Lesson Plan
Mindful Technology: Balancing Screen Time and Wellbeing
Understand the impact of screen time on wellbeing and develop strategies for balance.
This lesson helps students improve focus and mental health by managing screen time.
Audience
Middle School Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions and activities
Materials
Prep
Prepare Lesson Materials
30 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Student Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare the Screen Time Tracker for distribution.
- Set up any necessary technology for presenting the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction to Screen Time
10 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion on what screen time is.
- Ask students how much time they think they spend on screens daily.
- Present key statistics from the Slide Deck about average screen time.
Step 2
Impact on Wellbeing
15 minutes
- Use the Slide Deck to explain how excessive screen time can affect mental and physical health.
- Encourage students to share their own experiences and feelings about screen time.
Step 3
Strategies for Balance
20 minutes
- Discuss strategies for balancing screen time, such as setting time limits and taking breaks.
- Have students complete the Student Worksheet to reflect on their own screen time habits and set personal goals.
Step 4
Conclusion and Reflection
15 minutes
- Distribute the Screen Time Tracker for students to use over the next week.
- Encourage students to reflect on their screen time and make adjustments as needed.
- Wrap up with a group discussion on what they learned and how they plan to implement changes.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Mindful Technology
Balancing Screen Time and Wellbeing
Today's Focus:
- Understanding screen time
- Impact on mental and physical health
- Strategies for balance
Welcome students and introduce the topic of mindful technology. Explain that today's lesson will focus on understanding screen time and its impact on wellbeing.
What is Screen Time?
Screen time refers to the amount of time spent using devices with screens such as smartphones, computers, and TVs.
Average Screen Time:
- Teens: 7 hours/day
- Adults: 5 hours/day
Discuss what screen time is and ask students to estimate their daily screen usage. Use this slide to present average statistics to provide context.
Impact on Wellbeing
Excessive screen time can affect:
- Mental Health: Anxiety, depression
- Physical Health: Eye strain, poor sleep
- Social Skills: Reduced face-to-face interactions
Explain how excessive screen time can lead to issues such as eye strain, sleep problems, and reduced physical activity. Encourage students to share their experiences.
Strategies for Balance
Tips for Managing Screen Time:
- Set daily limits
- Take regular breaks
- Use apps to track usage
- Prioritize offline activities
Introduce strategies for managing screen time. Encourage students to think about which strategies might work for them.
Reflection and Next Steps
Reflect on your screen time habits:
- What changes can you make?
- Set a personal goal for the week.
Use the Screen Time Tracker to monitor your progress.
Conclude the lesson by encouraging students to reflect on their screen time habits and set personal goals for improvement. Distribute the screen time tracker for their use.
Worksheet
Screen Time Reflection Worksheet
Part 1: Understanding Your Screen Time
-
Estimate Your Daily Screen Time
How many hours do you think you spend on screens each day? List the devices you use most often.- Devices:
- Estimated Hours:
- Devices:
-
Reflect on Your Screen Time
How does your estimated screen time compare to the average screen time for teens (7 hours/day) or adults (5 hours/day)?
Part 2: Impact on Wellbeing
-
Identify Effects
Have you noticed any effects of screen time on your mental or physical health? List any positive or negative impacts.- Positive Impacts:
- Negative Impacts:
- Positive Impacts:
-
Personal Experiences
Share a personal experience where screen time affected your mood or physical state.
Part 3: Strategies for Balance
-
Set a Screen Time Goal
What is one realistic goal you can set to manage your screen time better?
-
Choose a Strategy
Which strategy from the lesson do you think will help you achieve your goal? Explain why.
-
Plan for Implementation
Outline a plan for how you will implement this strategy over the next week.
Use this worksheet to guide your reflection and goal-setting process. Remember, the aim is to find a balance that supports your wellbeing and enhances your daily life. For tracking your progress, refer to the Screen Time Tracker.
Worksheet
Weekly Screen Time Tracker
Instructions
Use this tracker to monitor your screen time over the next week. Each day, log the total hours spent on screens and reflect on how you felt. This will help you become more aware of your habits and make adjustments as needed.
Day 1
- Total Screen Time (hours):
- Reflection: How did you feel today after spending this amount of time on screens?
Day 2
- Total Screen Time (hours):
- Reflection: How did you feel today after spending this amount of time on screens?
Day 3
- Total Screen Time (hours):
- Reflection: How did you feel today after spending this amount of time on screens?
Day 4
- Total Screen Time (hours):
- Reflection: How did you feel today after spending this amount of time on screens?
Day 5
- Total Screen Time (hours):
- Reflection: How did you feel today after spending this amount of time on screens?
Day 6
- Total Screen Time (hours):
- Reflection: How did you feel today after spending this amount of time on screens?
Day 7
- Total Screen Time (hours):
- Reflection: How did you feel today after spending this amount of time on screens?
At the end of the week, review your entries and consider any patterns or changes you notice. Use this information to adjust your screen time habits and improve your wellbeing.