• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Screen-Time Habits

user image

Tyler Calla

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Building Better Digital Routines

Students will be able to identify personal unhealthy screen-time patterns and develop at least three personalized strategies for healthier digital routines.

Understanding and managing screen time is crucial for mental well-being, academic success, and social connections in today's digital world.

Audience

10th Grade Group

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and collaborative strategy development.

Materials

Habit Hacking Your Screen Time (slide-deck), My Screen-Time Habit Tracker (worksheet), and Sharing Success Strategies (discussion)

Prep

Prepare Materials & Room

15 minutes

  • Review the Building Better Digital Routines Lesson Plan and associated materials.
    - Ensure access to the Habit Hacking Your Screen Time Slide Deck and projection equipment.
    - Print copies of the My Screen-Time Habit Tracker Worksheet for each student.
    - Arrange the room for small group discussion, ensuring students can comfortably share and interact.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

5 minutes

  • Begin with a brief, engaging question to prompt thinking about screen time. (e.g., "What's the first thing you do when you pick up your phone?")
    - Introduce the session's purpose: to understand personal screen-time habits and develop healthier routines.
    - Set a positive and non-judgmental tone, emphasizing shared learning.

Step 2

Exploring Screen-Time Habits

10 minutes

  • Present key slides from the Habit Hacking Your Screen Time Slide Deck to define 'unhealthy screen-time patterns' and introduce the concept of digital wellness.
    - Distribute the My Screen-Time Habit Tracker Worksheet and guide students through the self-reflection questions.
    - Encourage honest self-assessment, emphasizing that awareness is the first step.

Step 3

Developing Strategies

15 minutes

  • Facilitate a small group discussion using prompts from the Sharing Success Strategies Discussion to explore common challenges and potential solutions.
    - Introduce various strategies for healthier digital routines (e.g., setting time limits, creating tech-free zones, scheduling 'digital detoxes').
    - Guide students to identify at least three personalized strategies they can implement, noting them on their My Screen-Time Habit Tracker Worksheet.

Step 4

Sharing & Committing

10 minutes

  • Invite students to share one personalized strategy they plan to try with the group, explaining why they chose it.
    - Encourage peer feedback and support, allowing students to learn from each other's ideas.
    - Discuss the importance of consistency and self-compassion when building new habits.
    - Collect the My Screen-Time Habit Tracker Worksheets as a record of commitment (optional).

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

5 minutes

  • Summarize the main takeaways: awareness of habits, personalized strategies, and the power of small changes.
    - Provide resources for further support if applicable (e.g., school counselor, trusted websites).
    - Thank students for their participation and commitment to digital wellness.
lenny

Slide Deck

Habit Hacking Your Screen Time

Building Better Digital Routines for a Healthier You!

Welcome students. Begin with an engaging question to set the stage for self-reflection. Ask: "What's the first thing you do when you pick up your phone or device in the morning?" Listen to a few responses. Introduce the purpose of the session: to explore our screen time habits and find ways to make them healthier. Emphasize that this is about finding balance, not eliminating screens entirely.

What's Your Digital Footprint?

How much time do you spend on screens each day?

  • Gaming
  • Social Media
  • Streaming Videos
  • Homework / Learning
  • Communication

This slide is designed to provoke thought and initiate a quick, informal poll. Ask students to consider how much time they spend on screens daily. You can ask for a show of hands for different hour ranges (e.g., "Who spends 1-3 hours? 3-5 hours? More than 5 hours?"). This helps to normalize the discussion and show that many people spend significant time on screens. Transition by stating that understanding our current habits is the first step to changing them.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Screen Time

What does balanced screen time look like?

  • Healthy: Using screens purposefully (learning, creating, connecting), maintaining real-life balance.
  • Unhealthy: Interferes with sleep, school, relationships, physical activity, mental well-being.

Explain the difference between healthy and unhealthy screen time. Healthy use includes using screens for learning, creative expression, connecting with friends/family, and necessary tasks, without it negatively impacting other areas of life. Unhealthy use is when screen time interferes with sleep, schoolwork, relationships, physical activity, or causes feelings of anxiety/stress. Ask for student examples of each category to make it relatable.

What is Digital Wellness?

It's about being intentional and mindful in how you interact with technology to support your overall well-being.

  • Intentional Use: Why are you using this screen right now?
  • Mindful Engagement: Are you truly present, or just scrolling?
  • Setting Boundaries: Creating rules for yourself and your devices.

Introduce the idea of 'digital wellness' as an important part of overall well-being. Explain that it's about being intentional and mindful of how we interact with technology. It's not about being 'anti-tech,' but about being smart and empowered users. This concept leads directly into the idea of creating better habits.

Identify Your Patterns

Before we change, we need to understand.

  • When: What times of day are you most on screens?
  • Where: Are certain locations (bedroom, dinner table) screen-heavy?
  • Why: Are you bored, stressed, avoiding something, or genuinely engaged?

Explain that identifying patterns is key. Encourage students to think about when and why they use screens excessively or unproductively. Prompt them to consider triggers (e.g., boredom, stress, social pressure). This slide sets up the My Screen-Time Habit Tracker Worksheet by explaining why they will be tracking their habits.

Taking Control: Habit Hacking!

Small, intentional changes can lead to big results.

  • Awareness: Knowing your habits.
  • Strategies: Creating new routines and boundaries.
  • Consistency: Sticking with your plan.
  • Reflection: Adjusting as needed.

Transition to the idea of taking control. Introduce the concept of 'habit hacking' – making small, deliberate changes to reshape our routines. Explain that they will be moving from awareness to action. This slide provides a good lead-in to discussing the worksheet and developing personalized strategies.

Your Digital Wellness Journey

You have the power to create a healthier relationship with technology.

  • Be mindful, be intentional, be well!

Conclude the slides by reinforcing the main goal: empowering students to build digital routines that support their well-being. Ask them to think about one small change they could make today. This also sets up the upcoming discussion and sharing.

lenny

Worksheet

My Screen-Time Habit Tracker

Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________

Section 1: Understanding My Current Habits

Think about your typical day. When, where, and why do you tend to use screens the most?

  1. When do I use screens? (e.g., first thing in the morning, during meals, before bed, late at night, during breaks)






  2. Where do I use screens? (e.g., in my bedroom, at the dinner table, during class, while walking)






  3. Why do I use screens at these times/places? (e.g., boredom, stress, to connect with friends, for entertainment, out of habit)






  4. What types of content/apps do I spend the most time on? (e.g., social media, gaming, streaming videos, messaging)






Section 2: Reflecting on the Impact

Consider how your screen-time habits affect different areas of your life.

  1. How does my screen time impact my sleep? (e.g., difficulty falling asleep, less sleep, tired the next day)






  2. How does my screen time impact my schoolwork or focus? (e.g., distractions, procrastination, less time for homework)






  3. How does my screen time impact my mood or relationships? (e.g., feeling anxious, comparing myself to others, less in-person interaction)






  4. Are there any activities I miss out on because of screen time? (e.g., hobbies, sports, spending time with family/friends)






Section 3: Setting Goals for Healthier Screen Time

Based on your reflections, what is one area you would like to improve regarding your screen time?

  • My Goal:



Section 4: Personalized Strategies

Brainstorm at least three specific actions you can take to achieve your goal and build healthier digital routines. These should be realistic and actionable!

  1. Strategy 1: (e.g., "No phone in my bedroom after 9 PM," "Set a timer for social media use")






  2. Strategy 2:






  3. Strategy 3:









    I commit to trying these strategies for the next week!

Student Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________

lenny
lenny

Discussion

Sharing Success Strategies: Building Digital Wellness Together

This discussion guide is designed to facilitate a supportive conversation among students about their screen-time habits and the strategies they are developing.

Part 1: Opening the Conversation (5-10 minutes)

  1. Icebreaker: "What's one thing you love about technology, and one thing you find challenging?"
  2. "Looking at your My Screen-Time Habit Tracker Worksheet, what was one surprising thing you noticed about your own screen usage?"
  3. "How do you think our screen-time habits are influenced by our friends, family, or even social media itself?"

Part 2: Exploring Challenges and Impacts (15-20 minutes)

  1. "What are some common challenges you face when trying to reduce or manage your screen time? (e.g., fear of missing out, boredom, procrastination)"
  2. "Can anyone share a specific instance where their screen time negatively impacted their sleep, schoolwork, or relationships? What did that feel like?"
  3. "Sometimes, we use screens to avoid other feelings or tasks. Has anyone noticed themselves doing this? What was the underlying feeling?"
  4. "What are some of the biggest distractions screens create in your daily life? How do you try to overcome them?

Part 3: Brainstorming & Sharing Strategies (15-20 minutes)

  1. "Based on our earlier discussion and your worksheet, what is one strategy you're excited to try for healthier screen time? Why did you choose it?"
  2. "Has anyone tried a strategy that really worked for them? What was it, and why do you think it was effective?"
  3. "What are some creative ways we can make our 'tech-free' times more enjoyable or productive? (e.g., new hobbies, outdoor activities, connecting with others)"
  4. "How can we support each other as a group in building healthier digital routines? What kind of accountability or encouragement would be helpful?"

Part 4: Closing & Commitment (5 minutes)

  1. "What is one new idea or strategy you heard today that you might consider trying?"
  2. "Remember, building new habits takes time and practice. What's one small step you can commit to taking in the next 24 hours?"
lenny
lenny