Social Smarts Lesson Plan Social Smarts
Stay Safe Online! Lesson Plan
30 Minutes
Why this matters
Learning to use social media safely is crucial for students' well-being and helps them navigate the online world with confidence, avoiding potential risks like privacy breaches or cyberbullying. This lesson empowers them to make smart choices online.
Audience
9th Grade Students (Tier 2 Support)
Approach
Interactive discussion & scenario-based learning
Teacher Prep
Review the Social Smarts Slide Deck and Teacher Script . Adjust language for your group's needs.
Print and cut out cards for the Safe Social Media Scenarios Activity .
Set up the projection for the Slide Deck .
Materials Needed
• Social Smarts Slide Deck
• Teacher Script
• Safe Social Media Scenarios Activity
• Social Media Safety Check Cool Down
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify at least two ways to protect personal information, recognize one example of trustworthy vs. untrustworthy content, and describe one step to take if they encounter cyberbullying.
Instructional Steps
1
Warm-Up & Introduction
5 mins
Engage students with simple questions: "What is social media?" or "What are some social media apps you know?"
Key Action: Introduce the lesson's goal: learning to stay safe and smart online.
2
Understanding Online Privacy
10 mins
Discuss what 'personal information' is and why it's important to keep it private. Provide clear examples of strong passwords and privacy settings.
Reference: Slide Deck (Slides 2-4) & Teacher Script
3
Trustworthy Content & Cyberbullying
10 mins
Differentiate between real/fake info. Introduce the "Stop, Block, Tell" strategy for cyberbullying. Complete the Scenario Activity.
Reference: Slide Deck (Slides 5-7) & Scenarios Activity
4
Wrap-Up & Cool Down
5 mins
Review key takeaways using Slide 8. Distribute and collect the Cool Down tickets to assess understanding.
Key Action: Collect tickets to inform future instruction.
Social Smarts Slide Deck Digital Literacy
Social Smarts:
Stay Safe Online!
Let's learn how to use social media safely and smartly!
Teacher Note: Welcome students. Ask: "What are some social media apps you know?"
What is 'Personal Information'?
Things about YOU that you should keep private:
Your full name
Your address or where you live
Your phone number
Pictures showing your current location
Your school name
Keep it
Teacher Note: Explain personal info using simple language. Ask: "Why keep it private?"
Keep Your Info Private!
Strong Passwords
Mix letters, numbers, and symbols.
Sm@rtPh0ne!
Privacy Settings
Check who can see your profile and your posts.
Only friends you trust!
Think Before Posting
Once it's online, it stays online forever.
Think Twice!
Teacher Note: Discuss password safety. Emphasize "Think Before You Post."
Who Are Your Online Friends?
Friends
People you know in real life.
Strangers
People you don't know.
Be careful about accepting requests from people you don't recognize!
Teacher Note: Discuss why connecting with strangers is risky. Reinforce real-life connections.
Real or Fake?
Not everything you see online is true!
Look for trusted sources: News websites and official groups.
Ask an adult: If you aren't sure, ask a parent or teacher.
🤨
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Teacher Note: Discuss trustworthy vs. untrustworthy content. Use relatable examples.
What is Cyberbullying?
"Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to hurt or scare another person."
Mean messages or comments
Spreading rumors online
Sharing embarrassing pictures
Leaving people out of groups
Teacher Note: Define cyberbullying simply. Ask: "How would that make someone feel?"
What to Do About Cyberbullying
If someone is mean to you online, follow these steps:
1
Social Smarts Teacher Script Social Smarts Script
Stay Safe Online! • Facilitation Guide
Teacher Resource
Do not distribute to students
5 MIN
1. Warm-Up & Introduction
Display Slide 1
Teacher says: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important that many of you use: social media. Can anyone tell me what social media is, or name some apps they know?"
Pause for student responses. Affirm and guide. Examples: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat.
Teacher says: "That's right! Social media is a way we connect, share, and learn online. It can be a lot of fun, but it's also important to be smart and safe when we use it. Today, we're going to learn how to be 'Social Smarts Stars' and stay safe online!"
10 MIN
2. Online Privacy
Display Slide 2
Teacher says: "First, let's talk about 'personal information.' This is information that tells people who you are and where you are. Why do you think it's important to keep some information private online?"
Pause for responses. Guide towards safety and not everyone needing to know everything.
"Exactly! We want to keep ourselves safe. Take a look at this list on the screen. These are examples of personal information you should always keep private online. Can someone read one example for us?"
Call on students to read examples: full name, address, phone number, location, school name. Ask: "If someone online asks you for any of this information, what should you do?"
Display Slide 3 & 4
Teacher says: "A strong password is like a super-secret code. Look at the example: Sm@rtPh0ne! See the symbols and numbers? Also, check your privacy settings—it's like choosing who gets to see your house. Only share with people you know in real life."
"And remember: Think Before You Post! Once it's online, it's hard to take back. Ask yourself: Is this kind? Is it safe?"
10 MIN
3. Trust & Cyberbullying
Display Slide 5
Teacher says: "Is everything we see on the internet true? No! Sometimes people try to trick you. Look for trusted sources. If you're not sure, what should you do?" (Guide to: Ask an adult ). "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"
Display Slide 6 & 7
Teacher says: "Sadly, some people are mean online. This is cyberbullying . It can be mean messages or spreading rumors. If you see it or experience it, use the rule: STOP, BLOCK, TELL. "
STOP: Don't respond. Don't fight back.
Social Smarts Scenarios Activity Social Smarts Activity
Safe Social Media Scenarios
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
How to be a Social Smarts Star!
Read each scenario below. Discuss with your group or class what you would do to stay safe. Remember our rules: Keep it private, Think before you post, Connect with people you know, and STOP, BLOCK, TELL!
1 New Friend Request
Situation: You get a friend request on social media from someone you don't know. Their profile picture looks cool, but you have never met them in real life.
What would a "Social Smarts Star" do?
2 Sharing Your Location
Situation: You are at a fun event with your family. You want to post a picture online and tag your exact location so all your friends know where you are.
What would a "Social Smarts Star" do?
3 A Mean Comment
Situation: You post a picture you really like, and someone leaves a mean comment saying your picture is ugly and that you should delete your account.
What would a "Social Smarts Star" do?
STOP
BLOCK
TELL
Social Media Safety Check Cool Down Safety Check
Social Smarts Cool Down
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Great job today! Use this sheet to show what you learned about being a Social Smarts Star.
1. What should you keep PRIVATE?
Check the boxes for things you should NOT share with strangers online:
My Full Name
My Phone Number
My Address
My School Name
2. If someone is mean to you...
Fill in the missing words for our safety rule:
STOP
Don't fight back.
______
Close the door.
______
Find an adult.
3. One thing I learned today:
Social Smarts Star
