. Can you think of a time when using a screen made you feel not so good? Describe it.






  4. Do you ever feel like you need to check your phone or a specific app, even when you don't really want to?



Part 3: Looking Ahead

  1. What is one thing you like about your current screen habits?



  2. What is one thing you might want to change about your screen habits?



  3. What are some non-screen activities you enjoy doing (or would like to try)?



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Activity

Screen Time Solutions Activity

Goal: Work with your group to brainstorm and develop creative, practical strategies for finding a healthy digital balance!

Instructions:

  1. Form Groups: Your teacher will divide you into small groups.

  2. Brainstorm Challenges (5 minutes): As a group, discuss some common challenges or negative impacts you or people you know experience with screen time. (e.g., difficulty sleeping, feeling distracted, losing track of time, arguments with family about screens).






  3. Brainstorm Solutions (10 minutes): Now, for each challenge you identified, or for general screen time management, brainstorm at least 3-5 practical solutions. Think outside the box! Consider:

    • Time Management: How can you set limits?
    • Alternative Activities: What can you do instead of using screens?
    • Digital Well-being Tools: Are there features on devices that can help?
    • Family/Friend Agreements: How can you get others involved?
    • Mindful Use: How can you use screens more intentionally?

    Challenge: _________________________
    Solutions:










    Challenge: _________________________
    Solutions:










    Challenge: _________________________
    Solutions:










  4. Choose Your Top 3 (5 minutes): From all your ideas, select your group's top three most effective and achievable solutions. Be ready to share these with the class.

    Our Group's Top 3 Screen Time Solutions:

    1. Why this solution is great:


    2. Why this solution is great:


    3. Why this solution is great:


  5. Prepare to Share: Assign one person in your group to share your top three solutions with the rest of the class. Explain briefly why you chose them.

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Discussion

Digital Balance Discussion Prompts

Use these prompts to guide a class discussion after students have completed their worksheets and brainstormed solutions. Encourage active listening and respectful sharing.

Opening the Discussion

  1. Based on your worksheet reflections, what was one surprising thing you learned about your own screen habits?

  2. What is one thing you like about how you use screens, and one thing you might want to adjust?

Exploring Challenges and Impacts

  1. Can anyone share a time when too much screen time affected their sleep, mood, or relationships with friends or family?

  2. How does what you see on social media (or other online platforms) sometimes make you feel about yourself or your life?

  3. What are some of the biggest distractions you face when you're trying to do schoolwork or chores, and screens are involved?

Brainstorming and Solutions

  1. (After groups share their top solutions from the Screen Time Solutions Activity) Which of the solutions shared by other groups resonated with you the most? Why?

  2. What are some non-screen activities that you genuinely enjoy and could do more often?

  3. How can you involve your family or friends in helping you achieve better digital balance?

Looking Forward

  1. What does "digital balance" mean to you now compared to the beginning of this lesson?

  2. What is one small step you can take today to start creating a healthier digital balance in your own life?

  3. Why is it important for you to make intentional choices about your screen time?

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Discussion

Digital Balance Discussion Prompts

Use these prompts to guide a class discussion after students have completed their worksheets and brainstormed solutions. Encourage active listening and respectful sharing.

Opening the Discussion

  1. Based on your worksheet reflections, what was one surprising thing you learned about your own screen habits?

  2. What is one thing you like about how you use screens, and one thing you might want to adjust?

Exploring Challenges and Impacts

  1. Can anyone share a time when too much screen time affected their sleep, mood, or relationships with friends or family?

  2. How does what you see on social media (or other online platforms) sometimes make you feel about yourself or your life?

  3. What are some of the biggest distractions you face when you're trying to do schoolwork or chores, and screens are involved?

Brainstorming and Solutions

  1. (After groups share their top solutions from the Screen Time Solutions Activity) Which of the solutions shared by other groups resonated with you the most? Why?

  2. What are some non-screen activities that you genuinely enjoy and could do more often?

  3. How can you involve your family or friends in helping you achieve better digital balance?

Looking Forward

  1. What does
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