Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Students will identify common risks on social media and learn strategies for privacy, respectful posting, and handling stranger messages through scenario analysis and personal reflection.
This lesson builds essential digital citizenship skills, empowering 6th graders to protect their privacy, communicate respectfully, and make smart choices online, setting a foundation for responsible social media use.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual aids, and scenario-based practice.
Materials
- Social Media Safety Poster, - Social Safety Scenario Cards, - Social Media Safety Reflection Sheet, and - Projector and Screen
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut out Social Safety Scenario Cards for small groups.
- Print one Social Media Safety Reflection Sheet per student.
- Display Social Media Safety Poster where all students can see.
- Ensure the projector or display is working for any visuals.
- Review the scenarios and poster content to familiarize yourself.
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
- Ask students: "Which social media platforms have you heard of or used?"
- Record responses on the board.
- Discuss why people use social media and what makes it fun or useful.
- Transition: Introduce the need to be safe and responsible online.
Step 2
Introduction to Safety Strategies
10 minutes
- Present key safety strategies:
- Use privacy settings to control who sees your posts.
- Think before you post: consider consequences.
- Respect others: kindness and positive tone.
- Be cautious of strangers and report uncomfortable messages.
- Refer to Social Media Safety Poster for visuals.
- Encourage questions to clarify each strategy.
Step 3
Scenario Role-Play
10 minutes
- Divide students into groups of 3–4.
- Distribute one Social Safety Scenario Cards to each group.
- In groups, read the scenario and discuss the best safe response using the strategies.
- Have groups prepare a short role-play to demonstrate their solution.
- Circulate to support and guide discussions.
Step 4
Reflection and Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Hand out Social Media Safety Reflection Sheet.
- Ask students to write:
- One new safety strategy they will use.
- How they will apply it next time they're online.
- Collect sheets as exit tickets.
- Reinforce main takeaway: safety first.
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Slide Deck
Safe on Social
Digital Citizenship for 6th Graders
Social Media Safety
Welcome students! Today we’ll learn how to stay safe on social media. Introduce yourself and share the lesson objective: identifying risks, learning safety strategies, and practicing through scenarios.
Why Do We Use Social Media?
- Connect with friends
- Share photos and videos
- Learn new things
- Have fun
Warm‐up discussion: Ask students which social platforms they know or use. List responses on the board. Emphasize why people go online: connecting, sharing, learning, having fun.
Common Risks Online
- Strangers messaging you
- Oversharing personal information
- Cyberbullying or mean comments
- Inappropriate images or videos
Explain each common risk and invite students to give real‐life examples. Emphasize how these risks can impact privacy and feelings.
Key Safety Strategies
- Use privacy settings to control who sees your posts
- Think before you post: consider consequences
- Respect others: use kindness and a positive tone
- Be cautious of strangers: block or report uncomfortable messages
Show the Social Media Safety Poster and walk through each strategy. Encourage questions and relate to students’ own experiences.
Scenario Role-Play
- Form groups of 3–4 and pick a card from Social Safety Scenario Cards.
- Discuss the best safe response using our strategies.
- Prepare a short role‐play to show your solution.
Explain group roles and time limits. Circulate to guide discussion and ensure everyone participates in the role‐play.
Reflection & Exit Ticket
Complete your Social Media Safety Reflection Sheet:
- One new safety strategy you’ll use
- How you’ll apply it next time online
Turn in your sheet on the way out.
Distribute reflection sheets and explain each prompt. Collect as exit tickets. Reinforce that these strategies are for every time they go online.
Thank You!
Stay safe and smart online!
Questions?
Thank students for their participation. Invite any final questions and remind them: safety first, every time they go online.
Activity
Social Safety Scenario Cards
Use these cards in your Scenario Role-Play activity. Divide students into groups of 3–4 and give each group one card. They should discuss the scenario, decide which safety strategies to use, and prepare a short role-play.
Card 1: Friend Request from a Stranger
You receive a friend request on a social platform from someone you don’t know in real life. They have no mutual friends, but they’ve liked a few of your public posts.
Discussion Questions:
- Which safety strategy applies?
- How would you respond?
- What could happen if you accept or decline?
Card 2: Embarrassing Photo Tag
A classmate tags you in an unflattering photo and it’s visible to many people. You feel embarrassed and upset.
Discussion Questions:
- Which strategy helps here?
- How can you ask the classmate to remove the tag?
- What would you do if they refuse?
Card 3: Private Message from a Stranger
Someone you don’t know sends you a private message asking for personal details (your school name and address).
Discussion Questions:
- Which safety strategy applies?
- What’s a safe way to respond?
- When should you involve a trusted adult?
Card 4: Mean Comment on Your Post
You post a photo and someone leaves a mean or hurtful comment. You know this person, but their message made you feel bad.
Discussion Questions:
- Which safety strategy applies?
- How could you address the comment respectfully?
- When should you report or block?
Card 5: Sharing Personal Info in Your Bio
You’re updating your profile and think about adding your phone number so friends can easily text you.
Discussion Questions:
- Which safety strategy applies?
- What are the risks of sharing personal info?
- How else could people contact you safely?
Card 6: Suspicious Link from a Friend
A friend sends you a link promising free game credits, but the link address looks strange.
Discussion Questions:
- Which safety strategy applies?
- How can you verify if it’s safe?
- What should you do if it’s a scam?
Worksheet
Social Media Safety Reflection Sheet
Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________
-
One new safety strategy I will use and why it matters:
-
How I will apply this strategy next time I’m online (give a specific example):
Thank you for reflecting on how you’ll stay safe and smart on social media!
Warm Up
Warm-Up Discussion
Time: 5 minutes
-
Ask students: “Which social media platforms have you heard of or used?”
- Record all answers on the board (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube).
-
Ask: “What do you enjoy or find useful about these platforms?”
- Prompt students to share ideas (staying connected, sharing photos, learning new things).
-
Ask: “What might worry you or feel unsafe when you’re online?”
- Note any concerns (strangers messaging you, mean comments, personal info sharing).
Activity:
- After each question, give students 30 seconds to think, then share out.
- Encourage at least 5 different responses before moving on.
Transition:
“Social media can be fun and helpful, but it’s important to stay safe. Today we’ll explore key strategies to protect ourselves online!”
Reading
Stay Safe on Social Media
Keep yourself protected and make smart choices online by following these four key strategies.
🔒 Use Privacy Settings
• Choose who can see your profile and posts (Friends only, Private vs. Public).
• Review your settings regularly—updates can change defaults.
• Only accept follow requests or friend invites from people you know in real life.
🤔 Think Before You Post
• Pause and ask yourself: “Is this something I’ll regret later?”
• Avoid sharing personal details like your address, phone number, or school name.
• Remember: once it’s online, it can be copied or shared beyond your control.
❤️ Respect Others
• Use kind and positive language in comments and messages.
• Before tagging or sharing someone’s photo, ask for permission.
• Stand up against cyberbullying—report mean comments and support classmates if they’re targeted.
🚫 Beware of Strangers
• Never share private conversations or personal info with someone you haven’t met.
• If a stranger sends you a message that makes you uncomfortable, block and report them.
• Tell a trusted adult right away if someone you don’t know tries to contact you.
Keep this poster handy and refer to it every time you go online. Safety first—always!