The Reality of Digital Drama
Post date: Mar 15, 2017 5:51:55 PM
Lesson ObjectivesReflect on their own impressions of digital drama.
Compare underlying messages about drama on reality TV with “real world” digital drama among young teens.
Think critically about the gender stereotypes associated with drama.
Key Vocabulary Generalization: an assumption made about a whole group of people based upon your experiences with a few
Stereotype: a widespread belief about a group of people – often negative – that influences how members of that group are perceived and treated
The digital drama describes the everyday tiffs and disputes that occur between friends or acquaintances online or via text. For example, a teen may post a comment about someone else online knowing that people will see it, that friends may chime in, and that people will talk about it. Unlike cyberbullying, which involves repeated digital harassment towards someone, the drama is broader and more nuanced. That being said, teens sometimes use the term drama to distance themselves from emotionally difficult behavior. Digital drama can still feel very real to students, lead to hurt feelings and even damage friendships. In some cases, digital drama can escalate into an offline fight – either verbal or physical.Do you feel that people enjoy online drama? Why or why not?
People sometimes bond over drama and gossip online. It can be entertaining to be involved in it or to observe it from afar. Students may also point out that online gossip and fights can damage people’s friendships or reputations.
The (Un)Reality of Reality TV Drama
Go to the bottom of the page and download to your DocHub The Reality of Digital Drama. While watching the video and after during discussion, take notes in the A column. Did you notice any generalizations about girls in this video? If so, what were they?
Did you notice any generalizations about boys in this video?
What do you think about these generalizations? Are they true of you and your friends? Are they true for some, or all, teens?
As you watch the video, record your thoughts in the B Column. Do you watch reality television shows? If so, do the shows ever feature drama?
How “real” do you think reality TV drama actually is?
Can you think of examples from your own lives where you and your friends have dealt with conflict in nondramatic ways? Do you think those stories would be a hit on a reality TV show? Why or why not?
The Real Housewives Series Clips
Download and complete: the reality of Digital Drama