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Digital Detox Challenge

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Lesson Plan

Digital Detox Challenge

Students will analyze the impact of digital media on well-being, set personal screen time boundaries, and explore alternative activities to foster real-world connections.

This lesson helps students develop critical digital literacy skills, improve mental well-being, and build healthier habits for a balanced life in the digital age.

Audience

Middle and High School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, self-reflection, and a guided challenge, students will assess and adjust their digital habits.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Digital Detox Slides, Digital Habits Worksheet, Reconnecting with the Present Activity, and Digital Detox Discussion Guide

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up: Digital Snapshot (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Begin with a quick poll or show of hands: 'How many of you checked your phone in the last hour?' or 'How many feel like they spend a lot of time online?'
    - Introduce the concept of digital well-being and the focus of today's lesson: the Digital Detox Challenge.
    - Prompt students with the question: 'What does 'reconnecting with the present' mean to you?' Allow for a few student responses to set the stage.

Step 2

Understanding Digital Impact (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Use the Digital Detox Slides to guide a discussion on the pros and cons of digital media.
    - Focus on slides that encourage critical thinking about how digital usage affects mood, focus, sleep, and social interactions.
    - Facilitate a short group discussion using prompts from the Digital Detox Discussion Guide related to personal experiences with digital media's impact.

Step 3

Self-Reflection & Goal Setting (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Digital Habits Worksheet.
    - Guide students through the worksheet, encouraging them to honestly assess their digital habits and identify areas for change.
    - Emphasize setting realistic and personal screen time boundaries. Circulate to offer support and answer questions.

Step 4

The Reconnecting Challenge (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Reconnecting with the Present Activity, explaining it as a 'Digital Detox Challenge.'
    - Clearly outline the challenge: choosing 1-2 non-digital activities to try over the next 24-48 hours and reflecting on the experience.
    - Discuss potential non-digital activities (reading, creative arts, outdoor time, talking to family/friends).

Step 5

Wrap-up & Share (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share one goal or one alternative activity they are excited to try from their Digital Habits Worksheet or the Reconnecting with the Present Activity.
    - Reiterate the goal of balance, not complete abstinence, from digital media.
    - Encourage students to reflect on their experiences with the challenge in their personal time.
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Slide Deck

Digital Detox Challenge:

Reconnecting with the Present - How do our digital habits shape our lives?

Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Ask a quick warm-up question to get them thinking about their digital use.

What is Digital Well-being?

  • It's about finding a healthy balance with technology.
  • Using digital tools intentionally, not compulsively.
  • Protecting your mental and physical health in a connected world.

Explain what 'digital well-being' means. It's not about being anti-tech, but about finding a healthy balance.

The Upside: Benefits of Digital Media

  • Connection: Staying in touch with friends and family.
  • Learning: Access to information and educational resources.
  • Creativity: Tools for self-expression and innovation.
  • Entertainment: Movies, music, games, and more.
  • Community: Finding groups with shared interests.

Acknowledge the positive aspects of digital media before diving into the challenges. This helps create a balanced perspective.

The Downside: Impacts on Well-being

  • Mental Health: Anxiety, stress, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
  • Physical Health: Eye strain, poor posture, sleep disruption.
  • Focus & Productivity: Constant distractions, decreased attention span.
  • Social Connections: Replacing real-life interactions with online ones.
  • Time Consumption: How much time are we really spending online?

Now, discuss the potential downsides. Encourage students to think about their own experiences without judgment.

Where Do We Feel It Most?

  • Sleep Quality: Is your phone the last thing you see before bed?
  • Schoolwork: Do notifications break your concentration?
  • Relationships: Are you present with friends and family?
  • Hobbies: Do you have time for non-digital activities?
  • Mood: How do you feel after a long scrolling session?

Ask students to consider specific areas of their life affected by digital usage. This leads into the worksheet.

Reconnecting with the Present

  • Intentionality: Making conscious choices about when and how to use digital devices.
  • Mindfulness: Being aware of the present moment, offline.
  • Real-world Engagement: Prioritizing face-to-face interactions and physical activities.
  • Balance: Finding a healthy mix of digital and non-digital life.

Introduce the idea of intentional disconnection. It's about making choices, not just reacting to notifications.

Your Digital Detox Challenge!

  • The Goal: Intentionally reduce screen time and engage with the offline world.
  • Why?: To discover what you might be missing and improve your well-being.
  • How?: Set realistic goals and explore alternative activities.
  • Remember: This is about balance, not abandonment!

Explain the goal of the challenge – it's personal and about exploration. Highlight that it's a 'challenge' because it requires effort.

Alternative Activities to Explore

  • Creative Hobbies: Drawing, writing, playing music.
  • Outdoor Adventures: Walking, biking, sports.
  • Social Time: Talking to friends/family in person.
  • Reading: Books, magazines, anything not on a screen.
  • Mindfulness: Meditation, journaling, quiet reflection.
  • Helping Others: Volunteering, acts of kindness.

Give examples and encourage creative thinking for non-digital activities.

Take Control of Your Digital Life!

  • You have the power to choose how you interact with technology.
  • Small changes can lead to big improvements in your well-being.
  • Be kind to yourself as you explore new habits!
  • What's one thing you're excited to try or change?

Conclude by empowering students and encouraging them to take ownership of their digital habits. Ask for initial thoughts or questions.

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Worksheet

My Digital Habits Check-Up

It's time to take a look at how digital media fits into your life. Be honest with yourself – this is for your well-being!

Part 1: My Current Digital Life

  1. What are the top 3 digital apps or platforms you spend the most time on each day?



  2. Roughly how many hours a day do you think you spend looking at a screen (phone, computer, TV, etc.)?



  3. When do you typically use your phone or other devices? (e.g., first thing in the morning, during meals, before bed)






Part 2: Reflecting on Impact

Think about how your digital habits make you feel and how they affect different parts of your life.

  1. On a scale of 1-5 (1 = Not at all, 5 = A lot), how much does your digital use impact your:

    • Sleep Quality:
    • Focus in School/Homework:
    • Mood/Happiness:
    • Time with Family/Friends (in person):
    • Physical Activity/Time Outdoors:

  2. Describe one positive way digital media helps you.



  3. Describe one negative consequence you've noticed from your digital use.






Part 3: Setting New Boundaries & Exploring Alternatives

Now, let's think about making some positive changes.

  1. What is one realistic boundary you could set for your screen time, starting today? (e.g., no phone after 9 PM, check social media only twice a day)






  2. Brainstorm 2-3 non-digital activities you genuinely enjoy or would like to try. These could be hobbies, spending time with people, or being outdoors!

    • Activity 1:
    • Activity 2:
    • Activity 3:

  3. How do you think these changes might improve your well-being or your connection to the present moment?









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Activity

Reconnecting with the Present: Your Digital Detox Challenge!

Sometimes, to truly appreciate the world around us, we need to unplug from the digital one. This challenge is designed to help you discover the joy and peace that come from being present in the moment.

The Challenge: Unplug & Explore

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to consciously reduce your screen time and engage in non-digital activities for a set period (e.g., 24-48 hours, or even just a few hours after school).

Instructions:

  1. Choose Your Focus: Look back at your Digital Habits Worksheet. Which digital habit do you want to address most? (e.g., endlessly scrolling social media, late-night phone use, gaming for too long).



  2. Pick 1-2 Non-Digital Activities: From your brainstormed list or the ideas we discussed, select one or two non-digital activities you will commit to trying. Make them specific! (e.g., "read a chapter of a book," "go for a 30-minute walk," "help cook dinner," "talk to a family member about their day," "draw for 20 minutes").



  3. Set Your Timer (Mentally or Physically): Decide on a specific time frame for your challenge. This could be:

    • No phone during dinner.
    • No social media for 24 hours.
    • Spending an hour outdoors without your device.
    • Turning off notifications for a few hours while doing homework.



  4. Engage Fully: While you are doing your chosen non-digital activities, try to be fully present. Notice details, enjoy the process, and resist the urge to check your phone.

Reflection Questions (Think about these after your challenge):

  1. What was the most challenging part of disconnecting from your digital devices?






  2. What did you notice about yourself, your surroundings, or your interactions when you weren't constantly connected?









  3. What non-digital activity did you engage in, and how did it make you feel?






  4. Do you think you spent your time differently? If so, how?






  5. What is one positive habit you might want to continue after this challenge?






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Discussion

Digital Detox: A Class Discussion

This guide will help us have a meaningful conversation about our relationship with digital media and the idea of disconnecting to reconnect. Encourage students to share their honest thoughts and experiences in a respectful environment.

Part 1: Initial Thoughts & Observations

  1. What are some of the first thoughts or feelings that come to mind when you hear the phrase "digital detox"?



  2. In what ways do you feel digital media enhances your life? (e.g., staying connected, learning new things, entertainment)






  3. In what ways do you feel digital media detracts from your well-being or your ability to be present? (e.g., distraction, comparison, sleep issues)









Part 2: Personal Impact & Habits

  1. Based on your Digital Habits Worksheet, what was one surprising thing you learned about your own digital usage?






  2. Can anyone share a time when they felt truly disconnected from their devices and enjoyed the moment? What was that experience like?









  3. What are some of the biggest challenges to reducing screen time or setting digital boundaries in your daily life?






Part 3: Strategies & Moving Forward

  1. What strategies have you (or someone you know) found effective for managing screen time or encouraging more offline activities?






  2. What are some fun or engaging non-digital activities that you think more people should try?






  3. What is one small change you could make this week to be more intentional with your digital use and more present in your life?









Wrap-up Questions:

  • What was the most important takeaway from today's discussion for you?
  • How can we support each other in building healthier digital habits?
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