This lesson is part of the pack: The Psychology of Influence. Teach it as a complete experience.
WHAT'S INSIDE
- Real-World Context: Dive into the hidden reality of daily screen habits and uncover how smartphones are designed to keep us constantly checking, scrolling, and coming back for more.
- Watching & Analysing (Social Experiment): Watch a real-life social experiment where participants guess their screen time and confront the gap between perception and reality
- Watching & Analysing (The Psychology of Design): Explore the science of "Two Billion Truman Shows," examining how app design, notifications, etc. are deliberately engineered to capture attention and simulate social connection.
- Critical Thinking & Discussion: Through agree/disagree tasks and reflection questions, students evaluate whether phones enhance life or quietly control behaviour.
- Innovative Solutions: Analyse Google's "Paper Phone" project as a creative, analog alternative designed to help users disconnect and regain focus in a digital world.
- Fluency Building & Problem Solving: Act as a "Digital Wellness Coach" to design a 24-hour detox plan, brainstorming "emergency boredom killers" to help a partner survive without any digital devices.
Related Lessons
Dive into the psychological divide between thrill-seekers and those who prioritize security. Master high-impact idioms like 'living on the edge,' 'throwing caution to the wind,' and 'slippery slope,' etc. to describe life’s most intense risks. Analyze the extraordinary story of ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes to understand the drive to defy the odds, then reflect on your own choices through daring scenarios, personal storytelling, and lively debates.
FREE
Explore the high-stakes world of Bryan Johnson, the billionaire biohacker spending millions to reverse his biological clock. Dive into the controversial science of 'Project Blueprint' and master powerful idioms like 'go to great lengths,' 'stick to one's guns,' etc. Analyse a journalist’s attempt to survive this extreme routine. Finally, debate the ethics of being on the 'cutting edge' of longevity.
FREE
Explore the life-changing insights of your “Future You” and confront the “Harsh Truths” about success, happiness, and growth. Master the grammar of reflection—using should have, could have, and I wish/If only I had—to express past regrets and realizations. Watch interviews with 80-year-olds to uncover their perspective on missed opportunities and life choices. Finish with a dynamic “Regret or Reset?” debate and craft a compelling message to your future self.