Description
Lesson Background
In this digital age, youth face numerous choices regarding their online activities. Unless students take the time to think things through and consider the consequences for their actions, their decisions may be inappropriate for the situation or have undesirable outcomes. The “Thinking Things Through” series sparks critical thinking and open discussion on regarding online actions such as publishing videos online and accepting online friend requests. The goal is to empower students to make wise choices.
Lesson Overview
In this series, students read through an article on the topic of online friending. They then examine and discuss social networking in their generation's digital culture. They think critically about the connections that they form online, their privacy and their reputation. Students write for reflection and consider criteria for accepting or declining friend requests.
Time allowance: 20 minutes
Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students in grades 7-8 will be able to:
- identify positive and negative outcomes of carrying out friendships online (i.e. social networks)
- discuss the impact of social networking on privacy, identity and reputation
- determine boundaries for accepting or denying a friend request
Set-Up & Preparation
- Print and distribute one Student Handout – Reference Page: Online Friending per student
Introduction
Invite students to describe the role of social media in their real-world friendships.
Ask students to indicate, with a show of hands, if they have ever experienced issues resulting from carrying out friendships online.
Tell the students that they will read the article and “Think Things Through” regarding online friending, identify issues and form solutions.
Lesson Sequence
Note that this lesson is shorter in length than a typical ISAFE lesson plan.
Distribute the Student Handout- Reference Page: Online Friending to students.
Instruct students to read the article as a class, in small groups, or individually.
Engage students in a collaborative discussion.
Use the Discussion Questions at the bottom of the Student Handout – Reference Page as discussion prompts:
- What do you consider before accepting a friend request?
- What types of online friends do you have?
- Have you ever regretted friending a person? Why?
- Have you ever had to unfriend a person? Why or why not?
Wrap-Up
Wrap-Up: Reflect and Connect
Students reflect on what they have learned during the class discussion and make connections with their digital habits and practices. They may focus their reflection on one of the discussion questions or describe how the discussion changed their perspective of online friendships.
Empowerment
Youth Empowerment: Leave Your Mark
iDrive is the Youth Outreach and Empowerment program of ISAFE. Students age 13+ can register as an iDrive Agent and participate in number of campaigns and initiatives. Students under the age of 13 can participate in iDrive initiatives given that the teacher registers as the representative of their students under the minimum age requirement. As iDrive Agents in Training, middle school students engage in project-based learning activities to share with other classrooms that are part of the ISAFE community. By providing students with an authentic audience, they gain a greater sense of purpose for their digital citizenship and e-safety projects and presentations.
Encourage students to use online videos to make a positive impact on the world through iDrive Youth Outreach and Empowerment. Students may create a 30-60 second Public Service Announcement or a 3-5 minute Short Form Documentary. Be sure to obtain a Personal Release Form for all persons included in the video.
Give students the opportunity to reach other students from across the United States. Submit the video to the iDrive team at advisoryboard@isafe.org. The video may be selected for iDrive campaigns and initiatives.
Note: Migitate legal liability and demonstrate best practice with regard to student data privacy. Follow your district AUP and obtain Verified Parental Consent (VPC) prior to integrating websites and other online services, including mobile apps, into the learning experience.
Go to isafedirect.com/AUPservices and isafedirect.com/VPCservices.
Student Handout - Reference Page: Thinking Things Through Series: Online Friending
In this series, students examine and discuss online activities that are common in their generation's digital culture. They think critically about the safety and security issues associated with sharing videos and friending people online. The goal is to empower students to make wise choices.