Social Media Technologies – SS1 Digital Technologies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Social media refers to websites and apps that let people create content, share it and interact with others in real time.

Subject: Digital Technologies
Class: SS1

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define social media and explain how it differs from traditional media;
2. name popular social media platforms and the type each one belongs to;
3. state the benefits of social media;
4. identify the risks of social media;
5. apply the T.H.I.N.K. rule and other habits of a responsible digital citizen.

What is social media?

Social media is a group of websites and apps where users create, share and react to content.

• Past internet: it was like a library, where people went mainly to read.
• Today’s internet: it is like a town square, where people meet, talk and share.
• User role: every user can be a creator as well as a viewer.
• Content shared: text, photos, videos, voice notes and links.
• Interaction: likes, comments, shares and direct messages.

How is social media different from traditional media?

Traditional media are channels such as TV, radio and newspapers that send information in one direction to the audience.

Social media is a two-way channel where the audience can reply, share and publish its own content.

What are the types of social media platforms?

There are five common types of social media platform: networking, visual or photo, micro-blogging, video and messaging.

Networking

• Use: connecting with friends, family and professionals.
• Examples: Facebook, and LinkedIn (used for jobs).

Visual or photo

• Use: sharing pictures and short visual stories.
• Examples: Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest.

Micro-blogging

• Use: posting short written updates and following conversations.
• Examples: X (formerly Twitter), Threads.

Video

• Use: watching and posting videos.
• Examples: TikTok, YouTube.

Messaging

• Use: private chats, group chats and calls.
• Examples: WhatsApp, Telegram.

What are the benefits of social media?

The benefits of social media are global connection, learning, self-expression, awareness and business opportunity.

1. Global connection: you can keep in touch with a friend in Japan or London using data or Wi-Fi, without paying call charges.
2. Learning and education: students use YouTube or TikTok for “how-to” videos on difficult maths topics or to learn a new language.
3. Self-expression: it gives singers, artists and writers a place to share their talents.
4. Awareness and change: news spreads quickly, and a community can use it to raise money or draw the government’s attention to a problem.
5. Business opportunity: many young Nigerians sell clothes, food or services on Instagram and WhatsApp Status.

What are the risks of social media?

The risks of social media are mental health effects, privacy leaks, fake news, addiction and cybercrime.

• The “highlight reel” problem: people post mostly their best moments, so your own life can feel boring or “not good enough”. This affects mental health.
• Privacy leaks: sharing too much, such as your school uniform or house address, can help strangers or criminals track you.
• Fake news: false information spreads fast and can cause panic or lead people to make bad decisions.
• Addiction: apps are designed to keep you scrolling. This can take away sleep, study time and real-life friendships.
• Cybercrime: scammers use fake profiles to trick people into sending money or sharing private secrets.

What is responsible digital citizenship?

A digital citizen is a person who uses the internet and understands that online actions have real-world consequences.

A responsible digital citizen follows three rules.

1. What is the T.H.I.N.K. rule?

The T.H.I.N.K. rule is a set of five questions to ask before you hit “Post” or “Send”.

• T: Is it True?
• H: Is it Helpful?
• I: Is it Inspiring?
• N: Is it Necessary?
• K: Is it Kind?

2. Respecting others

• Keyboard warrior: a person who says harsh things online that they would not say face to face.
• Simple test: if you would not say it to a person’s face, do not type it in their comments.

3. Protecting your future

• Digital footprint: the trail of posts, comments and photos you leave online.
• Who may check it: university admissions officers and employers may look at it.
• Lasting effect: a post made in SS1 can still be found years later and may affect a job chance.
• Habit: always post with your future self in mind.

What are the tips for a healthy digital life?

Social media is a tool, and like a hammer it can build a house or break a window, depending on how you use it.

• Set a timer: use an app to limit your social media time, for example to 1 hour a day.
• Audit your “following” list: unfollow any account that makes you feel sad or angry.
• Verify before you share: check a trusted news site before forwarding a “shocking” post.
• Keep it private: use a private account and accept requests only from people you know in real life.

Class activity and discussion

1. Which social media platform do you spend the most time on? Is that time helping you or hurting you?
2. Have you ever seen “fake news” online? How did you know it was fake?

Evaluation

1. Define social media.
2. How is social media different from TV and newspapers?
3. State three benefits of social media.
4. Explain the “highlight reel” problem.
5. What does each letter of the T.H.I.N.K. rule stand for?

Assignment

Go through your last 5 posts or comments and apply the T.H.I.N.K. rule to each one. Write down anything you would change.