LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify mental health issues related to teen social media and phone use; identify ways for teens to use social media and phones responsibly.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 2: Analyze the influence of technology on health.

CASEL: Self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making

KEY VOCAB

algorithm

amplifying

scenarios

Lesson Plan: Good Vibes Only

Social media should be fun. So why does it sometimes feel like a drag? Learn why your feed might be making you blue and how to make your phone a happy place!

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “Good Vibes Only,” ask your students the following pre-reading questions:

Why might you get bad vibes from using your phone or social media, and how can you avoid feeling this way?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “Good Vibes Only” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading questions. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz and Vocabulary Review

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

This month, have your students complete the VIBE CHECK CHALLENGE. First, they’ll complete a one-page guided journal entry to consider whether their social media and phone use habits create any bad vibes. Then, have them commit to using a few good-vibes phone and social media practices for a week and complete the post-challenge reflection. Note: Any students without a phone could ask a trusted adult to commit to the challenge and then complete the post-challenge reflection as an interview.

Print the Lesson Plan

Text-to-Speech