Self-Esteem & The Effects of Media/Technology on the Brain

Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(334)

In this one time course, students will learn simple tips to improve self-esteem and how the media (magazines, technology, video games, social media, etc.) can affect their self-esteem.

Class Experience

This class is meant to help kids understand self-esteem, ways to feel good about themselves, how to make healthy choices with their screen/technology time, and what is happening in the brain when they use too much technology. I start off explaining what self-esteem is and what high and low self-esteem mean, along with some examples. Then, I talk about the benefits of self-esteem. Next, I talk about screen/technology time and dopamine in the brain and what it does to the amygdala and...

Students will learn what self-esteem means. Students will learn different parts and chemicals of the brain and their functions. They will also learn more about the research behind technology and screen time, and how culture and media can affect our self-esteem. Students will learn 9 simple techniques to improve their self-esteem.

I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor/elementary school social worker. I have a Master's Degree in Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker license, along with a School Social Worker License. I have been teaching children about mental health for four years, and I love helping kids learn ways to help with their emotions!

There is no homework for this class, however, I encourage students to practice the techniques they learn and teach them to their families at home.

A one-page handout will be given to the students to help them remember what they learned, along with 101 things to do without technology, and a letter for learners and their parents/families with additional resources.

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:Youtube Rocket Kids Self-Esteem (inside my slideshow)

25 minutes per week in class, and maybe some time outside of class.

I show two different magazine covers, one of a girl, and one of a boy, and both models are fully clothed and the pictures are appropriate for young children. One is from 17 magazine of Shaileene Woodley wearing a t-shirt and the other one is Details magazine of Ryan Reynolds in a black shirt and jeans. There are words around them saying, "943 Ways to Look Pretty," "Perfect Skin," and "How to look ripped in 5 minutes." While I show the pictures, we talk about how this is not reality and how the magazine is saying looks are the most important thing. We talk about how this is not true and why. We also talk about how media like this can affect our self-esteem.

I show a youtube video from Rocket Kids about self-esteem. 
I use a magazine cover from 17 Magazine and Details Magazine

Research studies to support what I teach:
*Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem
Jan, Muqaddas and Soomro, Sanobia and Ahmad, Nawaz, Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem (August 31, 2017). European Scientific Journal, 13(23), 329-341, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3030048

*More Than a Body book by Lexie Kite PHD and Lindsey Kite PHD

*Clinical and Psychological Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Children
Nicole A. Waller, Nanhua Zhang, Adrienne H. Cocci, Crystal D'Agostino, Sarah Wesolek‐Greenson, Kevin Wheelock, Lauren P. Nichols, Ken Resnicow, Screen time use impacts low‐income preschool children's sleep quality, tiredness, and ability to fall asleep, Child: Care, Health and Development, 10.1111/cch.12869, 47, 5, (618-626), (2021).

Available times

Pacific

Table of available sections

Meet the teacher

Karlie Hansen, LCSW

Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(334)

I am licensed clinical social worker/elementary school mental health counselor, and I love teaching kids all about mental health and how to cope with their emotions! I offer many classes on a variety of mental/emotional health topics. I believe...