The Problem With Parents, Kids And Social Media
General English
Intermediate
In this ESL lesson plan on social media, students will explore the challenges that arise for parents when their children begin to navigate the world of social media. The class will discuss communication, privacy, and responsible online behaviour. Enjoy!
Pre-Lesson Work.
Instructions:
Download and send the pre-lesson work to your students for class preparation.
Warm Up.
Activity Instructions
Identify the social media platform from the logo.
Activity Aim
A fun warmer to start the lesson, and to introduce the topic.
Activity Time
5 minutes.
What social platform is this?
of 10
LinkedIn.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
X (formerly Twitter).
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
Pinterest.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
Snapchat.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
TikTok.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
Reddit.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
Tumblr.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
Flickr.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
WeChat.
of 10
What social platform is this?
of 10
MySpace.
of 10
Lead-in Questions.
Activity Instructions
Discuss the following lead-in questions as a class.
Activity Aim
Introduce the topic through engaging questions.
Activity Time
10 minutes.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
.png)
How long do you spend on social media each day?
.png)
How old were you when you started using social media?
How has your social media usage changed over the past 10 years?
.png)
Do you think social media will still be popular in 10 years?
Video.
Activity Instructions
Watch the video before or during the class.
Activity Aim
Explore the challenges that arise for parents when their children begin to navigate the world of social media.
Activity Time
3 minutes.
Comprehension.
Activity Instructions
Choose the correct answer to each video-based comprehension question.
Activity Aim
Ensure students understand the ideas and concepts presented in the video.
Activity Time
5 minutes.
of 9
Video Quotes.
Activity Instructions
Complete the video quotes by choosing the correct words.
Activity Aim
Improve reading and comprehension skills, and expand vocabulary.
Activity Time
10 minutes.
Discussion.
Activity Instructions
Discuss the following questions as a class.
Activity Aim
Learn through speaking and making errors. Have fun!
Activity Time
30 minutes.
.png)
Why do you think parents are fearful of how their kids spend their time on social media?
.png)
Give examples of poor decisions kids could make on social media?
.png)
Do you think schools should teach kids how to behave online?
.png)
How can social media be draining for kids?
In what ways can social media be positive for kids?
What does it mean to align the time you spend on social media with your personal values?
.png)
According to the video, why is it important to learn about the apps one’s kids are using?
Do you think your parents understood how to use the technology you used as a kids? How did this affect your relationship with your parents?
What is a digital detox?
According to the video, how can a digital detox help and protect kids?
Have you ever tried a digital detox? If so, how did you feel during and after? If not, would you be open to trying one?
.png)
What do you think kids should opt into and opt out of regarding social media?
.png)
Thinking about yourself, can you explain why you spend time on social media?
.png)
For yourself, what are the pros and cons of using social media?
.png)
What age do you think kids should be allowed to start using social media?
.png)
How can social media companies protect young people online?
.png.jpg)
Do you think the world would be a better place if social media never existed?
.png.jpg)
Give your overall thoughts of the video. What does it suggest? Do you agree or disagree with the suggestion?
Debate.
Activity Instructions
State if you agree or disagree with each statement, explaining why. Use the language from the pre-lesson work PDF.
Activity Aim
Improve speaking skills, critical thinking, and persuasive communication.
Activity Time
15 minutes.
.png.jpg)
Banning social media for children is the only way to protect them from its negative effects.
.png)
Parents who post pictures and information about their children on social media are violating their privacy rights.
.png.jpg)
It's the parents' responsibility to educate their children about online safety, not the schools or the government.
.png.jpg)
Online bullying and harassment are exaggerated problems, and kids should learn to be stronger.
.png_1699019369.jpg)
People should verify their identities on social media platforms to stop trolls and online harassment.
Would you rather?
Activity Instructions
Decide on the preferred option, then provide a detailed explanation, weighing the pros and cons of both options.
Activity Aim
Improve language skills through engaging conversations and hypothetical thinking.
Activity Time
15 minutes.
.png.jpg)
Would you rather give up social media for a year or give up your smartphone for a year?
.png_1699019464.jpg)
Would you rather only have access to YouTube on the Internet or only have access to social media?
.png)
Would you rather eat the same food for the rest of your life or never use Instagram again?
Would you rather have your parents follow you on all social media platforms or your boss?
.png_1699019506.jpg)
Would you rather receive only positive comments and messages on your posts but have very few followers, or have a massive following with a mix of positive and negative comments?
Homework.
Instructions:
Download the homework PDF and send to the student.
Exlpore More Lessons
.jpg)
Work Is The New God
.jpg)
Why Is Work So Boring
_1703072641.jpg)
3 Ways To Motivate Employees