Summary: This lesson has four sections. Section 1 is self- and peer assessment. Students are asked to use their phones, laptops, and memories to figure out what apps and websites they use the most. Then they survey classmates about the same things. Then they are asked to compare that data to national survey data on teens’ screen time. Section 2 focuses on four key problems related to phone and social media use (distraction, addiction, anxiety/mental health, and body image). Section 3 has students write down and evaluate different solutions to phone and social media use that have been tried. Section 4 is the extension. Students are asked to identify three solutions that might help with problematic phone use/social media use and then choose one to create a flyer/brochure about and to pitch to the class.

Teaching notes:

• 1) This is one where the time really varies based on the standard you set for the extension activity. If you have the students pitch their ideas and do work good enough to pitch, add at least 20 minutes. If you just have them do something on the back of the paper, subtract some time.
• 2) Students are often very convinced that their phone use and social media use is not problematic and is beneficial to them. The set up of the lesson tries to focus on getting them to see the issues in others and using humor in a way that might open the door for self-reflection– but be warned that there is often a lot of push back in the problems section.

Approximate length: 80-100 minutes

About the curriculum: School success relies on key skills that students are rarely taught. The goal of this curriculum is to level the playing field and to directly teach the executive functioning, self-regulation, and life skills that all students need to succeed in school. Through 20 lessons across four units, this year long curriculum will help students build a foundation for success in school and life– and leave them with an individualized success workbook at the end of the program.