LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Read opposing viewpoints and take a side; analyze the influence of technology; identify a healthy balance between online and offline connections 

HEALTH ED STANDARD

Analyze the influence of technology on personal and family health. (NHES 2)

KEY VOCAB

 one-dimensional, ephemeral, aspirational, garner, foster, isolate, substantive, advocacy, profound, introvert

Lesson Plan: Does Technology Make Us Lonely?

The majority of teens spend more than nine hours per day staring at screens. Are they making friends around the world— or blowing off IRL connections? 

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What is the influence of technology on my social health?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. What is the “fear of missing out” and how can social media make it worse? The fear of missing out, also known as FOMO, is when you feel like you’re being left out. This is worse when combined with social media: You can instantly see everything that happens at every party and event you don’t attend. 
  2. What kind of relationships does Io think technology fosters? She says technology fosters one-dimensional and shallow relationships. 
  3. How does Yaw say people are using social media in positive ways and to advocate for different issues? He says social media allows people to have a voice and find like-minded people to discuss their views on things like feminism, LGBTQ issues, civil rights, and more.

Like What You See?

Then you'll love Choices, our health, social-emotional learning, and life-skills magazine for grades 7–12 

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. How many hours a day, on average, do teens spend staring at phones? Would you say you’re on the high or the low end of that scale? Why? Possible answer: The average teen spends four hours a day on their phone. I’m on the low end of that because I play so much soccer, which takes up time. 
  2. How do you use technology to strengthen your friendships and relationships? Give examples. Possible answer: I text with my brother who is away at college and I have a group chat with everyone from the play I’m in this spring. 
  3. When has social media or technology had a negative influence on your relationships? Describe the situation. Possible answer: My friend posted pictures of me online that I didn’t want her to, and it caused us to stop talking for a while.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

NHES 2, NHES 5

Regardless of where students stand on the issue, most will agree that more balance is needed between real-life socializing and screen time. Using the TECH BALANCE ADVOCACY handout, students will create posters, either digitally or by hand, that encourage their classmates to take the time to pause and look up from their screens. 

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 2,  NHES 4

Most people are so engrossed in their own phones that they often miss the amount of people staring at screens all around them. In this activity, students will use the SMART PHONE OBSERVATION sheet to go out into a public place and take notes about the behaviors and interactions they see. Then they’ll compare their findings with the class.

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