• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Digital Mirrors: Real You?

user image

Dani Krakow

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Social Media & Self-Image Lesson Plan

Students will analyze how social media can influence body image, develop critical thinking skills to evaluate online content, and identify strategies for promoting a healthy self-perception in the digital world.

In today's digital age, social media significantly shapes how young people view themselves. This lesson helps students develop essential media literacy skills to navigate online pressures and foster a positive body image, empowering them to engage with social media mindfully.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

75 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, analytical activity, and creative project planning.

Materials

Digital Mirrors Slides, Spotting the Filters Activity, and My Mindful Feed Project Guide

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Review the Social Media & Self-Image Lesson Plan, Digital Mirrors Slides, Spotting the Filters Activity, and My Mindful Feed Project Guide. Ensure all digital materials are accessible and ready for projection. Print copies of the Spotting the Filters Activity for each student.

Step 1

Introduction: Social Media Snapshot

10 minutes

  1. Begin by asking students what social media platforms they use or know about.
    2. Facilitate a brief discussion about why people use social media (e.g., connecting with friends, sharing photos, entertainment).
    3. Introduce the lesson's topic: how social media can impact how we feel about ourselves, specifically our body image. Use Digital Mirrors Slides Slide 1-2.

Step 2

Understanding Influences: Digital Mirrors

20 minutes

  1. Use Digital Mirrors Slides Slide 3-5 to discuss how images and videos on social media can be altered or curated.
    2. Explain concepts like filters, editing apps, and the 'highlight reel' phenomenon.
    3. Encourage students to share (voluntarily) their observations about how images might be different from reality, without singling out individuals or platforms.
    4. Lead a discussion on how seeing 'perfect' images can make us feel.

Step 3

Activity: Spotting the Filters

25 minutes

  1. Distribute the Spotting the Filters Activity.
    2. Explain the instructions: students will analyze provided examples (or discuss common scenarios) and identify ways images might be altered or selectively presented.
    3. Facilitate small group or pair discussions as students work through the activity.
    4. Reconvene as a whole class to share observations and insights. Emphasize critical thinking and healthy skepticism.

Step 4

Project Introduction: My Mindful Feed

15 minutes

  1. Introduce the My Mindful Feed Project Guide.
    2. Explain that this project encourages students to think about how they can curate a positive and healthy social media experience for themselves.
    3. Review the project expectations, timeline, and deliverables.
    4. Answer any initial questions about the project.

Step 5

Cool Down: One Takeaway

5 minutes

  1. Ask students to reflect on one key takeaway from today's lesson regarding social media and body image.
    2. Have students share their takeaway with a partner or write it down as an exit ticket.
lenny

Slide Deck

Digital Mirrors: Real You?

Exploring Social Media & Your Body Image

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the topic by asking the title question. Explain that today we'll explore how social media influences how we see ourselves, especially our body image.

What is Body Image?

  • How you see your physical self
    - How you feel about your appearance
    - Not just what you look like, but how you think and feel about it

Define body image. Emphasize that it's about perception and feelings, not just physical reality. Ask students to reflect on what influences their own body image (without sharing personal details, just general ideas).

Social Media's 'Highlight Reel'

  • People often share only their best moments
    - Perfect lighting, amazing vacations, curated outfits
    - It's like seeing only the best scenes from a movie, not the whole story

Discuss the 'highlight reel' concept. Ask students if they've noticed this trend. Why do people do it? How might this make others feel?

Filters & Editing: The Digital Touch-Up

  • Apps and tools change how we look
    - Smooth skin, thinner faces, different colors
    - It's often not real!

Explain common filters and editing techniques. Show (or describe) examples of how people alter photos. Emphasize that these tools create unrealistic images.

The Impact: How Do These Images Make Us Feel?

  • Pressure to look perfect
    - Feeling like you're 'not enough'
    - Comparing yourself to others
    - Can impact self-esteem and confidence

Lead a discussion on the emotional impact. Ask students, 'When you see these perfect, filtered images, how does it make you feel about yourself?' Validate their feelings and concerns.

Be a Critical Viewer!

  • Question what you see: Is it real? Is it edited?
    - Remember everyone's 'highlight reel' is just that – highlights!
    - Focus on your unique strengths and qualities
    - Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad

Empower students with strategies for critical viewing and protecting their self-esteem. Reinforce that their worth isn't determined by online images.

lenny

Activity

Spotting the Filters: Reality Check!

Social media is full of amazing pictures, but sometimes what we see isn't exactly real. Many photos are edited or use filters to change how people and things look. Let's become "filter detectives" and learn to spot these digital touch-ups!

Part 1: Observe and Discuss

Look at the scenarios below. For each scenario, discuss with your partner or group:

  • What might have been changed or enhanced in the image?
  • Why do you think the person made these changes?
  • How might seeing images like this make someone else feel?

Scenario 1: The "Perfect" Selfie
Sarah posted a selfie where her skin looks perfectly smooth, her eyes are sparkling, and her nose looks a little narrower than usual. The background behind her also seems a bit blurred, making her stand out even more.







Scenario 2: The "Ideal" Vacation Spot
A travel influencer shared a photo of a beach. The sky is an impossibly bright blue, the water is a vivid turquoise, and there are no other people visible anywhere on the sand, even though it's a very popular destination.







Scenario 3: The "Amazing" Meal
Someone shared a picture of their homemade meal. The colors of the food are incredibly vibrant, and steam seems to be rising perfectly from the dish, even though the photo was taken a while ago. The lighting makes everything look incredibly delicious, almost too good to be true.







Part 2: Your Turn - Be a Critical Viewer!

Think about your own experiences or things you've seen online.

  1. Describe an image or video you've seen on social media that you suspect might have been altered or heavily filtered. What made you think it wasn't entirely real?











  2. Why do you think it's important to be aware that images on social media might not always show reality?











  3. What is one strategy you can use to be a "critical viewer" of social media content and avoid feeling bad about yourself because of what you see online?











lenny
lenny

Project Guide

My Mindful Feed Project Guide

Project Goal

To help you create a more positive and healthy social media experience by becoming more mindful of the content you consume and how you interact with it.

The Challenge

Imagine you are a social media "curator" for your own mind and well-being. Your task is to design your "Mindful Feed" – a plan for how you can use social media in a way that makes you feel good about yourself and others.

Project Steps

Step 1: Reflect and Identify (Individual Work)

  • What makes you feel good? Think about social media accounts, types of content, or interactions that genuinely make you feel happy, inspired, informed, or connected in a positive way. List at least 3-5 examples.






  • What makes you feel not-so-good? Consider accounts, content, or interactions that make you feel stressed, anxious, jealous, or bad about yourself. List at least 3-5 examples.






Step 2: Develop Your Mindful Feed Strategy (Individual Work)

Based on your reflections, create a strategy for a "Mindful Feed." This strategy should include:

  1. "Follow" Strategy: What kinds of accounts will you actively seek out and follow to fill your feed with positivity? (e.g., educational, hobby-related, inspiring, funny, supportive friends/family). Give at least 3 examples of types of accounts.











  2. "Unfollow/Mute" Strategy: What will you do with accounts or content that make you feel bad? (e.g., unfollow, mute, limit viewing). Explain why this is important for your well-being.











  3. "Post/Share" Strategy: If you post or share content, what will be your goal? How can you contribute positively to your own feed and to others? (e.g., sharing real moments, supporting friends, posting about hobbies).











  4. Time Management Strategy: How will you manage the amount of time you spend on social media to ensure it doesn't take away from other important activities or lead to comparison? (e.g., setting limits, designated screen-free times).











Step 3: Present Your Mindful Feed (Optional: Small Group Share or Class Presentation)

You can choose to present your "Mindful Feed" strategy in one of the following ways:

  • Option A: Poster/Infographic: Design a poster or infographic that visually represents your Mindful Feed strategy.
  • Option B: Short Presentation: Prepare a 2-3 minute presentation explaining your strategy and why it's important to you.
  • Option C: Written Report: Write a 1-page report detailing your strategy.

Assessment Criteria

Your project will be assessed on:

  • Thoughtfulness of your reflections (Step 1)
  • Clarity and completeness of your Mindful Feed strategy (Step 2)
  • Practicality of your strategies (Can you realistically implement them?)
  • Presentation of your chosen format (Optional: creativity, organization)
lenny
lenny