Medien Media

Frau Mueller fragt: Wie lange schaut ihr auf den Bildschirm? Jonas sagt: vier Stunden. Lena sagt: mehr. Die Lehrerin sagt: zwei Stunden pro Tag sind genug.

Ms. Mueller poses a difficult question to the class: How much screen time is too much? She holds up her tablet and asks: How many hours do you spend in front of a screen each day? The students glance at each other sheepishly. Jonas admits: Maybe four or five hours. Lena shakes her head: I think it is more for me. I always watch series in the evening. Ms. Mueller writes the numbers on the board. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum of two hours per day for young people, she says gravely.

Felix mag Bildschirme. Mia liest lieber Buecher. Jonas hoert Podcasts. Die Lehrerin sagt: aktiv nutzen ist besser als passiv nutzen.

In the discussion many students raise their hands. Felix says: I think screens are not bad when you use them cleverly. I even learn something on YouTube. Mia disagrees: But most videos are a waste of time. I prefer reading books because I actually learn something. Jonas raises his hand again: I listen to podcasts while exercising. That is useful, is it not? Ms. Mueller smiles: All opinions are interesting. The difference lies in whether we use media actively or passively. The class reflects.

Frau Mueller liest einen Artikel. Viele Jugendliche schauen nachts auf ihr Handy. Das ist schlecht fuer den Schlaf. Zu viel Bildschirm macht suechtig.

The next day Ms. Mueller brings a newspaper article. Listen, she says, this is a report about screen addiction among young people. She reads aloud: More and more teenagers cannot sleep without their smartphones. They secretly look at their devices at night, even though they are tired. Experts warn: too much screen time disturbs sleep and concentration at school. Some young people spend more than eight hours a day in front of screens. The class is silent. Then Lena asks quietly: Does that become addictive? Ms. Mueller nods gravely.

Felix darf abends kein Handy benutzen. Mias Familie spielt Brettspiele ohne Handy. Jonas hat keine Regeln, aber er schlaeft schlecht. Was sind gute Regeln?

Ms. Mueller asks the class: What media rules are there in your homes? Felix recounts: At our place we are not allowed to use our phones after eight o clock in the evening. I find it difficult sometimes, but it helps. Mia says: My parents have set up a family evening: every Monday we all put our phones away and play board games. Jonas laughs: There are no rules at home for us, but I notice myself that I sleep less when I watch for too long. The class discusses: which rule would make sense for everyone?

Medien sind nicht schlecht, wenn wir sie klug nutzen. Wir koennen lesen, Musik hoeren und Filme sehen. Aber wir brauchen auch Zeit ohne Bildschirm.

At the end of the lesson Ms. Mueller summarises the discussion. Media are neither good nor bad, she says. It depends on how we use them. We can read the news, listen to music, watch films and still have time for books, sport, and family. Jonas asks: What should we do now? Ms. Mueller suggests: This evening everyone write down how long they use media and why. Tomorrow we compare. Lena smiles: I think I will be surprised. The class leaves the room with new thoughts about media and balance.