Teens and Technology is a prevention program designed to assist youth with navigating life online. It encourages students to practice critical thinking skills, which are crucial for independent decision making, as well as safety online.
Problem Areas Addressed
- Overuse of technology
- Naive beliefs about the internet
- Cyber bullying
- Lack of awareness of the potential for gaming
and gambling problems or addiction
Skills Built
- Critical thinking
- Becoming a positive digital citizen
- Online safety
- Emotional coping strategies
- Knowledge of addiction
- Media literacy around gaming and gambling
Age/Grade Level: 6th through 8th
Setting: Full classroom lessons
Format: Series of 4 lessons; 40–45 minutes each
Effectiveness: Pre- and post-tests show increased knowledge of safe technology skills. Classroom teacher satisfaction is high.