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Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance.

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Tyler Calla

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance.

Students will analyze their current screen time habits, identify the impact of social media, and brainstorm tangible alternative activities to reduce screen engagement.

In today's digital age, understanding and managing screen time, especially social media, is vital for student well-being, mental health, and academic focus. This lesson provides practical strategies for a healthier digital-life balance.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and collaborative brainstorming.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance. Slide Deck, Screen Time Reflection Worksheet, Screen Time Challenge Worksheet, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance. Lesson Plan and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Prepare the Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance. Slide Deck for presentation.
    - Print enough copies of the Screen Time Reflection Worksheet and Screen Time Challenge Worksheet for all students.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Digital Check-In

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick show of hands or a poll: "Who thinks they spend too much time on their phone or social media?" (Keep it anonymous and light-hearted).
    - Introduce the topic: "Today, we're going to talk about something almost all of us do every day – spend time on our screens. We'll specifically look at social media and brainstorm ways to live a bit more 'unplugged.'"
    - Present the objective on the Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance. Slide Deck.

Step 2

Understanding Social Media's Pull

10 minutes

  • Use the Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance. Slide Deck to facilitate a brief discussion:
    - "What are some of your favorite social media apps?"
    - "Why do you think these apps are so engaging? What keeps you scrolling?" (Prompt for ideas like connection, entertainment, FOMO, instant gratification).
    - "How do you feel after spending a long time on social media? Energized? Tired? Happy? Anxious?"
    - Distribute the Screen Time Reflection Worksheet. Give students 3-4 minutes to silently reflect and write down their thoughts on their own screen time habits and feelings.

Step 3

Brainstorming Alternatives: The Great Unplug

10 minutes

  • Transition to alternatives: "Now that we've thought about our current habits, let's brainstorm what we could do instead."
    - Show the 'Alternatives to Screen Time' slide from the Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance. Slide Deck.
    - Lead a whole-class brainstorm. Ask students to shout out activities they enjoy that don't involve screens. (Write ideas on the board or type them on a projector). Encourage a wide range: hobbies, sports, reading, talking with friends/family, creative arts, helping at home, exploring outdoors.
    - Distribute the Screen Time Challenge Worksheet. Instruct students to choose one or two alternatives they genuinely want to try and commit to reducing screen time for a set period (e.g., 30 minutes less a day, a social media-free hour). They should write their chosen activities and their commitment on the worksheet.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Commitment

5 minutes

  • Ask a few volunteers to share their chosen screen time alternatives and commitments from their Screen Time Challenge Worksheet.
    - Emphasize that it's not about quitting screens entirely, but finding a healthy balance.
    - Conclude by reiterating the main message: "Being mindful of our screen time helps us make space for other awesome things in life. I challenge you to try your chosen alternative this week!"
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Slide Deck

Lost in the Scroll? Find Your Balance.

How much time do you really spend on screens?

Welcome students and gauge initial thoughts on screen time. Keep it light and non-judgmental. This is just to get them thinking.

Our Goal Today

Objective: Analyze our screen time habits, identify social media's impact, and brainstorm fun, tangible alternatives to reduce screen engagement.

Introduce the lesson's main goal. Emphasize that it's about balance, not demonizing screens. Read the objective aloud and ask if there are any initial questions.

The Social Media Vortex

  • What are your favorite social media apps?
  • Why are they so engaging?
  • How do you feel after spending time on social media?

(Think: Connection, entertainment, FOMO, instant gratification, comparison...)

Facilitate a brief discussion. Ask open-ended questions like: "What are some of your go-to social media apps?" "What makes these apps so captivating?" "How do you feel after an hour of scrolling?"

Time for Reflection

Take a few minutes to complete the Screen Time Reflection Worksheet. Think honestly about your own habits and feelings.

Explain that students will now reflect individually using the Screen Time Reflection Worksheet. Give them a few minutes to write silently.

Beyond the Screen: What Else Is There?

Think about activities you enjoy that DON'T involve a screen.

What comes to mind? Shout them out!

Transition to solutions. Ask for student input first. "What are some things you LOVE to do that don't involve a screen?" Write their ideas on the board. Encourage variety.

Awesome Alternatives

  • Hobbies & Crafts
  • Sports & Exercise
  • Reading a Book
  • Spending Time in Nature
  • Talking with Family/Friends (in person!)
  • Learning a New Skill
  • Helping Around the House

Show some examples, but prioritize student-generated ideas. Emphasize that even small shifts can make a big difference. Introduce the Screen Time Challenge Worksheet.

Your Screen Time Challenge!

On your Screen Time Challenge Worksheet:

  1. Choose 1-2 alternatives you want to try.
  2. Make a commitment: How will you reduce your screen time this week to make space for these activities?

Instruct students to complete the Screen Time Challenge Worksheet, choosing one or two specific alternatives and a commitment. Walk around and offer support.

Commit to Connect (Offline!)

Sharing is caring! Who wants to share their chosen alternative and commitment?

Remember: It's about finding balance, not eliminating screens entirely. Make space for a brighter, more engaged life!

Ask for a few volunteers to share their commitments. Reinforce the positive impact of intentional screen use. Encourage them to try their challenge.

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Worksheet

Screen Time Reflection Worksheet

Name: ___________________________ Date: __________________

Part 1: Your Digital Day

  1. On a typical school day, how many hours do you estimate you spend on your phone or other screens outside of schoolwork? (Be honest!)



  2. What are your top 3 most-used social media apps or websites?

    1. ____________________________________
    2. ____________________________________
    3. ____________________________________

  3. What are some of the reasons you use social media? (Check all that apply)

    • To connect with friends/family
    • For entertainment (videos, memes, etc.)
    • To see what others are doing (FOMO - Fear of Missing Out)
    • To relieve boredom
    • To learn new things or follow interests
    • To share my own life/creations
    • Other: ____________________________________


Part 2: How Does it Feel?

  1. Think about a time you spent a long time scrolling or using social media. How did you feel during that time?



  2. How did you feel after that long period of screen time? (e.g., energized, tired, happy, anxious, informed, distracted, inspired, left out, calm)





  3. Has social media ever made you feel pressured to look or act a certain way? Explain briefly.





  4. What is one positive thing you get from using social media?



  5. What is one negative thing you experience from using social media?



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Worksheet

Screen Time Challenge Worksheet

Name: ___________________________ Date: __________________

Part 1: My Favorite Non-Screen Activities

Based on our brainstorm and your own interests, list 3 activities you genuinely enjoy (or want to try!) that DO NOT involve a screen:



Part 2: My Screen Time Commitment

This week, I challenge myself to make a change in my screen time habits. Choose ONE of the following commitments, or create your own:

  • Option A: 30-Minute Swap. I will choose one of the activities from Part 1 and swap 30 minutes of my usual screen time for that activity each day for the next 5 days.
  • Option B: Social Media Free Hour. I will pick one hour each day (e.g., during dinner, before bed, after school) and commit to being completely off social media during that time for the next 5 days.
  • Option C: Digital Sunset. I will put my phone/screens away at least 1 hour before I go to bed each night for the next 5 days.
  • Option D: My Own Challenge! Describe your personal commitment below.


    My chosen commitment is (circle one or write your own): A / B / C / D (My Own Challenge)

If you chose 'My Own Challenge,' describe it here:







My specific goal for the next 5 days is to:








### Part 3: My Alternative Activities

Which 1-2 non-screen activities from Part 1 (or new ideas!) will you use to fill this time?






### Part 4: Looking Ahead

What do you hope to gain by completing this challenge?






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