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Lesson

Sexting and Relationships

What are the risks and potential consequences of sexting?

Grade

8

Time

50 mins.
See quicker lesson

It's natural for teens to be curious about their emerging sexuality. But most middle schoolers aren't prepared for the risks of exploring this in the digital age. Help students think critically about self-disclosure in relationships and practice how they'd respond to a situation where sexting -- or a request for sexting -- might happen.

Objectives:
  • Compare the risks and benefits of self-disclosure in relationships.

  • Identify the risks and potential consequences of sexting.

  • Use the Feelings & Options thinking routine to consider how to respond in situations where sexting could occur.

Vocabulary Show definitions
self-disclosure · sexting · red flag feeling

self-disclosure – sharing private or personal thoughts and feelings with someone
sexting – digital sharing of intimate images or video with another person
red flag feeling – when something happens on digital media that makes you feel uncomfortable, worried, sad, or anxious
STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
Lesson video
Teen Voices: Sexting, Relationships, and Risks
Student Video
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Topics 1

STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
Sign in or join to unlock this free lesson.

Key Standards Supported

Common Core ELA

L.8.1, L.8.2, L.8.2c, L.8.3, L.8.4, L.8.6, RI.8.1, RI.8.10, RI.8.2, RI.8.4, SL.8.1, SL.8.1a, SL.8.1b, SL.8.1c, SL.8.1d, SL.8.2, SL.8.3, SL.8.4, SL.8.6, W.8.10, W.8.4

ISTE

2a, 2b, 2d

CASEL

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f

AASL

I.A.1, I.A.2, II.A.1, II.A.2, III.A.1, III.A.2, V.A.2, V.A.3, VI.A.1, VI.A.2, VI.A.3, I.B.1, I.B.2, I.B.3, II.B.1, II.B.2, III.B.1, III.B.2, IV.B.2, IV.B.3, IV.B.4, I.C.1, II.C.1, II.C.2, III.C.1, III.C.2, V.C.1, V.C.3, I.D.1, I.D.2, I.D.3, I.D.4, II.D.1, II.D.2, II.D.3, III.D.1, III.D.2, V.D.1, V.D.2, VI.D.1, VI.D.2, VI.D.3, II.B.3

Lesson Plan

50 mins.

Warm Up: Self-Disclosure

15 mins.

Analyze: Late-Night Texting

20 mins.

Enact: Real-Life Responses

15 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: July 2020

What You'll Need

In Class

  • Lesson Slides
  • Video: Teen Voices: Sexting, Relationships, and Risks
  • Late Night Texting
    Handout
    Teacher Version
  • Lesson Quiz

For Families

  • Family Activity
  • Family Tips
    English Spanish More languages
    Open
  • Family Engagement Resources
Select a resource, then open in English or Spanish.
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: July 2020

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