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My Digital Wellness Blueprint

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Tia McMahon

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

My Digital Wellness Blueprint

Students will analyze their screen time habits, understand social media's impact on well-being, and apply strategies for healthy digital boundaries to promote digital wellness.

This lesson helps students develop a balanced and mindful relationship with technology, protecting their mental health and fostering positive online experiences.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and practical application.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Digital Wellness Slide Deck, Screen Time Self-Assessment Worksheet, Digital Wellness Discussion Prompts, and My Digital Wellness Project Guide

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Digital Wellness Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print copies of the Screen Time Self-Assessment Worksheet for each student.
    - Ensure access to a smartboard or projector for displaying the slide deck.
    - Review the Digital Wellness Discussion Prompts and be ready to facilitate.
    - Familiarize yourself with the My Digital Wellness Project Guide.

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion: "How many of you feel like you spend too much time on your phones or devices? What are some reasons why?"
    - Introduce the concept of digital wellness using Digital Wellness Slide Deck (Slides 1-3).
    - Explain the lesson's objective: to create a personal digital wellness blueprint.

Step 2

Screen Time Self-Assessment (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Screen Time Self-Assessment Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually, reflecting on their current digital habits.
    - Facilitate a brief, anonymous sharing session where students can share one insight from their self-assessment without revealing personal details.

Step 3

Understanding Impact & Strategies (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Use Digital Wellness Slide Deck (Slides 4-7) to discuss the impact of social media and screen time on well-being.
    - Introduce strategies for healthy digital boundaries and mindful technology use.
    - Engage students with Digital Wellness Discussion Prompts in small groups or as a whole class.

Step 4

Introduction to Digital Wellness Project (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Introduce the 'My Digital Wellness Blueprint' project using the My Digital Wellness Project Guide.
    - Explain the components of the project and the timeline for completion.
    - Allow students to brainstorm initial ideas or ask questions about the project.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Conclude by reiterating the importance of digital wellness.
    - Ask students to share one new strategy they plan to try.
    - Assign the 'My Digital Wellness Blueprint' project as homework.
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Slide Deck

My Digital Wellness Blueprint

How much time do you spend online? Do you ever feel like your devices control you instead of the other way around?

Welcome students and kick off the lesson with an engaging question. The goal is to get them thinking about their own tech use without judgment.

What is Digital Wellness?

It's about having a healthy, balanced, and intentional relationship with technology.

It's not about ditching your devices, but about using them in a way that supports your well-being, not detracts from it.

Define digital wellness clearly. Emphasize that it's about balance and conscious choices, not giving up technology entirely.

Why Does Digital Wellness Matter?

Your digital life impacts your real life!

  • Mental Health: Too much screen time or social media can affect your mood and stress levels.
  • Focus & Sleep: Devices can distract you from homework and disrupt your sleep.
  • Relationships: Being glued to your phone can affect your connections with friends and family.
  • Safety: Understanding how to protect yourself online is a huge part of being well digitally.

Discuss why digital wellness is crucial for their age group. Connect it to mental health, focus, and real-life interactions.

My Digital Habits: A Self-Assessment

It's time to take an honest look at your screen time.

  • How much time do you really spend on different apps?
  • When do you use your devices the most?
  • How do you feel after extended screen time?

This isn't about judgment, but about understanding!

Transition to self-assessment. Explain the purpose of the worksheet and how it will help them understand their own habits.

Social Media: Friend or Foe?

Social media can be great for connecting, learning, and expressing yourself. But it also has a flip side.

The Good: Connecting, learning, creativity.

The Challenge:

  • Comparison Trap: Seeing only the 'best' of others can make us feel inadequate.
  • FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out): Constantly checking what others are doing.
  • Cyberbullying: The negative side of online interactions.
  • Addiction: The endless scroll can be hard to stop!

Lead a discussion on the positive and negative impacts of social media. Encourage students to share their experiences and observations.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

How can you take control back?

  1. Designate 'No Phone' Zones: Mealtimes, bedrooms, homework time.
  2. Schedule Digital Detoxes: Take breaks from devices, even for an hour or a day.
  3. Turn Off Notifications: You control when you engage, not your phone.
  4. Mindful Scrolling: Ask yourself, 'Why am I picking up my phone right now?'
  5. Prioritize Face-to-Face: Make time for real-world connections.

Introduce concrete strategies students can implement. Emphasize that small changes can make a big difference.

Your Digital Wellness Blueprint

Now it's time to create your plan for a healthy digital life.

Your blueprint will outline:

  • Your current digital habits.
  • Goals for mindful technology use.
  • Strategies for setting boundaries and improving your well-being.

This is your personalized guide to digital balance!

Introduce the project. Explain that their blueprint is a personal plan for digital wellness. Highlight the independence and creativity allowed.

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Worksheet

Screen Time Self-Assessment: My Digital Habits

Instructions: Be honest with yourself! This worksheet is for your own reflection to understand your current digital habits. There are no right or wrong answers.

Part 1: My Daily Digital Diet

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



  2. Which apps or activities take up most of your screen time? List the top 3.










  3. What times of day do you use your devices the most? (e.g., morning, after school, before bed)






  4. How often do you find yourself checking your phone or device without a specific reason?

    • Constantly (every few minutes)
    • Often (every 30-60 minutes)
    • Sometimes (a few times a day)
    • Rarely

Part 2: How Devices Make Me Feel

  1. How do you usually feel after spending a long time on your devices?

    • Energized and informed
    • Relaxed and entertained
    • Tired or drained
    • Anxious or stressed
    • Unproductive or guilty
    • Other:


  2. Do you ever feel like your device use interferes with:

    • Sleep? (Yes / No) If yes, how?



    • Homework or chores? (Yes / No) If yes, how?



    • Spending time with family/friends in person? (Yes / No) If yes, how?



  3. What is one positive thing technology brings to your life?






  4. What is one negative thing about your current technology use?






Part 3: Thinking Ahead

  1. If you could change one thing about your digital habits, what would it be?











  2. What is one small step you think you could take today to improve your digital wellness?











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Discussion

Digital Wellness Discussion Prompts

Instructions: Discuss these questions in small groups or as a whole class. Share your thoughts respectfully and listen actively to your classmates' perspectives.

Part 1: Reflecting on Our Digital Lives

  1. After completing the Screen Time Self-Assessment Worksheet, what was one surprising thing you learned about your own digital habits?



  2. What are some of the biggest benefits you get from using social media or other digital platforms?



  3. What are some of the biggest challenges or negative feelings you experience because of social media or screen time?



  4. Do you think companies that make social media apps design them to be addictive? Why or why not?



Part 2: Impact and Well-being

  1. How do you think constant notifications affect our ability to focus on schoolwork or conversations with people around us?



  2. Have you ever compared yourself negatively to someone you saw online? How did that make you feel, and what did you do about it?



  3. What role does sleep play in your overall well-being, and how might device use before bed impact your sleep?



Part 3: Strategies for Balance

  1. What are some specific 'no phone' zones or times you could create in your own life to help set healthy boundaries?



  2. Beyond just reducing screen time, what does 'mindful' technology use look like to you?



  3. What advice would you give a younger student about using technology in a healthy way?



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Project Guide

My Digital Wellness Blueprint Project Guide

Project Objective

To create a personalized "Digital Wellness Blueprint" that helps you build a healthier relationship with technology, promoting mindful use and protecting your well-being.

Project Description

In this project, you will design a personal plan that outlines your current digital habits, sets realistic goals for mindful technology use, and identifies practical strategies for establishing healthy digital boundaries. Your blueprint will serve as your guide to maintaining a balanced and positive online presence.

Deliverables

Your "Digital Wellness Blueprint" can be presented in one of the following formats:

  • Digital Presentation (e.g., Google Slides, Canva): 5-7 slides that clearly outline all sections below.
  • Poster Board/Infographic: A visually appealing physical or digital poster that includes all required information.
  • Short Essay/Report (500-750 words): A written document that thoroughly addresses all sections below.
  • Creative Option: Propose another creative way to present your blueprint (e.g., a short video, a series of journal entries) for teacher approval.

Blueprint Sections to Include:

  1. My Current Digital Landscape

    • Screen Time Snapshot: Summarize your findings from the Screen Time Self-Assessment Worksheet. What were your top 3 apps/activities? When do you use devices most? What was one surprising insight?
    • Feelings Check-in: How do you generally feel after extended screen time? Describe both positive and negative feelings.

  2. Impact Analysis

    • Social Media's Influence: Discuss one positive and one challenging impact social media has had on your well-being or relationships.
    • Distraction & Sleep: How has device use affected your focus on school or your sleep patterns?

  3. My Digital Wellness Goals

    • Specific Goals: Set 2-3 measurable and realistic goals for improving your digital wellness. (e.g., "Reduce recreational screen time by 30 minutes daily," "No phone in bedroom after 9 PM," "Engage in one screen-free activity each day.")

  4. Strategies for Success

    • Boundary Setting: Describe at least 3 specific strategies you will use to create healthy digital boundaries (e.g., 'no phone' zones, turning off notifications, scheduling tech breaks).
    • Mindful Use Practices: Explain how you will practice mindful technology use (e.g., asking 'why' before picking up your phone, being present in face-to-face interactions).

  5. Reflection & Future Plan

    • Why This Matters: Briefly explain why creating and following this blueprint is important for your overall health and happiness.
    • Staying on Track: How will you remind yourself of your blueprint and stay committed to your goals?

Assessment Criteria

Your Digital Wellness Blueprint will be assessed on the following:

  • Completeness: All required sections and information are included.
  • Thoughtfulness & Depth: Evidence of genuine reflection and critical thinking about personal digital habits and well-being.
  • Clarity & Organization: The blueprint is clear, well-organized, and easy to understand.
  • Relevance of Goals & Strategies: Goals are realistic and measurable; strategies are practical and directly address identified challenges.
  • Presentation: The chosen format is effectively used, visually appealing (if applicable), and enhances the communication of your blueprint.
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