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Scrolling Sickness?

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Joseph Malvezzi

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Scrolling Sickness?

Students will be able to identify signs of social media/phone dependency, understand its potential impacts on their well-being, and explore strategies for healthier digital habits.

In an increasingly digital world, understanding and managing phone and social media use is crucial for student well-being, academic success, and mental health. This lesson provides tools for self-awareness and healthy habits.

Audience

9th-12th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and collaborative brainstorming.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?, Warm Up: Digital Habits Check-in, Worksheet: My Digital Footprint & Feelings, and Discussion Guide: Healthy Digital Habits

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Lesson Plan: Scrolling Sickness? and all linked materials: Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?, Warm Up: Digital Habits Check-in, Worksheet: My Digital Footprint & Feelings, and Discussion Guide: Healthy Digital Habits.
  • Ensure projector/smartboard is set up for the Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?.
  • Print copies of the Warm Up: Digital Habits Check-in (one per student).
  • Print copies of the Worksheet: My Digital Footprint & Feelings (one per student).
  • Prepare whiteboard or chart paper for brainstorming discussion points.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Digital Habits Check-in

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Warm Up: Digital Habits Check-in.
  • Ask students to complete it individually and reflect on their initial thoughts.
  • Briefly discuss 1-2 responses as a whole class to gauge initial perspectives. (See Slide 1 of the Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?)

Step 2

Introduction: What is Dependency?

5 minutes

  • Present Slide 2 and Slide 3 of the Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?.
  • Define phone/social media dependency in an age-appropriate way.
  • Share a few relatable examples of how this might look for teens.

Step 3

Individual Reflection: My Digital Footprint & Feelings

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Worksheet: My Digital Footprint & Feelings.
  • Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually, reflecting on their own usage patterns and emotional responses to social media.
  • Circulate to offer support and answer questions. (See Slide 4 of the Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?)

Step 4

Group Discussion: Healthy Digital Habits

8 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
  • Provide each group with the Discussion Guide: Healthy Digital Habits or display key questions from Slide 5 of the Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?.
  • Facilitate a brief whole-class share-out of key insights and strategies identified by the groups. Emphasize practical, actionable steps.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Personal Commitment

2 minutes

  • Display Slide 6 of the Slide Deck: Scrolling Sickness?.
  • Ask students to silently commit to one small change they can make to foster healthier digital habits.
  • Thank students for their participation and emphasize that building healthy habits is an ongoing process.
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Slide Deck

Scrolling Sickness?

Understanding Our Digital Habits

Warm-Up: Take 2 minutes to complete the 'Digital Habits Check-in' worksheet. No need to share out unless you want to!

Welcome students. Explain that today's lesson is about understanding our relationship with technology. Introduce the warm-up activity. Explain that the warm-up is a quick, anonymous check-in.

What is Phone/Social Media Dependency?

It's when using your phone or social media starts to impact your life negatively, even if you want to cut back.

Think: Is it controlling you or are you controlling it?

Introduce the concept of dependency. Emphasize that it's not about being 'bad' but about being aware. Ask students what 'dependency' means in general before applying it to phones/social media. Use relatable examples.

Signs to Look For...

  • Constantly checking: Even when there's no notification.
  • Neglecting other activities: Hobbies, homework, friends.
  • Feeling anxious or restless: When you can't access your phone.
  • Spending more time online than planned: And struggling to stop.
  • Impact on sleep or mood: Feeling tired, irritable, or distracted.
  • Hiding usage: From parents or friends.

Discuss these signs with students. Ask for examples (without naming names). Encourage students to think about how these signs might manifest in their own lives or the lives of people they know. Stress that experiencing one or two occasionally is normal, but a pattern indicates potential dependency.

Your Digital Footprint & Feelings

Let's take some time to reflect on your own digital habits.

Complete the Worksheet: My Digital Footprint & Feelings quietly and honestly. This is for your reflection.

Introduce the worksheet. Explain that it's a personal reflection and there are no right or wrong answers. Reassure them that it's for their own understanding, not for grading or sharing unless they choose to. Give clear instructions and time.

Finding Balance: Healthy Digital Habits

In small groups, discuss:

  1. What are some healthy ways to use social media/phones?
  2. What strategies can help you reduce unwanted screen time?
  3. How can you support friends in developing healthier habits?

Explain the small group discussion. Provide the Discussion Guide: Healthy Digital Habits or display the questions. Circulate among groups to facilitate. After a few minutes, bring the class back together for a brief share-out of strategies.

Your Next Step

What's one small change you can make this week to build a healthier relationship with your phone or social media?

Think about it, commit to it.

Thank you for a great discussion!

Conclude the lesson by asking students to think about one small, actionable change they can make. Emphasize that it's about progress, not perfection. Thank them for their honest participation.

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Warm Up

Digital Habits Check-in

Instructions: Please answer the following questions honestly. This is for your own reflection and will not be collected or graded.

  1. On a typical school day, how many hours do you estimate you spend on your phone or social media apps?


  2. What is the first thing you usually do when you wake up in the morning?


  3. What is the last thing you usually do before going to bed at night?


  4. Do you ever feel like you need to check your phone, even if you don't have a notification? If so, describe the feeling.





  5. Name one positive thing about using social media/your phone.


  6. Name one negative thing about using social media/your phone.


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lenny

Worksheet

My Digital Footprint & Feelings

Instructions: Reflect on your personal phone and social media use. Answer the questions thoughtfully and honestly. This is for your own understanding.

Part 1: My Digital Habits

  1. List the top 3 social media apps or websites you use most frequently.


  2. What activities do you typically do on these platforms? (e.g., scroll, chat, post, watch videos, play games)


  3. When do you typically find yourself reaching for your phone the most? (e.g., when bored, stressed, waiting, before bed)





  4. Do you ever feel like you're missing out if you don't check your phone or social media for a while? Describe this feeling.





Part 2: Impact & Feelings

  1. How does spending time on social media or your phone generally make you feel? (Circle all that apply)

    • Happy
    • Connected
    • Inspired
    • Anxious
    • Stressed
    • Jealous
    • Tired
    • Bored
    • Productive
    • Distracted
    • Other (please specify):


  2. Have you ever felt like your phone or social media use has negatively impacted your sleep, homework, or relationships? Explain.










  3. Think about a time you tried to reduce your screen time. What was easy about it? What was challenging?










Part 3: Looking Forward

  1. What is one thing you appreciate about technology and social media?


  2. What is one aspect of your digital habits that you would like to change or improve?


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lenny

Discussion

Discussion Guide: Healthy Digital Habits

Instructions: In your small groups, discuss the following questions. Be respectful of each other's opinions and experiences.

Part 1: Observing Our World

  1. What are some common unhealthy phone or social media habits you observe in people around you (friends, family, even adults)? How do these habits seem to affect them?





  2. What positive impacts has social media had on your life or the lives of your peers? (e.g., staying connected, learning new things, creativity)





Part 2: Strategies for Balance

  1. What are some practical strategies or "digital boundaries" that individuals can set for themselves to reduce unwanted screen time? (Think about notifications, specific times, certain apps, etc.)










  2. How can we encourage each other to develop healthier digital habits in a supportive way, without judgment?





  3. What are some alternative activities you could engage in when you feel the urge to mindlessly scroll or check your phone?





Part 3: Taking Action

  1. As a group, brainstorm one or two collective actions or norms your class or friend group could adopt to foster a healthier digital environment.





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lenny