6th-8th
My Social Media Life
with Common Sense Education
Embedded Files
Essential Question
Warm Up: Social Media Bonds
What percentage of your friends do you think are on social media, like Instagram, Snapchat, or something similar? Hold up five fingers if you think most or everyone, three fingers if you think maybe around half, and zero or one finger if you think very few or none.
According to the video, what do these images have to do with the term "digital footprint"?
Legally, many social media sites require you to be at least 13 years old to sign up, and some even require you to be 17 or 18.
How do you think the percentage of your friends compares with teens in general? What percentage of teens in the U.S. do you think are on social media? Look at the slide below to find some answers.
Watch and Discuss
Watch the video and then answer the following questions:
What did teens say were some benefits of social media?
What did they identify as problems or drawbacks?
Here are some possible ideas:
Benefits: You can connect with friends, share pictures of what you are doing or thinking, share exciting things you're doing, stay up-to-date on the latest happenings.
Problems or drawbacks: It's distracting, you feel you have to be on it, there's pressure to be perfect, there's pressure to look like your life is great, it can make you feel sad or even depressed.
One negative part of social media, as shared by teens in the video, is the feeling that you have to be on social media all the time. Invite students to share how they feel when they are without their phones or devices for a period of time. Students might mention feeling anxious, depressed, worried, or fearful they're missing out.
Using social media this much can sometimes lead to oversharing, which is sharing personal feelings, information, or experiences that later make someone feel uncomfortable or regretful. Examples of oversharing include things like:
sharing thoughts or feelings in the heat of the moment
sharing things you wouldn't want everyone to see, such as photos from a party, or of you acting silly or weird, but then it was shared with a bigger group of people
sharing every detail of your life, like what you ate for breakfast or every thought that comes to mind
Now we're going to do a quick activity reflecting on your views about social media. Keep in mind that people have different opinions and experiences with social media, and there isn't always a right or wrong answer. For each example we go through, show whether you agree, disagree, or are undecided with thumbs up, down, or sideways.
Look at the following scenarios and determine if you agree or not. Be prepared to share why you feel a certain way.
Analyze: Noticing Red Flag Feelings
In the video, students talked about both positive and negative experiences using social media. Some of their negative experiences were caused by feelings of being isolated, anxious, or uncomfortable.
When you have a red flag feeling, it's important to slow down, pause, and think about how you're feeling by using the Feelings & Options steps outlined below.
Take some time to use this handout to go through a digital dilemma and apply the Feelings and Options steps to it. These steps are part of a thinking routine that supports social skills and thoughtful decision-making for digital dilemmas.
Wrap Up: Social Media and Me
It's a good idea to follow the Feelings & Options steps anytime you experience a red flag feeling. Taking these steps will help you think through the options you have for handling the situation.
Take a moment to answer the reflections questions below:
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