Finding a balance when using social media can be challenging for students. By managing and reducing online activity when needed, students will have more free time and be more focused.

Year level

7-10

Duration

5 minutes

Type

In class activity

Online learning

SEL Competencies

Self-awareness

Self-management

Responsible decision-making

Learning intention

Students understand ways to manage social media use.

Key outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of ways to manage their social media use.

Materials needed

Mapped to

Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education

  • Analyse and reflect on the influence of values and beliefs on the development of identities (AC9HP8P01)

  • Analyse factors that shape identities and evaluate how individuals influence the identities of others (AC9HP10P01)

Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities

  • Personal and Social Capability:

    • Self-awareness

    • Self-management

  • Critical and Creative Thinking:

  • Inquiring

NSW PDHPE Syllabus

  • Examines and demonstrates the role help-seeking strategies and behaviours play in supporting themselves and others (PD4-2)

  • Assesses their own and others’ capacity to reflect on and respond positively to challenges (PD5-1)

Victorian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education

  • Investigate the impact of transition and change on identities (VCHPEP123)

Show details

Activity 1

Instructions

5 minutes

  1. Ask students to read ReachOut.com’s article ‘5 ways to tame your social media use’.

  2. Divide students into pairs and allocate one of the five tips:

    • Keep apps out of sight, so they’re out of mind

    • Use apps to help you limit your time on social media

    • Spend an hour a week on at least one screen-free hobby

    • Enjoy a phone-free dinner

    • Leave your phone outside the bedroom

  3. Students select ONE of the tips.

  4. Students creatively demonstrate how they could follow their chosen tip.

  5. Students might want to draw a picture, create a short video or poster, write a poem or short story, or may have other creative ideas.

  6. Invite students to share their creative demonstration with the class. These could be displayed within the classroom as a reminder.

Tip: It’s a good idea to start this activity by asking students if they use social media and, if so, how often.

Additional resources

No time displayed

For further information regarding this topic, access the following articles from the eSafety Commissioner:

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