Social media and mental health part 2

Access via our resource bundle

Building on themes from part 1, in part 2 young people will learn ways to manage stress, consider the positives and negatives of social media as well as learn how to protect themselves.
Sign up today

What's included?

  • Lesson PowerPoint

    A ready to go, structured and well-resourced powerpoint with a variety of strategies and activities on social media and mental health.

  • Guided audio-track

    An audio track, adapted from our NHS-approved adult audio track, helps pupils to find ways to manage stress

  • Pupil booklet

    Pupils can work through a downloadable, printable booklet as the lesson is taught so that they can record their thoughts and reflections.

  • Class discussions

    Pupils can take part in discussions, as a class or in pairs or small groups. Teachers and pupils have both reported that these class discussions are unique, engaging and a way for the class to understand each other better.

What do young people say?

Feedback from young people who have been surveyed about social media use has revealed that the messaging around social media only being bad for mental health is having little impact on most young people as it causes them to switch off to it because they feel like they are being lectured.

This lesson takes a different approach

There is a lot of focus on self-reflection rather than lecturing and pupils:

  • Compare what we see on TV, in magazines and on social media with the reality

  • Explore the relationships between well-known celebrities and fictional characters with social media (both the positives and negatives)

  • Are reminded of some of the pitfalls of having an online presence

  • Are invited to revisit the choices they make for themselves around their social media use and how to ensure that they protect themselves

What are the benefits?

Pupils can relate to some aspects of the celebrities’ or fictional characters’ stories, and without feeling like they need to share their personal online habits and behaviours, they are provided with tips and strategies to better manage their relationships with social media

Get started now