Lesson Plan
Screen-Time Analysis
Students will track and record their daily screen-time for one week, analyze usage trends, and reflect on personal digital habits to inform healthier behaviors.
Raising awareness of personal device use helps students recognize patterns, build self-regulation skills, and lay the groundwork for informed wellness choices.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
Two 60-minute sessions + 1 week of tracking
Approach
Hands-on data logging and collaborative reflection
Prep
Prepare Materials
30 minutes
- Print copies of the Screen-Time Log Handout and Personal Reflection Journal Template
- Review the Device Usage Tracker App Guide to ensure familiarity with app features
- Set up a demo device with tracker app installed for classroom demonstration
Step 1
Introduction to Screen-Time Tracking
15 minutes
- Engage students in a discussion about daily technology use and its impact on wellness
- Present lesson objectives and expected outcomes
- Distribute the Screen-Time Log Handout and explain key fields
Step 2
Data Collection Assignment
10 minutes
- Demonstrate the Device Usage Tracker App Guide on the classroom device
- Explain logging procedures, duration categories, and privacy considerations
- Assign students to record all screen-time for one week using the handout or the tracker app
Step 3
Reflection and Analysis Session
45 minutes
- In pairs, students share their logged data from the Screen-Time Log Handout
- Identify and chart common usage patterns and peak usage times
- Record insights and surprises in the Personal Reflection Journal Template
- Facilitate a whole-class discussion on observed trends and initial takeaways
Step 4
Wrap-Up
10 minutes
- Collect completed handouts and reflection journals
- Preview the next lesson on Effects of Digital Overuse
- Encourage students to consider one personal screen-time goal before the next session
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Slide Deck
Effects of Digital Overuse
In this lesson, we will:
- Examine psychological, physical, and social impacts of excessive screen time
- Reflect on personal experiences
- Prepare to develop strategies for balance
Welcome students. Introduce today’s focus: understanding how too much screen time affects our minds, bodies, and relationships. Explain that by recognizing these effects, they can make informed choices for healthier tech use.
Psychological Effects
- Increased anxiety and stress
- Difficulty concentrating and shortened attention span
- Sleep disturbances from blue-light exposure
- Feelings of digital dependence and FOMO
Discuss each bullet and invite students to share if they’ve felt any of these. Highlight research linking screen overuse to anxiety and attention issues.
Physical Effects
- Eye strain, headaches, and dry eyes
- Poor posture leading to neck/back pain
- Reduced physical activity and potential weight gain
- Disrupted circadian rhythm and fatigue
Point out how posture and eye strain develop over time. Introduce the 20-20-20 rule (look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) to alleviate eye fatigue.
Social Effects
- Less face-to-face interaction and weakened social skills
- Feelings of isolation despite online “connections”
- Reduced empathy and deeper conversations
- Increased exposure to cyberbullying and online drama
Encourage students to think about real-life examples—group chats vs. face-to-face talks. Ask: Have you felt isolated even when online with friends?
Reflection Activity
Think-Pair-Share:
- Which effect resonated most with your personal experience?
- Discuss with a partner for 3 minutes.
- Be ready to share one key takeaway.
Explain the structure: students think individually, then discuss with a partner, and finally share highlights with the class. Set timer for 3 minutes.
Introduce the video as expert commentary on healthy digital habits. Encourage note-taking: “What’s one surprising fact or tip you hear?”
Strategies to Reduce Digital Overuse
- Set specific daily limits and tech-free times
- Use tracking apps to monitor and manage usage
- Schedule offline hobbies, exercise, and social time
- Create tech-free zones (e.g., bedrooms, dining table)
Walk through each strategy and solicit additional ideas from students. Emphasize that small, consistent changes are most effective.
Next Steps
Prepare for Session 3 by exploring:
Preview next session: students will use what they’ve learned to build a concrete action plan and commit to realistic goals. Encourage them to review the linked materials.
Project Guide
Detox Action Plan Guide
Grade Level: 9th Grade
Tier: 1 (Classroom)
Total Time: Two 60-minute sessions + 1 week of implementation + one 60-minute reflection session
Objective
Students will develop personalized digital detox plans by setting specific, measurable goals, selecting balanced strategies, and establishing accountability mechanisms for healthier technology use.
Why
Transforming awareness into action helps students build sustainable habits, improves well-being, and strengthens community support around healthy tech practice.
Approach
Hands-on planning, peer collaboration, iterative feedback, and reflective journaling.
Materials
Prep (30 minutes)
- Print copies of the Detox Plan Template, Feasibility & Commitment Rubric, and Tech-Free Reflection
- Arrange students in collaborative groups of 3–4
- Review rubric criteria to support peer feedback
Instructions
Session 1: Crafting Your Detox Plan (60 minutes)
Introduction (10 min):
- Briefly recap key insights from Effects of Digital Overuse
Template Walkthrough (10 min):
- Distribute the Detox Plan Template
- Explain sections: Goal, Triggers, Strategies, Checkpoints, Support Partners
Plan Drafting (30 min):
- In groups, students complete their individual plans
- Brainstorm specific strategies to reduce screen time
Share Out (10 min):
- Volunteers read one section of their plan
- Class offers quick clarifying questions
Session 2: Peer Review & Commitment (45 minutes)
Peer Feedback (20 min):
- Exchange plans with a partner
- Use the Feasibility & Commitment Rubric to score each plan on clarity, realism, and challenge level
Plan Revision (15 min):
- Refine plans based on peer insights
Commitment Circle (10 min):
- Each student states their top goal and names an accountability partner
Implementation Period (1 week)
- Students carry out their detox plans, tracking progress daily
- Optionally use the Device Usage Tracker App for data
- Mid-week check-in with accountability partners to share quick updates
Session 3: Reflection & Next Steps (60 minutes)
Collect Reflections (10 min):
- Gather journals, tracker summaries, or self-assessments
Guided Reflection (25 min):
- Individually respond to prompts in Tech-Free Reflection
Group Discussion (25 min):
- Share successes and challenges
- Discuss strategies for sustaining healthy habits beyond this project
Congratulations!
By completing this project, you’ve moved from awareness to action—building real-world skills for balanced digital wellness.
Rubric
Feasibility & Commitment Rubric
Use this rubric to evaluate each student’s Detox Action Plan on goal clarity, realistic strategies, and accountability measures.
| Criterion | 4 – Exceeds Expectations | 3 – Meets Expectations | 2 – Approaching Expectations | 1 – Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal Clarity & Specificity | Goal is specific, measurable, time-bound, and directly addresses identified triggers. | Goal is clear and measurable but may lack a time frame or direct link to personal triggers. | Goal is stated but missing key details (measure, timing, or trigger connection). | Goal is vague, overly broad, or not stated. |
| Feasibility & Realism | Strategies are practical, realistic, and well aligned to the student’s lifestyle, resources, and schedule. | Strategies are mostly realistic; minor adjustments or additional details could improve feasibility. | Strategies include some unrealistic elements or lack necessary detail. | Strategies are unrealistic given time, resources, or context, or not defined. |
| Commitment & Accountability | Plan includes clear checkpoints, accountability partners, and specific methods for tracking progress over time. | Plan identifies checkpoints or partners and general tracking methods but needs more structure or specificity. | Plan has minimal accountability measures or unclear progress-tracking process. | No accountability partners or progress-tracking mechanisms are identified. |
Scoring Guide:
4 = Exceeds expectations; 3 = Meets expectations; 2 = Approaching expectations; 1 = Needs improvement.
Teachers should provide specific feedback to help students refine any criterion rated at a 1 or 2.
Cool Down
Tech-Free Reflection
Take a few minutes to reflect on your digital detox journey. Respond thoughtfully to each prompt.
- Biggest Success:
- Most Challenging Moment:
- Strategy That Helped Most:
- How I Feel After a Week of Detox:
- Changes I Plan to Continue:
- My New Goal for Next Week:
- What I Learned About Myself and My Tech Habits: