Lesson: Body Image and Social Media
In this lesson, students students consider the ways in which social media promotes the “comparison game,” and the impacts that can have on body image and self-esteem. They analyze games designed to foster more positive and mindful use of technology and then design their own game for that purpose.
Grade range: 7-8
Teacher Material: https://pressbooks.pub/mediasmarts/chapter/introducing-the-comparison-game/
Student Material: https://pressbooks.pub/mediasmarts/chapter/never-have-i-ever/
Time Frame
| One class period (75 minutes) | Two or three class periods (150-225 minutes) | Extended Unit |
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| Activities |
Introducing the Comparison Game Exploring the Comparison Game
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Introducing the Comparison Game Exploring the Comparison Game Gaming for Good: The Disconnection Challenge SuperBetter Games
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Introducing the Comparison Game
Exploring the Comparison Game Gaming for Good: The Disconnection Challenge SuperBetter Games Countering the Comparison Game Reflection |
Preparation:
- Make sure that you are able to show the embedded videos or that students are able to access the links.
- Make sure that students are able to access the interactive activities.
A printable version of this lesson is available here.
Learning Outcomes
Big ideas/key concepts: Students will understand that…
Media are constructions
- Our media experiences influence how we see both our own and other people’s lives and bodies
Digital media experiences are shaped by the tools we use
- Different social media platforms’ features and designs influence how we use them and the impact they have on us
- The algorithms used by social media platforms serve us content, which also influences the impact they have on us
Key questions:
- How does the design of social media platforms nudge us to play the “comparison game”?
- How can we use social media without engaging in the “comparison game”?
Essential knowledge: Students will know…
- Reading media: What features of social media encourage us to compare ourselves to other people; the different ways that social media algorithms are optimized can make us more or less likely to compare ourselves to other people
- Media representation: How social media represents our friends, peers and celebrities
- Media health: How media representation of peers and celebrities affects our body image and self-esteem; how to manage the impact of social media on our well-being
- Key vocabulary: Platform
Performance tasks: Students will be able to…
- Use: Make a game that promotes healthy and mindful media use
- Understand: Analyze either the design or the algorithm of a social media platform to identify its impact on body image and self-esteem
- Engage: Advocate for changes to make digital media tools more healthful
Curriculum Connections
Strand A: Literacy Connections and Applications
A2. Digital Media Literacy
A2.2 Online Safety, Well-Being, and Etiquette
demonstrate an understanding of how to navigate online environments safely, manage their privacy, personal data, and security, and interact in a way that supports their well-being and that of others, including seeking appropriate permission
A2.4 Forms, Conventions and Techniques
evaluate the use of the various forms, conventions, and techniques of digital and media texts, consider the impact on the audience, and apply this understanding when analyzing and creating texts
A2.5 Media, Audience, and Production
demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships between the form, message, and context of texts, the intended and unintended audience, and the purpose for production
A3. Applications, Connections and Contributions
A3.1 Cross-Curricular and Integrated Learning
analyze and explain how the knowledge and skills developed in this course support learning in various subject areas and in everyday life, and describe how they enhance understanding and communication
Strand C: Composition (Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts)
C1 Knowledge About Texts
C1.2 Text Forms and Genres
Grade 7: analyze a variety of text forms and genres, including cultural text forms, and explain how their characteristics help communicate meaning
Grade 8: analyze and compare the characteristics of various text forms and genres, including cultural text forms, and provide evidence to explain how they help comm
C3 Critical Thinking in Literacy
C3.3 Analyzing Texts
analyze complex texts, including literary and informational texts, by evaluating, synthesizing, and sequencing relevant information and formulating conclusions
Strand D: Composition (Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts)
D1.1 Purpose and Audience
Grade 7: identify the topic, purpose, and audience for various texts they plan to create, and analyze why the chosen text form, genre, and medium suit the purpose and audience, and how they will help communicate the intended meaning
Grade 8: identify the topic, purpose, and audience for various texts they plan to create; choose a text form, genre, and medium to suit the purpose and audience, and justify their choices
D1.2 Developing Ideas
generate and develop ideas and details about various topics, such as topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to other subject areas, using a variety of strategies, and drawing on various resources, including their own lived experiences
D1.4 Organizing Content
Grade 7: classify and sequence ideas and collected information, using appropriate strategies and tools, and identify and organize relevant content, taking into account the chosen text form, genre, and medium
Grade 8: classify and sequence ideas and collected information, selecting effective strategies and tools, and identify and organize relevant content, evaluating the choices of text form, genre, and medium, and considering
D2 Creating Texts
D2.1 Producing Drafts
Grade 7: draft complex texts of various forms and genres, including narrative, expository, and informational texts, using a variety of media, tools, and strategies
Grade 8: draft complex texts of various forms and genres, including narrative, persuasive, expository, and informational texts, citing sources, and use a variety of appropriate media, tools, and strategies to transform information and communicate ideas
D3 Publishing, Presenting and Reflecting
D3.1 Producing Final Texts
produce final texts using appropriate techniques and tools, including digital design and production tools, to achieve the intended effect
D3.2 Publishing and Presenting Texts
publish and present texts they have created, using various media and tools, and evaluate how their choices helped them communicate their intended message
D3.3 Reflecting on Learning
evaluate the strategies and tools they found helpful when publishing and presenting texts, reflect on what they learned at each stage of the creative process, analyze how their texts address various topics, and suggest steps for future improvement as a text creator