The effects of social media on young people

Int. (B1-B2)

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Share your opinions.

• What are some positive effects of social media?
• What are the potential negative effects?
• How might social media affect young people differently?

Activity 1

Discuss the questions.

• What is social media?
• What do you know about the platforms represented by the images below?
• In what ways are they similar? Or different?

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

How do each of the words in the boxes below relate to social media and mental health?

self-esteem

connection

addiction

privacy

comparison

social media

mental health

Activity 2

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Warm-up

Today’s video is about the effects of social media on young people

Watch a video

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Warm-up

Describe what is happening in each of the images and then discuss the questions below.

Discuss.

• Which image seems the most positive?
• Which seems the most negative?
• How might each situation impact the young person’s mental health?

Activity 3

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Warm-up

Watch the video and look for answers to the following questions:

1. What emotions are mentioned in the video?

2. Which age group is highlighted as being particularly affected?

Activity 4

3. What is a major obstacle for researchers trying to study the impact of social media on mental health?

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Warm-up

Sadness, hopelessness.

Teenagers, particularly those aged 10 to 14.

Let’s check the answers.

Activity 4

1. What emotions are mentioned in the video?

2. Which age group is highlighted as being particularly affected?

3. What is a major obstacle for researchers trying to study the impact of social media on mental health?

Companies have removed access to the data that academics need to study these effects.

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Warm-up

Complete the statements below with the missing words.

contributor

decrease

engaging

studied

adolescence

addictive

1. Social media has become a significant ____________ to the teen mental health crisis.
2. Teen mental health saw a noticeable __________ as social media grew in popularity.
3. The video mentions that social media affects young people, particularly during ____________.
4. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are described as highly __________.
5. The video suggests that the impact of social media is still being __________ by scientists.

Activity 5

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Warm-up

• Social media has become a significant ____________ to the teen mental health crisis.
• Teen mental health saw a noticeable __________ as social media grew in popularity.
• The video mentions that social media affects young people, particularly during ____________.
• Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are described as highly __________.
• The video suggests that the impact of social media is still being __________ by scientists.

contributor

decrease

engaging

studied

adolescence

addictive

contributor

Let’s check the answers.

decrease

adolescence

engaging

studied

Activity 5

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Warm-up

Let’s reinforce your understanding of the new language

Practice

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Warm-up

Match each word or phrase to one of the definitions.

Activity 6

1. Excessive use of digital platforms that interferes with daily life.
2. Someone who uses social media to promote products.
3. Harassing someone through digital communication.
4. Issues surrounding the protection of personal information online.
5. A system used by platforms to decide which content users see based on their behaviour.

1. cyberbullying

2. privacy concerns

3. addiction

4. influencer

5. algorithm

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Let’s check the answers.

1. Excessive use of digital platforms that interferes with daily life.
2. Someone who uses social media to promote products.
3. Harassing someone through digital communication.
4. Issues surrounding the protection of personal information online.
5. A system used by platforms to decide which content users see based on their behaviour.

1. cyberbullying

2. privacy concerns

3. addiction

4. influencer

5. algorithm

Activity 6

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Conduct a survey with a partner. What follow-up questions could you ask?

In the past week, how many times did you…?

Activity 7

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Try to apply what you’ve learned!

Let’s talk

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Imagine the following scenario:

Consider the following points when creating your plan:

• What specific rules or strategies could help reduce social media use?
• How will these rules be communicated to students?
• What incentives or support will be offered to students who follow the plan?

Activity 8

You are part of a school committee tasked with helping students reduce their time on social media. Your school principal has asked you to create a plan with three simple rules or strategies to encourage healthier social media habits among students.

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Warm-up

• How will social media and its impact on mental health change in the next 10-20 years?

Consider the following:

• Technology advancements (e.g. AI, virtual reality).
• Changes in societal norms or attitudes toward screen time and online behaviour.
• Government regulations or industry changes to improve mental health.
• New ways young people might use social media for positive purposes.

Look at the question below and make some predictions for the future.

Activity 9

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Warm-up

Let’s take the conversation to the next level!

A deeper look

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Social media should be banned for children under 16.

Seeing influencers’ posts has a negative impact on your self-esteem.

Social media companies should be responsible for protecting their users’ mental health.

It’s impossible to have a healthy relationship with social media.

Discuss the following statements and decide whether you agree, disagree, or partially agree.

Activity 10

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

First, select 1-2 of the topics below to brainstorm:

You are going to talk for as long as possible while your teacher times you.

1. How social media affects friendships.
2. Social media’s role in raising mental health awareness.
3. Whether social media should have stricter time limits for young people.
4. The positive and negative effects of influencers on social media.
5. How social media platforms could change to improve mental health.

After that, we’ll move to the corresponding slide.

Activity 11

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Let’s brainstorm some of the key points.

When you’re ready, we’ll set the timer and let you talk.

How social media affects friendships.

Activity 11

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Let’s brainstorm some of the key points.

When you’re ready, we’ll set the timer and let you talk.

Social media’s role in raising mental health awareness.

Activity 11

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Let’s brainstorm some of the key points.

When you’re ready, we’ll set the timer and let you talk.

Whether social media should have stricter time limits for young people.

Activity 11

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Let’s brainstorm some of the key points.

When you’re ready, we’ll set the timer and let you talk.

The positive and negative effects of influencers on social media.

Activity 11

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

Let’s brainstorm some of the key points.

When you’re ready, we’ll set the timer and let you talk.

How social media platforms could change to improve mental health.

Activity 11

Let’s explore what you already know!

Warm-up

A little extra practice to help it stick

Homework

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Warm-up

• How social media has positively or negatively influenced your mental health.
• Changes you think social media companies should make to support young people’s mental health.
• How you would personally balance the positive and negative aspects of social media use.

Write a short essay (120-190 words) on one of the following topics:

Note: Try to include at least one example from your own experience.

Homework

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Thank

You!

Let’s explore what you already know!

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