Brain Rot! - 5-Day Mini-Unit Pack: Discover How Apps Capture Attention and Shape Choices

What if an app knows exactly what will keep you watching?Brain Rot! 5-Day Mini-Unit Pack turns one of the biggest challenges facing young people today-the battle for their attention-into an engaging, story-led learning experience.The Pack includes the complete illustrated Brain Rot! Cut the Noise - Find the Signal novella, together with a structured five-day learning unit that uses carefully selected chapters from the story as the starting point for discussion, investigation and hands-on activities. Everything needed to read the story and complete the Mini-Unit is brought together in one practical resource.Designed for learners aged approximately 10-14, the five-day program follows Team Savv-i as they uncover the secrets of Zipp, a manipulative social-media app that learns what keeps its users watching-and becomes increasingly skilled at influencing their attention, emotions and choices.Rather than simply telling young people to spend less time online, the unit helps them understand how persuasive technology actually works.Across five flexible lessons, students investigate: - why personalised content can feel "creepily accurate"- how notifications, likes, streaks and rewards create feedback loops- how taps, pauses, searches, replays and viewing time become usage data- how algorithms use behaviour to predict what users may do next- how attention, data, targeted advertising and profit can create a Profit Spiral- how persuasive design can affect choice, identity and digital wellbeing- how technology could be redesigned to protect attention and personal agencyStory learning is reinforced through practical activities including Bindi's Signal vs Noise Observation Wall, the Zipp Feedback Loop Wheel, Zipp Data Detective Board, the Attention-for-Data-for-Money Game, and the final Zeno-Approved App Design Challenge.The Pack also includes Team Savv-i character profile cards, printable Attention Tokens, Data Dots, Ad Coins, Persuasive Design Cards, reflection activities, adaptations for diverse learners, an assessment rubric and a Team Savv-i Proficiency Award.Each lesson takes approximately 60-75 minutes and can be used with one learner, siblings, homeschool co-ops, library groups or small classes.By the end of the five days, learners are not merely being warned about social media. They are learning to recognise its design strategies, question how their attention is being used, identify when technology begins shaping their choices-and imagine better technology for themselves.Read the adventure. Decode the hooks. Understand the system. Take back the signal.Cut the Noise -- Find the Signal