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Paired Texts > Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?

by Anya Kamenetz 2018

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Anti-Social Networks? We're Just As Cliquey Online
Anti-Social Networks? We're Just As Cliquey Online
Laura Sydell

In "Anti-Social Networks? We're Just as Cliquey Online," Laura Sydell from NPR's All Things Considered discusses how social networks can reinforce cliques and biases.

Pair “Anti-Social Networks? We’re Just as Cliquey Online” with “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” and ask students to discuss the consequences of their screen time. How do both texts explore the benefits and disadvantages of social media use? When do students think social media use becomes more harmful than beneficial?

9th Grade Psychology 1160L
How Video Games Are Getting Inside Your Head — And Wallet
How Video Games Are Getting Inside Your Head — And Wallet
Steve Henn, for NPR

In the informational text, "How Video Games Are Getting Inside Your Head – And Wallet," Steve Henn discusses how game companies' research influences gamers. 

Pair “How Video Games Are Getting Inside Your Head – And Wallet” with “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” and ask students to discuss the addictive nature of screens. How are screens, specifically video games, designed to keep users engaged? How do both texts explore the difficulty of overcoming technology “addictions”?

8th Grade Informational Text 1020L
When Playing Video Games Means Sitting On Life's Sidelines
When Playing Video Games Means Sitting On Life's Sidelines
NPR Staff

The informational text "When Playing Video Games Means Sitting On Life's Sidelines" explores a rehabilitation center helping people recover from their technology addictions.

Pair “When Playing Video Games Means Sitting on Life’s Sidelines” with “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” and ask students to consider how the program described in “When Playing Video Games Means Sitting on Life’s Sidelines” fits into the concepts explained in “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” What are some similarities in the two articles in terms of how people think about, talk about, and respond to life habits that change due to one’s relationship with technology? What are some differences?

8th Grade Informational Text 980L
Why it matters that teens are reading less
Why it matters that teens are reading less
Jean Twenge

In the informational text "Why it matters that teens are reading less" Jean Twenge discusses how teenagers are spending less time reading in favor of spending more time online.

Pair “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” with “Why it matters that teens are reading less” to provide students with information about the hold that digital devices have over teens. What are the negative effects of spending too much time using a digital device? How much more difficult could it be to get teenagers to read more if they have a problematic relationship with digital devices?

9th Grade Informational Text 1100L
Age Limits on Your Favorite Apps?
Age Limits on Your Favorite Apps?
Ruben Brosbe

In "Age Limits on Your Favorite Apps?," legislators seek to address concerns about social media's harmful impacts on young people. Pair “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” with “Age Limits on Your Favorite Apps?” to offer students a different perspective on screen time. Does the information in “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” support or refute the information in “Age Limits on Your Favorite Apps?” Do students agree more with the recommendations for social media in “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such A Thing?” or “Age Limits on Your Favorite Apps?” Why?

10th Grade Informational Text 1200L
Is Online Gaming Addictive?
Is Online Gaming Addictive?
Gina Rich

In "Is Online Gaming Addictive?," Gina Rich discusses how, after more than a decade of debate, professionals still disagree about whether excessive online gaming is a diagnosable disorder. Pair “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such a Thing?” with “Is Online Gaming Addictive?” and ask students to compare and contrast the authors’ tones regarding whether excessive tech usage — particularly in the form of online gaming — rises to the level of “addiction.” In “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such a Thing?,” how is a “habit” distinguished from an “addiction”? Why do some of the experts in both articles disagree about whether excessive online gaming warrants a classification as an official disorder? Why do some clinicians like Dr. Michael Bishop in “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such a Thing?,” prefer to classify excessive technology use as a “habit?” Explain the comparison between excessive online gaming and binge eating in “Screen Addiction Among Teens: Is There Such a Thing?,” and why playing video games excessively might be different from other sorts of addictions. How do some experts think that technology itself can be used to help gamers and others develop and maintain healthier boundaries?

9th Grade Informational Text 1140L