Digital Media & your Brain

Digital Media and Your Brain

Exploring the impact of digital media on our lives and whether we are becoming too dependent on it. Is it a tool we control or a force that controls us?

Objectives

• Explore how digital media is designed to either help or hinder the addition of meaning and value in our lives.

• Reflect on ways to develop good, healthy habits when using digital media.

• Consider how different types of digital media try to hook you and what you can do about it.

Vocab

• habit – something we do automatically without thinking

• humane design – features or aspects of a device or app that prioritizes what’s good for people’s lives

• feedback loop – when you get a response to something you do or post online, causing your brain to experience a temporary moment of pleasure

• addictive design – features or aspects of a device or app that are intended to hook the user into frequent use

Match

Match the following

• addictive design

• feedback loop

• habit

• humane design

features intended to hook users

makes your brain happy

something we do automatically

features meant to help people

• features intended to hook users

• makes your brain happy

• something we do automatically

• features meant to help people

Developing Healthy Digital Habits

• Limit screen time: Set boundaries to avoid excessive use.

• Engage mindfully: Avoid getting caught up in online debates.

• Be selective: Don't download every new app that comes out.

Poll

Which habit would be the easiest to follow?

• • Limit screen time: Set boundaries to avoid excessive use.

• • Engage mindfully: Avoid getting caught up in online debates.

• • Be selective: Don't download every new app that comes out.

Digital Media Habits

• Teens discuss their media habits and their impact on their lives
• Design features that hook them include addictive design elements
• Questioning the value and meaning of their media habits

Open Ended

Effects of Addictive Design

The concept of devices and apps designed to hook users is associated with temporary moments of pleasure. These designs use techniques like notifications, rewards, and infinite scrolling to keep users engaged. They can lead to addictive behaviors and decreased well-being. Be mindful of your digital consumption!

Teen Voices: The Pressure to Stay Connected | Common Sense Education

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Open Ended

In response to the video, what are some statements you agree with? What are some perspectives you didn't have before?

Digital Media Addiction

1. Choose a device, app, or website that you spend a lot of time using. 2. Identify its features as either humanely designed or addictively designed. 3. Create three rules to monitor your behavior while engaging with addictive design apps.

Open Ended

1. Choose a device, app, or website that you spend a lot of time using.
2. Identify its features as either humanely designed or addictively designed.

Behavior Monitoring Tips

Trivia: Did you know that one way to monitor behavior while engaging with addictive design apps is to limit the amount of time spent using the app? Other helpful tips include using the app only during designated hours, disabling notifications, and even deleting the app from your device if necessary. Stay in control of your digital habits!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a rule to monitor behavior while engaging with addictive design apps?

• Limit the amount of time spent using the app

• Use the app only during designated hours

• Disable notifications from the app

• Delete the app from the device

Multiple Choice

How can we develop good, healthy habits when using digital media?

• By limiting our screen time and setting boundaries for ourselves

• By constantly checking our social media accounts

• By engaging in online debates and arguments

• By downloading and using every new app that comes out