Lesson ideas and student exercises to help reflect on the different versions of ourselves we present online.

9-12 Teacher Version: Who Are You on Social Media?

Ruled paper

Use the pen tool to circle them or draw in more

"Today we're going to talk about how we portray ourselves online. Let's start by reflecting on which social media sites you are part of." On this page, circle the icons of the social media sites you are part of. If there are more, feel free to draw them in or use the Noun Project icons to add them to the page.

Describe how their curated self may or may not represent their real self. Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of representing different parts of their real self online

Before watching the video, say: "Today we're going to explore the benefits and drawbacks of curating different parts of our real selves online. To begin, we're going to watch this short video where teens share their different perspectives on curation. While watching, think about the questions listed on this page."

Reflection questions - Which perspectives stand out to you in the video?&#160; - Which do you agree or disagree with? Why?

Teen Voices: Who Are You on Social Media?

Narrow ruled paper

"There are many ways to think about your real self and your curated self, and how the two may or may not be related. It's important to recognize that being online presents opportunities to express yourself and see others' self-expression." Have students reflect on the listed reflection question. If time permits, open it up to a class discussion.

How does what you see your friends and influencers post shape how you present yourself online?

Ask: What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of curating your online presence? Have students complete this chart to compare/contrast the two. Then, have a quick class discussion about them. Some examples include, opportunities for self-expression, focusing on the happiest moments of life, seeing unrealistic beauty standards, pressure to get likes or comments, etc.&#160;

Have students make a copy of this 2 page template, or just ask them to create a New Book. Each vision board should be 2 pages long. Once students have finished, you can combine them into a class book.

9-12: Vision Board)

Ask students the question. Have students share with a partner and invite them to share with the class, or record their own answer if they have a copy of this book. Ask students to reflect on the idea of a real self. For example, is there a part of who you are that doesn't ever change, like your personality or your family role? Are there parts of you that can change due to circumstances, like who's around you?

Answer the question below using emojis, audio, text or video

IS THE YOU THAT PEOPLE SEE ONLINE THE REAL YOU?&#160;WHY, OR WHY NOT?

ADD RESPONSES HERE

Say: Both online and in real life, we show different sides of ourselves at different times. Being online and using social media gives us the opportunity to curate what we share with people.&#160; Curate means selecting, organizing, and looking after a collection of photos, writings, or other artifacts.&#160; We do this online when we choose what photos, videos, posts, and details we choose to make public or share with specific groups of people. These decisions can be different for everyone.

This lesson is based on <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u5z4Oxsgol8js3JDZuR-9X9svCjc4njTjzZH6YSG_ok/edit">Who Are You on Social Media?</a> lesson from Common Sense Education's Grades 9-12: SEL in Digital Life. Digital Citizenship Week is being celebrated October 18-22, 2021. See all of <a href="https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship-week">Common Sense Education's activities for the week</a> that help students reflect on how their digital lives impact their social and emotional well-being.

Take your class through this book as a group, adding in responses on the first few pages. Teacher instructions from the lesson plan can be found in the margins. There is a student version of the book without instructions, so students can do their own reflections within Book Creator, if time allows. The primary task for the Hillsborough DigCit Competition is to create a two page vision board, so this part must be done by students individually or in small groups, and you'll combine all their vision boards into a class book.

9-12 Student Version: Who Are You on Social Media?

What does your ideal digital life look like? How do you want to represent yourself in the digital world?

Say: Because it's possible to present yourself in different ways online and offline, it's important to&#160; think about how you can use social media in a way that makes you feel empowered or in control of&#160; who you are.

Create a new two-page book, building a vision board to describe what your ideal digital life would look like. How do you want to be viewed? Will your life be filtered? Be creative! I challenge you to use images, text, and media. You can even import your own drawings. TIP: If you want to organize your vision board in neat boxes, create a Comic Book and then choose which panel layout you like.

"Now, you have a task to create your own vision board of what you want your ideal digital life to look like. Think about strategies for curating an online presence that feels most authentic to you. How do you want to be viewed? Use images, text, and media to show how you want to represent yourself in the digital world."

Name

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