Should Schools Ban Smartphones?! -DEBATE-

Guiding Question: Should Schools Ban Smartphones?

LT: I can analyze scientific research to explain how cell phones, SMART technology, social media, and algorithms impact the teenage brain.

The goal of this activity is to facilitate a debate about whether schools should ban smartphones, with a focus on the impact of social media and algorithms on teenage brain development and social-emotional well-being.

The digital download includes a graphic organizer to help students formulate their final position after watching The Social Dilemma documentary and reading scientific articles on the topic. Students will explore the negative impacts of social media and algorithms on their attention spans, mood regulation, and sense of self-worth.

The "Smartphone Ban Debate" is a powerful tool for promoting critical thinking and digital literacy skills. Students will learn about the ways in which social media and algorithms are engineered to hold our attention based on personalized data collection. They will also learn about the ways in which these technologies can be addictive and distracting, leading to negative consequences for their mental health and academic performance.

Through this debate, students will recognize the role that social media and algorithms play in the problems associated with smartphone use. They will also explore the ways in which banning smartphones in schools might not solve the problem, as these negative impacts are less associated with the smartphone device and more closely tied to the way that apps, social media, and algorithms are engineered.

Overall, the "Smartphone Ban Debate" is an excellent resource for science teachers looking to promote critical thinking, digital literacy, and social-emotional learning in their classrooms.