Personal Development Lesson: Individual Work on Social Media
Objective
To help students reflect on their social media usage, understand its impacts on personal development, and create a personal action plan for responsible social media use.
Duration
30-40 minutes
Activity Overview
Students will engage in individual reflective work where they will assess their current social media habits, evaluate their effects on their personal lives, and formulate a personalized action plan to enhance their social media experience.
Materials Needed
- Journals or notebooks
- Pens or pencils
- Access to a computer or tablet (optional)
- Printed handouts with guiding questions
Activity Steps
Step 1: Reflection (10 minutes)
- Prompt: "How do social media platforms influence your life?"
- Instructions: In their journals, students will write a short reflection addressing the following questions:
- What social media platforms do you use most often?
- Describe one positive impact and one negative impact social media has had on your life.
Tips for Reflection:
- Encourage students to think deeply about their experiences and emotions while using social media.
- Remind them to be honest and consider both their self-image and relationships with others.
Step 2: Self-Assessment (10 minutes)
- Prompt: "Assess your current social media habits."
- Instructions: Distribute printed handouts that include the following self-assessment criteria:
- Time spent on social media daily
- Types of content interacted with (positive vs. negative)
- Feelings before, during, and after using social media
Example Assessment Sheet:
Criteria |
Rating (1-5) |
Comments |
Daily usage time |
|
|
Positive content engagement |
|
|
Negative content engagement |
|
|
Overall mood after usage |
|
|
Step 3: Action Plan (15 minutes)
- Prompt: "Create your personal social media action plan."
- Instructions: Students will draft an action plan outlining how they can make positive changes to their social media habits. This plan should include:
- Goals for social media use (e.g., limiting screen time, engaging with positive content)
- Strategies to limit negative impacts (e.g., unfollowing accounts that make them feel bad, taking breaks)
- A commitment statement on how they will hold themselves accountable
Sample Action Plan Template:
Personal Social Media Action Plan
- Goals:
- Strategies:
- Commitment Statement:
Step 4: Sharing (Optional, 5-10 minutes)
- Prompt: "Share your insights and plans."
- Instructions: If comfortable, students can share a brief summary of their reflections and action plans with a partner or in small groups.
Note: Encourage respect for privacy; students should only share what they are comfortable discussing.
Conclusion
Wrap up the individual work session by encouraging students to revisit their action plans regularly and reflect on the progress they are making. Highlight the importance of being mindful and intentional with social media, emphasizing how it plays a significant role in personal development.
Closing Statements
Ask students to consider how social media shapes their perceptions of themselves and others, and remind them that with awareness and intention, they can navigate the digital world positively.