Part 2: Is Technology Addiction As Dangerous As Drug & Alcohol Addiction For Teens?
Part 3: Technology Addiction Concern, Controversy, and Finding Balance
Technology Addiction
Overview
This lesson starts by having students take a technology addiction quiz followed by a video titled Is Technology Addiction As Dangerous As Drug & Alcohol Addiction For Teens?
The lesson wraps up by diving a litle deeper into Common Sense Media's Technology Addiction Research Brief and giving students the chance to expand on some of the suggestions of developing a more balanced digital lifestyle.
Quiz: Are You Addicted to Technology?
Some students might want to take time to quietly reflect after taking this quiz/receiving their results. This is individual reflection is encouraged - as some of these results might be triggering depending on each student situation.
Students should not feel pressued to share with the class, but some might want to. This can be a brief discussion if it has turned into a classroom conversation (which is great!) An open, non-judgemental, inclusive classroom is key to honest and productive conversations.
Consider this article on inclusive teaching: https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/building-inclusive-classrooms/inclusive-teaching-strategies
Take this quiz to see if you are additcted to technology. Are you surprised? What do you think? Are you concerned about your current level of technology addiction?
If the link does not work, copy and paste this link below into your web browser:
https://www.mentalup.co/blog/technology-addiction-test
title image: Photo by Julie Ricard on Unsplash
Video Conversation Starter: Is Technology Addiction As Dangerous As Drug & Alcohol Addiction For Teens?
Some students might even be willing to share how many hours per week (or even per day) that they spend on their devices. Most cellphones will tell you your statistics by following these steps: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Scroll down beneath the graph and tap See All Activity
Consider taking this conversation further with an anonymous survey to let students share (without sharing their name) how many hours they spend on their phones. This can be done at a paper and pen level, but to display the results might be pretty eye-opening for all parties! If you'd like to collect data online, consider Google Forms, Survey Monkey, Typeform, etc.
This anonymous survey is simply an optional activity and a great way to get some honest feedback from your students.
Watch this video after taking the quiz. Can you relate? What are you feeling? Share with your elbow partner what your initial response is to this video. After 3 minutes the teacher will call on a few groups to share out - and let the entire class hear the student perspectives on this video.
If the video link does not work, copy and paste this link below into your web browser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ5IEB9BDhM
Finding Balance (Don't worry... we aren't taking away any cell phones!)
Here is an example for the approach carving out times and places to disconnect: follow this goal from https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/ on how you can spend more time outside without devices! The entire purpose of 1000 Hours Outside is to attempt to match nature time with screen time. If kids can consume media through screens 1200 hours a year on average then the time is there and at least some of it can and should be shifted towards a more productive and healthy outcome!
Students can share their ideas and perspectives in many different ways. Encourage personal examples/testimonies of what has helped them create a more balance digital lifestyle, goal-setting examples, video or electonic presentations, etc. Creating a positive, collaborative, and inclusive environment is key. Students will feel more comfortable sharing experiences and feelings toward this subject (which is often a sensitive topic) if they feel valued and welcomed in their classroom environment.
Research on strategies to mitigate problematic use is limited, but there are several promising approaches to developing a more balanced digital lifestyle. A balanced approach includes:
- Fostering awareness of media and self
- Embracing quality media usage
- Selective single-tasking
- Carving out times and places to disconnect
- Nurturing relationships and face-to-face conversation
Students: Share with the class an idea you liked from the list above. How can you develop a more balance digital lifestyle? Give some real examples and concerte ways you can acomplish these goals.
"Balance does not mean eliminating media use; it doesn’t necessarily mean reducing media use. Balance is about respecting quality of life, both online and offline."
- Quote from PDF titled Technology Addiction Concern, Controversy, and Finding Balance.