Time online and sleep
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe ways to manage my time online and keep a healthy sleep schedule.
Key learning points
- Blue light is produced by electronic screens and disturbs sleeping patterns.
- Disturbed sleep can impact our physical wellbeing.
- Not using screens at least one hour before bed can help us to sleep.
Keywords
Screen time - any time spent on a digital device with a screen, for example, a smartphone or laptop
Melatonin - a natural chemical in your body that helps control sleep by making you feel sleepy when it gets dark
Blue light - a bright light from screens that can keep you awake by tricking your brain into thinking it's still daytime
Common misconception
Looking at my phone helps me get to sleep.
You may believe your phone is helping you to sleep, but without the blue light that comes from your phone you could get to sleep much faster, and have a deeper sleep. Try reading a book in bed instead.
Teacher tip
It could be useful for teachers to show pupils how to switch on 'night mode' on digital devices. This reduces blue light emissions which can reduce the melatonin supression when using devices before bed. However, be clear that this is not a 'fix' for pupils using screens before bed.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Everyone uses the internet in the same way.
Q2.When we watch lots of short videos, which hormone is released in quick bursts?
Q3.Match the words to their definitions:
to talk, play or spend time with friends, family or new people
something that takes a long period of time or has long-lasting effects
notice taken of someone or something
Q4.Which of these is an example of a productive activity you could do online?
Q5.Which of these is a healthy choice in the long-term?
Q6.Although finding entertainment online can be good, it is important to have a healthy in our online and offline activities.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definitions:
any time spent on a digital device with a screen
a natural chemical in your body that helps control sleep
a bright light from screens that can keep you awake
Q2.True or false? Dopamine helps us to sleep better at night.
Q3.Even if you get to sleep after using a digital device, the sleep will likely be ...
Q4.To get a good night's sleep, screen time should be stopped at least __________ before bed.
Q5.If you experience racing thoughts at night and constantly struggle to sleep, you should:
Q6.Which of the following can help improve your sleep?
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Time online and sleep, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Time online and sleep, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Media influence: What's a healthy way to spend my time online? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.