The Attention Economy - The Renaissance Institute

Dr. Andrew W. Berning and The Renaissance Institute, offers a comprehensive overview of digital wellness for PK-20 education, emphasizing the need for a balanced relationship with technology. The document defines digital wellness as using technology in ways that support mental, emotional, and physical health, while critically analyzing the critical need for digital wellness given high screen time usage and the correlation between social media and mental health issues. A significant portion of the material is dedicated to outlining a curriculum and framework, including age-appropriate strategies for PK-12 students and young adults covering topics like cybersecurity, media literacy, the biochemistry of technology (e.g., dopamine), and the impact of algorithms and the attention economy. Finally, the excerpts present practical exercises and strategies for schools and parents, such as digital detoxes, self-binding techniques, and fostering digital citizenship to leverage technology's power while mitigating its risks.