Focus: Psychology, practical communication, vocabulary, and real-life application

PART 1: How the Teenage Brain Works

1. Emotional Brain vs Logical Brain

During adolescence, the emotional centres of the brain develop earlier and faster than the logical, decision-making centre.
Teenagers experience strong emotions, impulses and desires, while their planning, judgment and self-regulation skills are still developing.

Key terms:

• emotional brain – the part of the brain that controls feelings and reactions

• logical brain – the part of the brain that helps with planning, judgment and decision-making

• self-control – the ability to stop yourself from acting on impulses

• maturity – the ability to think clearly, manage emotions and make responsible choices

2. Dopamine Sensitivity and Instant Gratification

Vocabulary:

• instant gratification – wanting something immediately without waiting

• impulse control – the ability to pause and think before acting

• attention span – how long a person can focus on one task

Dopamine is the brain chemical responsible for reward and motivation.
Short-form video apps provide rapid bursts of dopamine, training the brain to expect constant stimulation. Teenage brains, which are highly sensitive to rewards, adapt quickly to this pattern.

3. Suggestibility, Fantasy and Emotional Intensity

Vocabulary:

• vulnerability – being more open to influence or harm

• manipulation – when someone or something tries to control your thoughts, feelings or behaviour

Teenagers are more sensitive to emotional messages, symbolism and storytelling.
This can increase vulnerability to manipulation, unrealistic scenarios or intense online relationships.

PART 2: Social and Environmental Pressures

Vocabulary:

• peer pressure – feeling pushed to behave like others your age

• comparison – judging yourself against someone else

• identity – your sense of who you are

Peer Pressure and Comparison

Teenagers want to belong and compare themselves constantly to friends, classmates and influencers.
Pressure increases when others appear to have better clothes, devices or lifestyles.

PART 3: Screen Time Effects and Risks

Vocabulary:

• novelty – something new or exciting

• impulse – a sudden desire to act

• dopamine pathways – brain systems involved in motivation and reward

• impulsiveness – acting quickly without thinking

• emotional regulation – ability to manage emotions

• regulation – control or balance

• tolerance – ability to handle frustration or boredom

• anxiety – feelings of worry or nervousness

• irritability – getting annoyed easily

• impatience – difficulty waiting

• restlessness – feeling unable to relax or stay still

• attachment – strong emotional connection

• reactivity – reacting strongly or quickly to emotions

• trends – popular styles or behaviours

• values – personal beliefs about what is important

• comparison – judging yourself against others

Behavioural Effects

High screen time is associated with:

• shorter attention span

• increased desire for novelty

• impulsive behaviour

• emotional intensity

• frequent comparison with others

Neurological Effects

Excessive screen use affects:

• dopamine pathways

• impulse control

• emotional regulation

• tolerance for boredom

• decision-making

Emotional Effects

Teenagers may experience:

• irritability

• impatience

• difficulty managing disappointment

• increased anxiety or restlessness

High vs Low Screen Time: Behavioural Comparison

High Screen Time:

• less patience

• weaker focus

• stronger attachment to trends

• heightened emotional reactivity

• increased impulsiveness

Low or Controlled Screen Time:

• improved focus

• steadier emotions

• clearer values

• less social comparison

• healthier daily habits

PART 4: Lifestyle Factors Affecting Teen Behaviour

Vocabulary:

• sleep cycle – the natural pattern of when your body becomes tired or awake

• deprivation – not getting enough of something important

• instability – not being steady or balanced

• processed food – food with added sugar, chemicals or artificial ingredients

• balanced (nutrition) – a mix of healthy foods that support the body

• stable (emotions) – calm, steady feelings

Sleep

Teen sleep cycles naturally shift later, requiring 8.5–10 hours of rest.
Sleep deprivation leads to irritability, poor concentration, impulsive decisions and emotional instability.

Diet

High-sugar or highly processed foods contribute to mood swings, energy crashes and reduced focus.
Balanced nutrition supports stable emotions and healthier dopamine levels.

PART 5: Perspective-Taking and Communication

Vocabulary:

• perspective – the way someone sees or understands a situation

• insecurity – feeling unsure of yourself

• belonging – feeling accepted or part of a group

• privileges – special things you get that are not automatic or guaranteed

• necessities – things you truly need, not wants

Taking the Teen’s Perspective

Sentence frame:
“From the teenager’s perspective, they might feel left out, behind, not as cool, or insecure.”

Taking the Parent’s Perspective

Sentence frame:
“From the parent’s perspective, there are work responsibilities, financial pressure, stress and time limitations.”

Useful Communication Phrases

Healthy Boundaries:

• “I hear what you want, but we need to discuss what is realistic.”

• “Let’s make a plan instead of reacting emotionally.”

• “New items are privileges, not necessities.”

Emotional Validation:

• “I understand that this is important to you.”

• “I know it feels unfair right now.”

Perspective Reminders:

• “Can you try to see this from my point of view?”

• “Let’s try to understand each other’s perspectives.”

Compromise:

• “Let’s find a middle ground.”

PART 6: Mini Psychology Lesson — TikTok, Dopamine and the Teenage Brain

Vocabulary:

• stimulation – something that excites or activates the brain

• impatience – difficulty waiting

• novelty-seeking – wanting new or exciting experiences

• intensify – to become stronger

• delayed gratification – the ability to wait for a reward

• Each short video produces a small dopamine hit

• Repetition trains the brain to expect constant stimulation

• Real life feels slower by comparison

• Impatience increases

• Novelty-seeking becomes stronger

• Hearing “no” feels more difficult

• Emotional reactions intensify

Solutions:

• gradually reduce screen time

• encourage hobbies, movement, social interaction

• practise delayed gratification

PART 7: Instagram, Influencers and Unrealistic Online Identities

Vocabulary:

• influencer – a person who affects others’ behaviour through social media

• flawless – looking perfect, without any marks

• dissatisfaction – unhappiness with how something looks or feels

• distorted – changed in a way that is not real

• illusion – something that looks real but is not

• staged – set up to look a certain way

• sponsored – paid for or supported by a company

• edited – changed or adjusted with tools or filters

• assume – to believe something is true without checking

• necessary – something you must have

• inferiority – feeling less important or less good than others

• pressure – a strong feeling that you must do something

• material – related to money or physical possessions

• frustration – feeling upset because something is difficult

• exposure – being shown something repeatedly

• resilience – ability to recover emotionally

• satisfaction – feeling pleased or content

• intensify – to grow stronger

1. Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Influencers often use editing tools to appear flawless.
Teenagers compare themselves to these unrealistic images, leading to:

• low self-esteem

• body dissatisfaction

• anxiety

• distorted ideas of what is normal

2. The Illusion of a “Perfect Life”

Social media posts often show luxury, success and happiness. Many are staged, sponsored or edited.
This can cause:

• inferiority

• pressure to buy expensive items

• frustration

• shame about real life

3. Missing Context

Social media hides real struggles, showing only highlights.

4. Psychological Impact

Exposure to unrealistic online lifestyles can:

• weaken emotional resilience

• increase insecurity

• reduce life satisfaction

• intensify the need for approval

PART 8: Reading Article

Vocabulary:

• interactions – ways people communicate or connect

• intense – very strong

• imitate – to copy or act like someone

• resembled – looked similar to

• emotionally charged – filled with strong feelings

• withdrew – moved away from others

• less engaged – less involved or interested

• isolated – alone or separated from others

• sensed – felt or noticed

• exchange – a back-and-forth conversation

• vulnerable – open to emotional harm

• artificial – not real; created by technology

(Full story unchanged)

PART 9: Science Behind the Story

Vocabulary:

• parasocial – a one-sided emotional relationship with someone who cannot respond equally

• dependence – needing something too much

• suggestibility – being easily influenced

• interpret – to understand the meaning of something

• symbolic – representing something else

• literally – understanding something exactly as it is said

• identity – a person’s sense of self

• overstimulation – having too much mental or sensory input

1. Emotional Vulnerability

Teenagers feel emotions intensely and cannot fully judge risk.

2. Parasocial and AI-Driven Relationships

Instant responses create the illusion of understanding and closeness.

3. Isolation and Withdrawal

High screen use weakens real-life connections.

4. Suggestibility and Fantasy

Teenagers may interpret dramatic messages literally.

5. Risk Factors

• high screen time

• poor sleep

• emotional stress

• social isolation

• limited communication

• identity struggles

• untreated mental health issues

6. Why Screen Time Matters

Digital overstimulation affects emotional regulation, attention and frustration tolerance.