The Psychology of Social Media

Natica Jones

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Psychology of Social Media

Understand social media's impact

This lesson explores the psychological effects of social media on self-esteem and social interactions. Through discussions and activities, students will gain insights into how social media influences their perceptions and behaviors. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing healthy online habits and fostering positive social interactions.

Audience

11th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Understand social media's impact

Materials

Discussion Questions, Worksheet on Social Media Impact, Quiz on Social Media Effects, Video: How Social Media Is Changing Your Brain Right Now, Video: Social Media: Ways to Stay Healthy, and Social Media Bingo Cards

Step 1

Icebreaker Activity

10 mins

Conduct the 'Social Media Bingo' activity.
Distribute bingo cards with social media-related prompts to students.
Allow students to mingle and find classmates who match the prompts.
The first student to complete a row shouts 'Bingo!' and shares a fun fact.

Step 2

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief overview of social media and its prevalence in daily life.
Ask students to share their favorite social media platforms and why they use them.
Show the video How Social Media Is Changing Your Brain Right Now to introduce the psychological effects of social media.

Step 3

Guest Speaker Video

10 mins

Play the video Social Media: Ways to Stay Healthy.
The video shares tips on maintaining mental health while using social media, focusing on positive content and balancing online and offline interactions.

Step 4

Discussion

15 mins

Use the Discussion Questions to facilitate a conversation about how social media affects self-esteem and social interactions.
Encourage students to share personal experiences and observations.

Step 5

Activity

20 mins

Distribute the Worksheet on Social Media Impact.
Have students work individually or in pairs to complete the worksheet.
Discuss the answers as a class, highlighting key insights.

Step 6

Quiz

10 mins

Administer the Quiz on Social Media Effects to assess students' understanding of the lesson.
Review the answers and clarify any misconceptions.

Step 7

Closure

5 mins

Summarize the key points discussed in the lesson.
Encourage students to reflect on their social media use and consider any changes they might want to make.

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Discussion

Discussion Questions

Facilitate a discussion on the psychological effects of social media, focusing on self-esteem and social interactions.

How does social media influence your self-esteem?

Encourage students to think about both positive and negative influences, such as likes, comments, and comparisons.

In what ways does social media affect your social interactions?

Discuss how social media can both connect and isolate individuals, and the impact of online communication on face-to-face interactions.

What insights did the influencer share about managing mental health while using social media?

Discuss the strategies mentioned by the influencer and how they can be applied in students' own lives.

How did the influencer's experiences change your perspective on social media use?

Encourage students to reflect on any new understandings or realizations they had after watching the video.

Which strategies from the video do you think would be most effective for you?

Encourage students to consider how they can implement these strategies in their own social media use.

How do you balance your time between social media and real-life interactions?

Discuss the importance of setting boundaries and the impact of screen time on relationships.

In what ways has social media shaped your identity or self-perception?

Encourage students to reflect on how online personas and feedback influence their self-image.

Can social media be a tool for positive change? How?

Explore examples of social media being used for advocacy, education, and community building.

What role does social media play in your friendships and relationships?

Discuss both the benefits and challenges of maintaining relationships through social media.