Web 2.0 Websites & Assessment

Regarding accuracy, the article was published by The Guardian, a respected, mainstream newspaper. The author is also mentioned (Raphael Boyd), which adds credibility. The reliability of the data seems to be high, as there are quotes from credible stakeholders, such as the NSPCC policy manager and the CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation. In addition, the article cites a survey conducted by a legitimate organization: the British Standards Institution (BSI), which contributes to the overall reliability. However, it is important to note that The Guardian is recognized as having a progressive/liberal stance, which may shape how information is presented. For example, the article gives prominence to the negative impact of social media on young people’s wellbeing, which reflects a progressive focus on child protection and mental health. Though the article reflects a progressive stance, the information is still reliable; readers should simply keep this perspective in mind.

As regards currency, the article is up-to-date, since it is dated 20 May 2025 but the disclaimer that it is “more than 3 months old” reminds readers that ongoing discussions about digital curfews and social media could have evolved, and the data may require verification against newer updates. In terms of content, the article could be interesting for my target learners, who are 17-year-olds, as it tackles topics that affect them personally, such as the impact of social media on mental health. In addition, the article provides students with useful information about the negative impact of social media and potential solutions, such as digital curfews, safer sites and  regulation. Also, the article is primarily informative and was not designed with teaching-learning purposes in mind. The language is authentic and targeted at native speakers, so its difficulty level should be considered when using it with students. Despite this, since my target learners are at a B2 level, this article would be suitable for them, as the information is presented in a clear, accessible manner with straightforward language. In addition, this article would be relevant for the unit of work about the impact of social media on modern society. 

Regarding functionality, this site is well-structured with headings, subheadings and embedded links, which work well. There are no broken links and the site functions properly on any technological device. What may be distracting from the main article are the fundraising prompts and climate campaign appeals but that is to be expected from most online journalism. 

As regards accuracy, the article was published by BBC World Hacks, a well-known, serious news platform known for factual reporting. Therefore, the article is reliable because it provides the author's name (Mike Wendling) and the publication date (30 January 2017). In terms of reliability of data, the article provides credible sources of information, such as the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), journalists from Le Monde’s Les Decodeurs, and experts, such as Claire Wardle from First Draft News. Regarding currency, the article can be relatively outdated as it was published in 2017, which makes it over six years old. Hence, the technological solutions for fake news, such as browser extensions, may have evolved significantly. Readers should therefore verify whether these tools are still being used or have been updated since then. Due to the 2017 publication date, it is crucial to cross-check the information with more updated sources. Social media apps and algorithms may have changed in the intervening years. Despite this, the information in the article is still useful. It provides insight into the early solutions that were developed to address fake news.

Regarding the content of the article, it is informative and authentic, created for native speakers rather than language learners. This article can provide students with authentic language input. It can also be used to present vocabulary related to social media in a meaningful, communicative context. In addition, I believe this article is interesting, since ss are likely to find the discussion about fake news relevant to their own experiences. Since my learners are at a B2 level, I think this article is appropriate for them. It may not represent a challenge to their comprehension, while still giving exposure to authentic language and relevant content. This article is also relevant to my unit of work. It aligns with one of my objectives: to identify fake information on social networks and understand its impact. 

As regards functionality, this site works properly. There are embedded links to sources, such as Snopes, Le Monde, First Draft, and they all work well. There are minimal distractions from the article, such as pop-ups and advertisements. Overall, the site is user-friendly and accessible on any technological device.  

As regards accuracy, this game was created by a fellow teacher, whose name is provided at the top of the page. After checking the activity, I think there are no language errors, as it may be the case with other games designed on this site. Moreover, the content of the game is accurate, as the questions accurately reflect the key points from the BBC News article about fake news. Regarding currency,  this game is up-to-date, since it was published in 2024. However, because the original news article dates back to 2017, some of the facts in the game may be outdated. Nevertheless, the activity remains relevant for discussing the concept of fake news and its impact today. Therefore, the game is relevant to the unit of work, since it aligns well with one unit objective to identify fake information on social networks and understand its impact. Also, the game is appealing for students due to its interactive and competitive nature with a time limit for each question, highly engaging for teens. In addition, the game serves the purpose of checking overall comprehension of the article, which reinforces critical thinking about the topic of fake news. As regards functionality, this website works well, since the game loads quickly and it's both intuitive and accessible across multiple devices. 

As regards accuracy, the information in the video seems reliable. It provides expert insights from Anna Lembke, a Stanford psychiatrist, and Vivik H. Murphy. Also, there are references to official advisories, such as the US Surgeon General’s advisory on youth mental health, to explain the dopamine reward pathway. Despite this, some parts of the video include personal accounts or interpretations, which are illustrative stories rather than empirical evidence. Regarding currency, this video is up-to-date, as it references recent lawsuits connected to social media use among youth. However, some facts about platform features or legal actions may need verification for up-to-date accuracy. As regards the content, the video is interesting for teens as it tackles the addictive nature of social media, directly relating to the unit theme. I think this video is useful for introducing social media vocabulary in real-life contexts, where language is used naturally for communication instead of teaching-learning purposes in mind. When it comes to functionality, the site works well, as YouTube is an easy-to-navigate platform, accessible across devices. Aspects that enhance usability are features, such as speed adjustment and subtitles, which support comprehension and allows users to pause or slow down parts to fully grasp key ideas.

As regards accuracy, this game was created by a fellow teacher, as we get to see their name at the top of the page. After checking this game, I believe there are no language mistakes; the questions are accurate because they clearly reflect the content of the video about scrolling on social media.  Plus, the game fosters critical thinking by asking learners to recall key concepts from the article, such as dopamine release and addictive behaviors. Regarding currency, this website is up-to-date, as it was published in 2024. When it comes to content, this quiz is engaging for both teenagers, as it is interactive, competitive, and related to the topic of social media use and its addictive effects. Hence, the game is relevant to the unit of work on social media and suitable for the English level of my target learners, as the language used poses no comprehension challenges. I also believe the game is ideal for checking students’ comprehension of the video. As regards functionality, the website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and works well across devices. Some useful features that enhance usability include instant feedback, automatic scoring, and adjustable settings. 

Regarding accuracy, this worksheet was created by a teacher, whose name is provided at the top of the page. After checking the activity, I believe there are no language errors, as it may be the case with other worksheets created on this site. Regarding content reliability, the information about social media apps is accurate and consistent with general knowledge. However, it could be cross-checked with additional sources. In terms of currency, the worksheet is up-to-date as it was published in 2024. As regards the content, the worksheet revolves around the topic of social media, which is relevant to this unit of work and also interesting for my target students. This worksheet can be used to get practice on relative clauses, a typical B2-level topic while still being related to the content of the unit. In terms of functionality,  this website is user-friendly and works properly. The layout is clear, with clear instructions and spaces for answers. It is accessible on any digital device. 

Regarding accuracy, this game was designed by a fellow teacher, as their name appears at the top of the page. After checking the activity, I found no language mistakes, which can sometimes occur in other user-generated content on this platform. The information seems to be accurate, as it is based on general knowledge about misinformation. Nevertheless, it is important to fact-check the specific examples in the game to ensure they are drawn from reliable sources. As regards currency, the game was published in 2024; hence, it is up-to-date, which means that the context around fake news is relevant to students’ knowledge of contemporary issues. In terms of content, the game is engaging and effectively combines a topical theme (fake news) with first conditional grammar practice. This is a typical focus in B2-level courses, which matches the English proficiency of my target learners. When it comes to functionality, the website works well: the game loads quickly and has intuitive navigation. Interactive features that further enhance usability are drag-and-drop and instant feedback.