Navigating Social Media

Overview

This 30-minute lesson is designed for Year 10 students (aged 14-15) to explore the impact of social media on personal development, mental health, and digital citizenship. It aligns with the National Curriculum for England's PSHE framework, focusing on Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, and Living in the Wider World. The lesson encourages critical thinking, self-reflection, and responsible behaviour online.

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National Curriculum Links

• Health and Wellbeing:
  • Understanding how to manage risk and personal safety, including online.
  • Recognising different influences on health and wellbeing, including social media.
• Relationships:
  • Development of respectful and positive relationships.
  • Understanding that personal online behaviour affects others’ wellbeing.
• Living in the Wider World:
  • Recognising and managing digital footprints and online reputations.
  • Critical awareness of online resources and their reliability.

(These are drawn from the PSHE Association's Programme of Study for Key Stage 4, which supports the National Curriculum for England.)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand how social media usage can influence their personal development and mental health.
2. Identify strategies to manage online risks and maintain a positive digital footprint.
3. Reflect on their responsibilities as digital citizens in promoting respectful online interactions.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes (2 different colours per student)
• Personal device or printed “Social Media Scenario Cards” (1 per pair)
• Projector or screen to display key points/questions
• Timer or stopwatch

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity: “Social Media Snapshot” (5 minutes)

• Ask students to write on one colour sticky note: one positive way social media has impacted their life.
• On the other colour sticky note: one negative effect of social media they or peers have experienced.
• Collect and randomly read a selection, writing key themes on the whiteboard (e.g., connection, anxiety, distraction).
• Use this to segue into the lesson topic.

2. Mini Input: Risks & Rewards of Social Media (7 minutes)

• Present a concise interactive discussion on:
  • Positive effects (e.g., community support, learning opportunities).
  • Risks (e.g., cyberbullying, addiction, misinformation, privacy concerns).
• Emphasise the connection between social media usage and mental health by citing statistics relevant to teenagers (e.g., anxiety linked to social comparison).
• Refer to National Curriculum emphasis on managing online risks and promoting mental wellbeing.

3. Main Activity: Role-Play and Reflection (12 minutes)

• Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a “Social Media Scenario Card” depicting common dilemmas (e.g., receiving a harmful comment, oversharing personal information, peer pressure to post).
• In pairs, students role-play the scenario and discuss:
  • What are the possible consequences?
  • How might one respond responsibly?
  • What personal and emotional development lessons can be taken from this situation?
• Each pair shares a brief summary of their role-play and reflection with the class.

4. Plenary: Digital Footprint Commitment (6 minutes)

• Ask students to reflect silently and write down one action they will take to manage their digital footprint positively or protect their mental health online.
• Volunteers share their commitments.
• Teacher summarises the importance of responsible digital citizenship linked to personal development and well-being from the lesson.

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Assessment

• Formative: Quality and insight of contributions during starter activity and pair discussions.
• Summative: Evaluation of students’ written digital footprint commitment statements for understanding of the lesson’s key messages.
• Optionally, follow up with a reflective journal entry or exit ticket to deepen personal connection to learning.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Encourage students to express ideas verbally or through writing depending on confidence levels.
• Provide scenario cards with varied complexity/topics to suit diverse experiences.
• Foster a safe environment to discuss sensitive topics with ground rules for respect.

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Extension Ideas

• Homework: Students research and present on a chosen social media influencer’s impact on mental health or self-image.
• Invite a guest speaker specialising in digital wellbeing or mental health for a follow-up session.

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By combining reflective activities, role-play, and direct connections to the National Curriculum, this lesson is designed to not only meet statutory educational requirements but also engage students deeply in managing their digital lives with maturity and mindfulness.