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Browse all UK lesson plans
UK Lesson Plan

How Young Is Too Young for Social Media? (UK)

At what age should people be allowed to use social media?

Age

16–17

Time

45 mins.

Children and young people have to be at least 13 to sign up for most social media platforms. But we know that many work around this restriction. By doing so they can connect with peers and have fun, but they're also susceptible to a number of risks, from privacy to bullying to challenges to their social-emotional well-being. Reflecting on when children and young people should be allowed to use social media can help us think through the risks and rewards of using social media, regardless of our age.

See the US version of this resource

Objectives:
  • Explain why websites that collect personal information have an age requirement of 13.

  • Identify the risks of targeted advertising, especially when it is targeted to children.

  • Use the "Take a Stand" thinking routine to explore different perspectives about what age is best for starting to use social media.

Vocabulary Show definitions
targeted advertising

targeted advertising – advertisements that are shown to you based on information that has been collected about you (location, browsing history, interests, age, etc.)
Lesson slides
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Topics 1

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Key Standards Supported

Lesson Plan

45 mins.

Warm-Up: Quick Write

5 mins.

Consider: Watch & Reflect

15 mins.

Analyse: Take a Stand

20 mins.

Wrap-Up: Circling Back

5 mins.

Additional Resources

Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: January 2021

What You'll Need

In Class

  • Lesson Slides
  • Video: When Is Your Brain Ready for Social Media?
  • New In Town
    Handout
    Teacher Version
  • Lesson Quiz

For Families

  • Family Activity
  • Family Tips
Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: January 2021

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