Lesson
Comparison & Mood
Summary
Every scroll shows you someone else's highlight reel, never their whole story. This lesson unpacks the Highlight Reel Effect and Upward Social Comparison, then teaches students to audit their own emotions before, during, and after social media use.
Bellringer: The Posts We See Most
- Ask students to list the top 3 categories of posts they see when opening their favorite app
- Collect a few examples on the board to set up the discussion
Instruction
- Present the Highlight Reel Effect and why posts rarely show ordinary moments
- Introduce Upward Social Comparison using the Liam & Noah scenario
- Define Emotional Self-Auditing as a skill for noticing feelings before, during, and after scrolling
Discussion: Reading Your Own Reactions
- Ask students to share physical or emotional signs that scrolling has shifted their mood
- Work through the Costa Rica vacation post scenario as a class, discussing helpful vs. unhelpful advice
Activity: Digital Citizenship Workbook
- Students complete pages 9-10 of the Digital Citizenship Workbook individually
- Circulate to support students connecting workbook prompts to their own social media habits
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- List two physical or mental warning signs that it's time to log off.
- Explain the Highlight Reel Effect.
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The Posts We See Most |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 10 min | Discussion: Reading Your Own Reactions |
|
| 15 min | Activity: Digital Citizenship Workbook |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Digital Citizenship Workbook
Complete "Digital Wellness" on pages 9-10 of the workbook.
Class Presentation
Includes an 18-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 1: Digital Health & Wellness
Why It's Hard to Stop
Losing 45 minutes to "just a quick scroll" isn't a willpower failure; it's the result of deliberate design choices built by teams of engineers. Explore persuasive design features like infinite scroll, variable rewards, and gamification, and learn why it's not your fault when tech feels impossible to put down.
Comparison & Mood
Every scroll shows you someone else's highlight reel, never their whole story. This lesson unpacks the Highlight Reel Effect and Upward Social Comparison, then teaches students to audit their own emotions before, during, and after social media use.
Your Own Tech Plan
Knowing why apps are addictive doesn't automatically fix a screen habit. Actual change takes a plan. This lesson helps students audit their own tech use and build a S.M.A.R.T. goal to create a healthier relationship with devices.
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