References: Media Balance and Spotting Imbalance
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Screen Time - Wikipedia - Covers research on the amount of time spent using devices with screens, including effects on children's physical health, sleep, mood, and cognitive development.
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Doomscrolling - Wikipedia - Explains the phenomenon of compulsively scrolling through negative or attention-grabbing content online, its psychological effects, and why it can be difficult to stop.
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Computer Vision Syndrome - Wikipedia - Describes eye strain and related symptoms caused by prolonged screen use, including the 20-20-20 rule and other strategies for reducing tired eyes and visual discomfort.
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The Art of Screen Time: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life by Anya Kamenetz, PublicAffairs - A research-based guide helping families find a healthy balance between screen activities and offline life, with practical strategies for parents and children.
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Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World by Devorah Heitner, Bibliomotion - Offers a mentor-based approach to helping children develop healthy media habits, emphasizing guidance over restriction and building kids' judgment about screen use.
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Media Balance Is Important - Common Sense Education - A free lesson helping students think critically about balancing online and offline activities and understanding how technology use affects their feelings and daily routines.
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Finding My Media Balance - Common Sense Education - A Grade 5 lesson where students reflect on their daily screen habits, consider what media balance means, and create a personalized plan for healthy technology use.
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Media Balance and Well-Being Topic - Common Sense Education - A curated collection of K-8 lessons focused on helping students develop healthy, balanced relationships with technology through awareness of mind, body, and environment.
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Digital Media Literacy Framework: Grades 4-6 - MediaSmarts - A curriculum framework for upper elementary students covering digital health, online ethics, privacy, and media literacy with age-appropriate lessons and activities.
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Getting Kids and Teens to Care about Cybersecurity - National Cybersecurity Alliance - Strategies for engaging young people in digital wellness through interactive activities, open communication, and age-appropriate discussions about healthy technology habits.