| Goal Objectives | Encourage teens to be more intentional with their social media use and apply the skills learned in their daily livesUnderstand the impact of social media on mental health and well-being.Develop healthy social media habits.Learn how to critically assess online content.Understand privacy, security, and digital footprints. |
| Key message | Teenagers need to be aware of both the positive and negative impacts of social media on their lives. Here are some key messages:1. Social Media Affects Mental Health Excessive use can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Comparing your life to others’ highlight reels can create unrealistic expectations.Cyberbullying and negative comments can hurt mental well-being.2. Your Digital Footprint Lasts Forever Everything you post online can be screenshotted, shared, and never truly deleted. Future employers, colleges, and others may look at your online activity.3. Social Media Can Be Addictive Apps are designed to keep you scrolling for as long as possible. Too much screen time can disrupt sleep, reduce focus, and harm relationships.4. Fake News and Misinformation Are Everywhere. Not everything you see online is true or reliable. Always fact-check sources before believing or sharing information.5. Privacy and Security Matter Be cautious about sharing personal information (location, school, etc.). Use strong passwords and privacy settings to protect yourself.6. Social Media Can Be Positive—If Used Wisely It helps you stay connected with friends and family. You can learn new things, explore interests, and find inspiration. It’s a great platform for raising awareness and expressing creativity.7. Balance is Key Take breaks, set limits, and spend more time offline to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Prioritize real-life relationships, hobbies, and self-care. |
| Skills we’ll learn 10 essential life skills | To make the most of the Internet, you need to be prepared to make smart decisions.Share with care, Don’t fall for Fake, Secure your secrets, Make a positive impact, Know where to get help. Critical thinking, effective communication, interpersonal skills, coping with stress. |
| Time:Number and age of participants | 1 hour ( but activities could be expanded over a longer time) 10-15 |
| Warm-up activities/Meditative technique | ‘Icebreaker’: Introductory warm up activity (7-10 min) Choose from the Activity Bank – meditative techniques for relaxation and mindfulness or warm-up games that create a fun, relaxed environment, as appropriate to the participants. |
| Materials/Resources | Handout on healthy social media habits.List of credible fact-checking websites.Critical Thinking Checklist for Social MediaDigital Detox Challenge Worksheet |
| Activities (List) | 1. Starter (10 minutes) “Two Truths and a Lie” – Participants share three social media habits, and the group guesses which one is false.Handout on healthy social media habits.List of credible fact-checking websites.Digital detox challenge worksheet. 2 Starter Fact or Fake? (10 minutes)Present social media headlines/posts (some real, some fake).Participants vote on whether they think each is true or false.Brief discussion on how misinformation spreads.Activities 1. Understanding Misinformation (15 minutes)2. Activity: Spot the Red Flags (15 minutes)3 Who’s Influencing You? (15 minutes)4. Responsible Sharing (15 minutes)5. Digital Citizenship & Wrap-Up (20 minutes) |
| Feedback Follow up | Participants set personal goals for critical social media useFacilitator Feedback: Post workshop feedback form |
Lesson Activities
Please choose from the activities provided, how many and which ones you can do, according to the time available and your participants.
Activities
1. Understanding Misinformation (15 minutes)
- Explanation of different types: clickbait, deep fakes, manipulated images, biased news.
- Why do people create and share false information?
2. Activity: Spot the Red Flags (15 minutes)
- Small groups analyze different social media posts.
- Identify warning signs of misinformation (e.g., lack of sources, emotional language, manipulated images).
- Share findings with the group.
3 Who’s Influencing You? (15 minutes)
- Discussion on influencers, algorithms, and echo chambers.
- How social media platforms shape what we see.
- Personal reflection: How do your feeds shape your opinions?
4. Responsible Sharing (15 minutes)
- The impact of spreading misinformation.
- Quick checklist before sharing: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary?
- Activity: Rewrite a misleading post to be more accurate.
5. Digital Citizenship & Wrap-Up (20 minutes)
- How to engage responsibly in online discussions.
- The role of empathy and respectful communication.
- Participants set personal goals for critical social media use.
Critical Thinking Checklist for Social Media
Use this checklist before engaging with or sharing content on social media to ensure you are thinking critically and responsibly.
1. Source & Credibility
✅ Who created or posted this content?
✅ Is the source reliable and well-known?
✅ Can I verify this information from other trustworthy sources?
2. Accuracy & Evidence
✅ Does this post include credible sources or citations?
✅ Are there supporting facts, expert opinions, or direct evidence?
✅ Does the information align with known facts?
3. Emotional & Persuasive Language
✅ Does this post use emotional, exaggerated, or manipulative language?
✅ Is it designed to provoke strong reactions (anger, fear, excitement)?
✅ Am I reacting emotionally rather than logically?
4. Bias & Perspective
✅ Does this post present multiple viewpoints?
✅ Is there an agenda or bias behind this content?
✅ Am I seeing this because of an algorithm or echo chamber?
5. Image & Video Verification
✅ Could this image or video be altered, edited, or taken out of context?
✅ Can I do a reverse image search to verify its authenticity?
✅ Does it seem too shocking or unbelievable?
6. Sharing Responsibly
✅ Have I fact-checked before reposting or sharing?
✅ Am I contributing to meaningful, respectful discussions?
✅ Would I say or share this if I were speaking face-to-face?
Reminder: Think before you scroll, engage, or share! Critical thinking helps create a more informed and responsible digital community.
Digital Detox Challenge Worksheet
Challenge Goal:
Take control of your social media habits by reducing screen time, increasing mindfulness, and finding balance in your daily life.
Instructions:
Complete each challenge over the next seven days. Reflect on your experience at the end of each day.
Day 1: Track Your Usage
- Use a screen time tracker to measure how much time you spend on social media.
- Reflect: What surprised you about your usage?
Day 2: Unfollow & Clean Up
- Unfollow accounts that don’t inspire, educate, or bring positivity.
- Mute notifications from distracting apps.
- Reflect: How do you feel after decluttering your feed?
Day 3: No-Phone Meals
- Put your phone away during meals and focus on real conversations.
- Reflect: Did you feel more engaged with those around you?
Day 4: One-Hour Screen-Free Challenge
- Choose one hour of the day to stay completely off social media.
- Reflect: What did you do instead? How did it feel?
Day 5: Mindful Posting
- If you post today, be intentional: Share something meaningful, positive, or creative.
- Reflect: How did this change the way you use social media?
Day 6: Social Media-Free Evening
- Stay off social media for at least 2 hours before bedtime.
- Reflect: Did you sleep better or feel more relaxed?
Day 7: Complete Detox Day
- Take an entire day off from social media. Engage in offline activities like reading, exercising, or spending time outdoors.
- Reflect: What did you learn about your relationship with social media?
Final Reflection:
- What was the hardest part of the challenge?
- What positive changes did you notice?
- How will you continue to practice digital balance in your daily life?
Reminder: A digital detox doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Small, consistent changes can lead to healthier social media habits!
Facilitator notes
Signs of Unhealthy Social Media Use
- Excessive Screen Time – Spending hours scrolling with no clear purpose.
- Mood Swings – Feeling anxious, sad, or frustrated after using social media.
- Comparison & Low Self-Esteem – Frequently comparing yourself to others and feeling inadequate.
- Sleep Disruptions – Staying up late on social media, leading to poor sleep.
- Neglecting Responsibilities – Struggling with school, work, or personal tasks due to social media distractions.
- Social Withdrawal – Preferring online interactions over real-life connections.
- Compulsive Checking – Feeling the urge to check notifications constantly.
- Cyberbullying or Toxic Interactions – Experiencing or engaging in negative online behavior.
- Lack of Privacy Awareness – Oversharing personal details without considering consequences.
- Difficulty Enjoying Offline Activities – Finding it hard to disconnect and be present.
More detailed workshop plans can be found in Internet Safety Booklet ‘Be Internet Awesome’ (designed for younger age groups but also applicable for teenagers)
