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Taking control of smartphones

This lesson helps students understands why apps, games and social media are so addictive and hard to switch off. Based in research from the University of Oxford, It explores the motivations for young people’s excessive use of phones, and how these might affect their wellbeing. Students learn practical strategies and tech nudges to take back control of their phones, and protect the Big 3 for wellbeing: sleep, physical activity and real-life relationships.
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Lesson structure

Teenage girl

Part 1: Why your phone is so addictive

Part 1 of this lesson explores why smartphones are so addictive, detailing how apps and games are specifically designed to to keep users scrolling, watching and gaming. Students learn how certain social media platforms, specifically TikTok, negatively impact youth mental health whilst being prompted to evaluate their own risk of smartphone addiction.

Black teenage boy sitting at a computer screen smiling

Part 2: Taking back control

Part 2 teaches students a two-pronged approach to managing their smartphone habits by addressing both the duration of screen time and awareness of specific platform designs. Through actionable strategies like setting app limits, establishing phone-free zones, and adding "friction" to break mindless habits, it encourages teenagers to find a healthy balance rather than enforcing an outright ban on phone use.

Pop art image of a smiling teenage girl wearing headphones and holding a mobile phone

Extension activity: Protecting 'The Big 3'

The extension activity emphasises the importance of protecting "The Big Three" vital elements of wellbeing—sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face connections—from being replaced by unlimited phone use. Students discuss and reflect on which areas of their Big 3 are being impacted by phone use, and what they can do to protect them.

Teacher resources

Lesson slides

BrainWaves lessons are ‘oven ready’! Either run them online from Google Slides, or download them to adapt and use whenever you need.

Google Slides

Handouts

Here are the handouts you will need to teach this lesson – some will need printing out beforehand.

Handout 1: Phone control strategiesHandout 2: Tech nudges challenge

Teaching support

Read through the Teacher Notes, providing a quick summary of the activities within the lesson.

Teacher Notes

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Wellbeing strategies in this lesson

Every BrainWaves lesson includes practical, evidence-based strategies for students to try that will support their wellbeing. Below you will find a handy 1-page, easy-to-read Research Guide that summarises the evidence behind each strategy, meaning you can feel confident in the scientific basis of the lesson!

Limiting time on phones

The research which shows the psychological and wellbeing benefits of reducing time on smartphones.

Read now

Creating phone-free zones

The evidence behind how phone-free zones can help improve wellbeing.

Read now

Related lessons

Check out more from our wellbeing curriculum on the theme of ‘Thinking positively’. 

You can find an overview of the curriculum here.

Our partners

BrainWaves is a collaborative project, led by researchers at the University of Oxford
in partnership with The Day, an online daily newspaper for young people,
and the informatics team at the University of Swansea.

Oxford University

The Day

Swansea University

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