MODULE 1.Group Activities – For Youth Workers to Facilitate

Activity Name	Digital Time Auction
Purpose	To reflect on how much time youth spend on screens and explore screen-free activities that bring genuine enjoyment or value.
Step-by-Step Instructions	Give each participant 24 “hours” (tokens or a simple worksheet). Ask them to allocate actual time spent on digital activities. Then ask them to reassign those 24 hours based on what would help them feel balanced (sleep, movement, friends, hobbies). Debrief with questions: What surprised you? What would you like to adjust? What makes change easier or harder?
Materials Needed	Paper tokens or a simple worksheet with 24-hour slots Pens
Estimated Time	25–30 minutes

Activity Name	Make Your Own Screen-Free Swap Jar
Purpose	To help youth create a personal, ready-to-use tool filled with screen-free activity ideas they can turn to when feeling bored, restless, or tempted to scroll.
Step-by-Step Instructions	Introduce the idea of having “ready-to-use alternatives: Explain that it’s easy to reach for a phone out of habit, but having screen-free alternatives ready to go can make it easier to choose something more fulfilling. As a group, brainstorm screen-free activity ideas, things that are fun, calming, or energising. Write these on the board for inspiration. Each participant receives a few blank cards or slips of paper, and write down on individual slips 10 to 15 of their favorite ideas. Place them in a jar or envelope. Each one will have their own jar. Decorate the jars/envelopes (optional). Teach them a 30-second mood check: how is your mood from 1 to 5? What is your energy level from 1 to 5? Now, the activity continues at home: Encourage them to take the jar/envelope home and place it in a visible space, and Next time they wat to scroll automatically, they pull a car from the jar at random. Invite them to do a mood check before and after the activity: Did anything change? Optional follow-up: In a future session, discuss which activities worked best and how their mood was affected.
Materials Needed	Blank paper slips or index cards Pens/markers Envelopes, paper cups, or temporary containers (jars can be brought from home) (Optional) Decorative materials: stickers, washi tape, etc.
Estimated Time	30–40 minutes (for creating and decorating jar contents)

Activity Name	Behind the Screens – Research & Present
Purpose	To help youth understand how apps and platforms are designed, and how this affects emotions and habits.
Step-by-Step Instructions	Divide participants into 4 small groups. Each group gets a specific topic area with research prompts. Their task is to research, discuss, and prepare a 5-minute presentation for the class. Provide prompt cards or handouts for each group, including guiding questions and space for notes. Allow 20–30 minutes for research and discussion. They can use their phones/tablets to look up articles, videos, or summaries. Provide starter links or printed info if internet access is limited. Each group presents their findings. Encourage visual aids (charts, posters) or short role plays to make it engaging. Group reflection: “What surprised you? How does this change the way you think about your own digital habits?”
Materials Needed	Research prompt cards or printed handouts Pens and paper Devices for research (or printed resources if needed) Whiteboard or flipchart for summarising key points
Group Topics and Prompts:	Group 1: The Science of Hooks – Dopamine and Reward What is dopamine, and how does it influence behaviour? How do social media or games trigger dopamine release? Why is this especially powerful for young brains? How does this affect our habits and attention Group 2: Addictive Design Features What are the common features designed to keep users hooked? (e.g., infinite scroll, loot boxes, streaks) How do these compare to gambling or slot machines? Why do companies use these designs? Who benefits? How can knowing this help you use apps differently? Group 3: Emotional Impact – How It Feels How can screen overuse affect mood, sleep, or stress? What emotions drive screen use (e.g., boredom, anxiety)? What happens when people use screens to avoid feelings? How can emotional awareness help break the habit? Group 4 (Optional): Social Pressure & FOMO What role do likes, comments, and streaks play in keeping you online? How does fear of missing out (FOMO) affect screen time? How do social norms and peer pressure impact digital choices? What helps people set boundaries and feel okay unplugging?
Estimated Time	45–60 minutes (includes prep, research, and presentations)