Sample Lesson Week 3- Y2:M3:W3
TOPIC
Problem-solving
FOCUS
Social Media
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Have I learnt anything new about staying safe online?
Session content
- Please scan read the guidance on pages 5-7, which explains the importance of discussing social media with children when supporting their mental health.
- Introduction:
- Use SLIDE 5 to introduce what social media is (types of electronic communication (such as social networking websites, online communities that share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content, such as videos).
- Having open conversations around social media use is really important.
- Discussion and group work:
- Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of it from their point of view- allow them time to discuss this in groups/pairs and record on a large sheet of paper.
- Try to find out who has a phone already in the class and who has played games on their devices that involve social contact online.
- Stress the need to have breaks from technology and especially social media as these breaks can be good for our MH.
- Share that connecting on social media can be useful but it’s important to not feel like you have to be available on social media all the time- that’s a lot of pressure!
- Also, say that some social media sites are all about getting ‘likes’ for your photos, posts or ideas.
- Explain that it can feel really difficult for people if they don’t get many ‘likes.’
- However, say it’s a good idea to try to understand that the ‘likes’ don’t really mean very much in terms of love, worth or value (check they know what those words mean).
- Say it is normal though to want those ‘likes,’ and science tells us that getting these ‘likes’ release ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain.
- Say that it’s normal also to not want to miss out on being on social media as much as their friends (it’s called FOMO (fear of missing out)).
- Share the tips for staying safe online (Appendix 22) and unfollowing people that aren’t kind. Please add any other tips you can think of on the second sheet of Appendix 22.
- Explain that this approach can be useful if they are not sure about something they have found online:
- STOP
- THINK
- CHECK (with an adult)
- Protector Safety Code:
- Tell the class: When you go online, you can be a Protector. Protectors keep themselves and others safe by using the Safety Code:
- STOP ✋
- Put up your hand like you’re holding a shield.
- Freeze…don’t click, don’t scroll.
- THINK 💭
- Touch your chin like a wise Protector.
- Ask: “Does this look okay? Do I understand it? How does it make me feel?”
- CHECK 👩👩👦
- Go to your “Protector Team” (parent, carer, teacher, or another trusted adult).
- Say: “Please can you check this with me?”
- Remember: Protectors never work alone…they protect each other.
- Task: Scenario:
- Use SLIDE 6 to share a scenario about Lily. Ask them to discuss this scenario and decide what Lily should do next. Of course, any response relies on a consideration of all the specific factors involved in a situation, but generally the advice to any unkind comments online is: not to retaliate or reply in the chat but to take a screenshot as evidence and calmly advocate for yourself by explaining to the person how reading the comment made you feel.
- It might be that an online comment wasn’t meant in the way it was perceived but sharing how you feel with the person gives them the chance to explain this.
- Hopefully then the person will reflect on this and be more sensitive in the future.
- Suggest that perhaps Lily could try this with Bella and advocate for herself.
- Stress though that if these kinds of comments continue, then Lily will need help from an adult to manage it.
- Ask each child to put a counter in the SAPs (self-assessment pots) to show if they have achieved the LO and record results. If a child is okay to share, ask those that put a counter in the ‘yes’ pot, what it is that they have learnt about staying safe online.
Related PSHE Programmes of Study
- 1H9
- 1H34
- 1H28
- 1R10
- 1R12
- 1R14
- 1R21
- 1R22
- 1L8
- 1L9
Feedback from a Year 2 class:
Some children in the class were unaware of social media, but it was good to talk ahead of what they are likely to be exposed to in the future. Many children were fully aware of social media though and it prompted interesting discussion. Really relevant to todays current world!