Photo of a teacher following the Common Sense Education Instagram account and smiling

Follow our Instagram account for educators!

Keep up with the latest media and tech trends, and all of our free resources for teachers!

Lesson

Updated lessons available!

Digital Media and Your Brain

How does digital media try to hook you, and what can you do about it?

Grade

8

Time

45 mins.

Objectives

  • Explore ways that different digital media are, and aren't, designed to help them make good media choices.
  • Reflect on how digital media is designed to either help or hinder the addition of meaning and value to their lives.
  • Think about how to develop good, healthy habits when using digital media.

Vocabulary Show definitions

addictive design . feedback loop . habit . humane design
addictive design features of an app or device that try to hook you into using it frequently
feedback loop when you get a response to something you do or post online, causing your brain to experience a temporary moment of pleasure
habit something we do automatically without thinking
humane design features that prioritize what's good for people and help them use technology in a healthy way
Standards
This lesson meets standards for Common Core ELA, ISTE, CASEL and AASL.
Image
App Traps & Addictive Design
Healthy Habits
Grade:
8
App Traps & Addictive Design
How does tech try to hook you, and what can you do about it?
Image
Tech Habits Challenge Part 1
Healthy Habits
Grade:
8
Tech Habit Challenge: Part 1
What roles do media and tech play in my life?
Image
Healthy Tech Habits: Part 2
Healthy Habits
Grade:
8
Tech Habit Challenge: Part 2
How can I build positive habits around media and tech to support my well-being?
Sign in or join to unlock this free lesson.

Lesson Plan

45 mins.

Have students apply what they have learned by completing the “Healthy Social Media Habits” Activity on TestDrive, a social media simulator. Students go through a self-guided activity to reinforce key concepts and practice building healthy social media habits. For more information, download the Social Media TestDrive Educator Guide.

What You’ll Need

In Class