Active learning ideas
Digital Wellbeing and Screen Time addresses the physical, mental, and social impacts of our constant connection to technology. Students reflect on their own habits, examining the psychological hooks used by apps to keep users engaged. This topic aligns with the NCCA's focus on self-awareness and personal management, encouraging students to move from passive consumption to intentional use.
Activity 01
Students identify one app they use frequently and list the features that keep them coming back, such as streaks or notifications. They pair up to discuss if these features improve their wellbeing or just increase screen time.
What are my rights as a digital citizen?
Activity 02
Set up stations focused on different aspects of digital health: physical (posture/eyes), mental (focus/anxiety), and social (FOMO). At each station, groups trial a specific strategy, like a 20-20-20 eye rule or a notification audit.
How should I respond to cyberbullying?
Activity 03
Groups research the impact of blue light and late-night scrolling on sleep cycles. They create a simple infographic or 'digital sunset' plan to share with the class, suggesting practical ways to disconnect before bed.
What does respectful online communication look like?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Digital wellbeing just means spending less time on my phone.
It is about the quality of time spent and how it makes you feel, not just the quantity. Using a 'mood tracker' activity alongside screen time data helps students see that an hour of creative work feels different than an hour of mindless scrolling.
I can multitask effectively with my phone next to me while studying.
Research shows 'task-switching' significantly reduces focus and retention. A simple classroom experiment involving a short memory task with and without phone distractions can provide immediate, persuasive evidence to students.
Methods used in this brief