SEL Technology Addiction

​Are Our Devices Using Us?

Murray Middle School SEL Lesson on Technology Addiction

Todays goal: To understand how devices affect our brains, emotions, learning, and relationships, and how to use technology in healthier ways.

Open Ended

Many people use screens everyday without thinking much about it.
Think: Describe a time when you lost track of time on a device. What were you doing, and how did you feel afterward?

Tech addiction happens when:

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What Is Tech Addiction?

• Someone feels like they cannot stop using a device.

• They keep using it even when it causes problems.

• The device starts to feel like it is in charge.

This is called a behavior addiction. Behavioral addiction means doing something over and over because your brain really wants it, even when you know it’s not good for you.

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Open Ended

How is enjoying technology different from feeling controlled by it?

A lot of kids feel this way. According to the CDC:

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How Common Is This?

• Around 50% of teens feel addicted to their devices. 78% check their devices hourly, and 72% feel an urgent need to respond to notifications:

• 50.4% of teens (ages 12-17) had over 4+ hours of daily screen time.

• 1 in 4 of the teens with over 4+ hours of screen time have experienced anxiety and depression.

Apps and games are built to keep you there! Many apps and games have:

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Why Is It So Hard to Stop?

• Endless scrolling.

• Likes, streaks, and points.

• Notifications that grab your attention.

These things are not accidents. Many games and apps make more money the longer you engage with them.

Raise your hand if you have one or more of these apps on your device. Which one do you struggle with the most?

What is happening inside your head:​

Your Brain and Screens

• Your brain has a reward system. It helps you learn what feels good and what is important.

• Dopamine is a chemical released in your brain when something feels exciting or rewarding.

• Screens, games, short form content (like TikTok or Youtube Shorts), likes, or messages give fast, frequent dopamine bursts.

• While your prefrontal cortex is still developing, it is hard to control impulses. This makes it extra hard to walk away from a device.

It is not about being "bad at self-control". Your brain is still developing and learning what is important.

Here are some reasons why people use devices:

Reasons Why People Use Devices

• Social pressure or FOMO (fear of missing out).

  • This can cause the feeling like you need to reply right away, or wanting likes.

• Screens as a distraction.

  • Many use screens to avoid feeling bored, stressed, anxious, sad, or lonely.

  • They also use it to avoid completing tasks they do not want to complete.

Red flags that device use is getting out of hand:

Warning Signs to Watch For

• Someone losing interest in hobbies, sports, or favorite activities.

• Sleeping less or having trouble falling asleep.

• Irritability when restricted from devices.

• Failing grades or problems focusing.

• Sneaking or lying about screen time or what is happening on the device.

• Constantly feeling the need to check your device.

• Physical pain like eye strain, headaches, or tiredness from looking at a screen.

• Neglecting personal hygiene or basic routines (skipping showers, forgetting to eat...) in favor of using a device.

Open Ended

Looking at these signs, what do you think it feels like to be stuck using technology too much? How would you be able to recognize this issue if your friend was struggling with technology addiction?

Research shows that too much screen time is linked to:

Effects on Health and Learning

• Increased anxiety, stress, and worry.

• Feelings of sadness, loneliness, and frustration.

• Shorter attention spans.

• Forgetting homework and assignments.

• Trouble remembering what you learn.

• Eyestrain, headaches, tired eyes, poor posture, less exercise.

• Spending less time with loved ones.

• Trouble communication face to face.

• Less practice with team work and collaboration.

Open Ended

Which of these effects do you think a student your age would have trouble noticing at first? Why?

Devices are everywhere, even at school!

The Big Irony at School

• The school has given you access to a device, which you use probably every day.

• Your teacher uses a device every day.

• Your devices can helpful for learning.

• You are using a device for your lesson right now!

Technology is not going to go away any time soon. Devices will always be part of school, work, and life.
This is why it is important to practice healthy habits now. Learning this balance will help your brain, mood, grades, and friendships.

Tips for healthy technology use:

What Helps Instead? (Healthy Habits)

• Have specific, designated screen free times and spaces.

• Find a real life activity to join (we have them at our school!).

• Allow boredom.

  • Boredom sparks creativity and imagination. Instead of going for a device, try writing, drawing, building, or brainstorming.

• Avoid screens 30-60 minutes before bed. Avoid screens for 30 minutes after you wake up.

• Take movement breaks from screens.

• Think before you post or play.

  • Ask yourself: Is this helpful? Is this fun? Am I just scrolling?

• Set personal limits.

Open Ended

What healthy habit could you start this week? How would it help you feel better or do better in school?

Change is possible. Small changes can make a big differnce.

The Good News

• You will feel better mentally and emotionally.

• You will do better in school.

• You will form stronger friendships and relationships.

• You will have a healthier body and brain.

• You will feel more in control of your time.

Remember that you can always discuss this with a trusted adult in your life if you need support.

Reflect to yourself: Which of these benefits would be the most important to you right now?

Complete this form to see how much screen time you currently have: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezds2k9wKOGOV895S5ZlEbH9Rkk-v6uV8Z5HMtoUtJ6kh8bg/viewform

Unplugged Challenge

• Over the next month, try spend 100 hours "unplugged".

• Sleeping/napping does not count.

• Each circle is 1 hour.

• An adult in your house must confirm that you spent the hour unplugged.

• The homeroom with the most hours by February 11th will win a prize!