Digital Habits: The Good and The Challenging

Introduction: Our Digital Lives (5 minutes)

• Teacher: "Welcome, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something that's a big part of all our lives: technology and screens. I want us to think about how we use technology and how it makes us feel."
• Question: "What are some of your favorite things about having access to technology? How does it help you in your daily life?"
  • (Encourage students to share examples: connecting with friends, learning new things, entertainment, homework help.)
    
    
    

The Upsides of Technology (10 minutes)

• Teacher: "Technology offers so many amazing benefits. Let's dig a little deeper. Can anyone share a specific way technology has helped them recently? Maybe with a school project, connecting with someone far away, or discovering a new interest?"
• Question: "Beyond just entertainment, what are some of the truly valuable things technology brings to your life?"
  • (Prompt for ideas: access to information, creative tools, staying informed about the world.)
    
    
    

The Downsides and Challenges (15 minutes)

• Teacher: "Now, let's think about the other side. While technology is great, sometimes using it a lot can have some challenges. Have you ever felt like you've spent too much time on a screen? What did that feel like?"
• Question: "What are some of the challenges or negative effects you've noticed from spending a lot of time on screens? Think about how it might affect your sleep, your mood, your schoolwork, or even your relationships with friends and family."
  • (Guide the discussion to cover topics like: eye strain, sleep disruption, feeling distracted, missing out on real-life activities, comparing oneself to others online, cyberbullying.)
    
    
    
• Follow-up Question: "How does it feel when you're trying to focus on something important, like homework or a conversation, and you get a notification on your phone or device?"
  • (Discuss the impact of constant interruptions.)
    
    
    

Finding Balance: What Does It Look Like? (10 minutes)

• Teacher: "It's clear that technology has both positives and negatives. The key is finding a healthy balance. What do you think a 'healthy digital balance' means?"
• Question: "If you wanted to spend less time on screens or use technology more mindfully, what's one small change you could try?"
  • (Encourage practical ideas like: putting phone away during meals, not using devices an hour before bed, setting a timer for games.)
    
    
    

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Teacher: "Thank you all for sharing your honest thoughts and experiences. Remember, the goal isn't to get rid of technology, but to use it in a way that makes us happier, healthier, and more connected to the world around us. We'll be working on this more with a worksheet to help you set your own goals."

My Digital Balance Worksheet: Unplug & Reconnect

Part 1: My Current Digital Habits

Take a moment to honestly reflect on your technology use. There are no right or wrong answers, just your habits!

1. On a typical school day, how many hours do you estimate you spend on screens (phone, tablet, computer, TV, gaming console)?
   
   
   
   

2. What are your top 3 favorite digital activities?

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3. When do you feel like technology is most helpful to you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. When do you feel like technology might be causing problems or making you feel less good (e.g., tired, distracted, anxious, missing out on other things)?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Setting My Digital Boundaries

Now, let's think about how you can create a healthier balance with technology.

5. What is one specific time or situation each day when you could try to be completely screen-free?

   • (e.g., during meals, the first hour after waking up, an hour before bed, during homework time)
     
     
     
     

6. What is one type of notification you could turn off or limit to reduce distractions?

   • (e.g., social media alerts, game notifications)
     
     
     
     

7. What is one activity you enjoy doing that doesn't involve a screen? (e.g., reading, playing outside, drawing, talking to a family member)
   
   
   
   

8. How often could you commit to doing this screen-free activity each week?
   
   
   
   

Part 3: My