Social media is like a tug of war
Engaging with social media can be like a tug of war, with many arguments for and against its use. By considering each side of an argument, students will have the skills to make informed online decisions.
Year level
7-10
Duration
5 minutes
Type
In class activity
Online learning
SEL Competencies
Self-awareness
Social awareness
Learning intention
Students will understand the different perspectives of topical social media concepts and trends.
Key outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
understand the different perspectives on social media usage.
Materials needed
Sticky notes
Whiteboard or equivalent
Pens
Mapped to
Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education
Analyse and reflect on the influence of values and beliefs on the development of identities (AC9HP8P01)
Plan, rehearse and evaluate strategies for managing situations where their own or others’ health, safety or wellbeing may be at risk (AC9HP10P08)
Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities
Personal and Social Capability:
Self-awareness
Ethical Understanding:
Understanding ethical concepts and perspectives
Digital Literacy
Practising digital safety and wellbeing
Critical and Creative Thinking:
Inquiring
NSW PDHPE Syllabus
Examines and evaluates strategies to manage current and future challenges (PD4-1)
Assesses their own and others’ capacity to reflect on and respond positively to challenges (PD5-1)
Victorian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education
Investigate the benefits of relationships and examine their impact on their own and others’ health and wellbeing (VCHPEP127)
Evaluate factors that shape identities, and analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (VCHPEP142)
Activity 1
Instructions
5 minutes
As a class or individually, visually ask students to draw a line, such as on the whiteboard or in individual workbooks.
Provide students with a statement and ask them to think of factors that ‘tug’ at each side of the argument.
Students write these on Post-It notes and place them at either end of the line.
Ask students to generate ‘What if's’: questions, issues, factors or concerns that might need to be explored further. Write and post these above the line.
Ask students to reflect on the activity:
Do they still feel the same way about it as when they started?
Have they changed their opinion?
Suggested statements:
Social media is important for friendships.
Social media is bad for society.
Social media causes more harm than good.
Social media has been unfairly blamed for various social problems.
Additional resources
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For further information regarding this topic, access the following articles from theeSafety Commissioner:
