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Lesson 3 of 4
  • Year 10

Social media: how does it influence our views on religion and belief?

I can explain how social media influences understanding of religion and belief and why using critical awareness is important when evaluating online messages

Lesson 3 of 4
New
New
  • Year 10

Social media: how does it influence our views on religion and belief?

I can explain how social media influences understanding of religion and belief and why using critical awareness is important when evaluating online messages

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Social media is used by a majority of people under 24.
  2. Social media has the power to amplify particular voices in society.
  3. Social media can help people explore different religious and non-religious beliefs.
  4. Social media can also be a place where misconceptions about religions and beliefs are spread.
  5. It is important to be critical of messages about religion and belief seen on social media.

Keywords

  • Engagement - how people interact with a post online, such as liking, commenting or sharing

  • Influence - when someone’s thoughts or behaviour are shaped by the content they see; an influencer is a person who aims to shape someone’s thinking

  • Social media - online platforms where people create, share, and interact with content and communities

Common misconception

If a post about religion is widely shared on social media it is likely to be true.

Just because a post is popular doesn’t mean it is accurate; a post can be popular because it is surprising, emotional or entertaining. Widely shared content can still be misleading or false.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Social media: how does it influence our views on religion and belief?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Show students current examples of widely shared social media posts about religion or belief. Ask them to discuss why the posts might be popular and how to apply critical awareness to check their accuracy. Please note Lewis Kent is a fictional character based on case studies and not a real person.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
Media coverage sometimes lacks when discussing religion.

Correct Answer: nuance, Nuance

Q2.
How can search engines reinforce stereotypes?

By avoiding religion
Correct answer: By highlighting narrow or extreme stories
By removing headlines

Q3.
Religions contain great internal ...

Correct Answer: diversity, Diversity

Q4.
What does underrepresentation mean?

Correct answer: Not showing something enough or at all
Showing too many stories
Balanced reporting

Q5.
Religious communities want coverage.

Correct Answer: accurate, Accurate

Assessment exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Social media is widely used by people under ...

Correct Answer: 24, twenty-four

Q2.
Social media can certain voices.

Correct Answer: amplify, Amplify

Q3.
What do algorithms often reward?

Academic research
Correct answer: Engagement such as likes and shares
Accuracy only

Q4.
Why do emotional posts often gain attention?

Because they contain research
Because they avoid opinions
Correct answer: Because they create strong reactions

Q5.
Social media can spread about religions.

Correct Answer: misconceptions, Misconceptions

Q6.
What does critical thinking help us prevent?

Education
Learning
Correct answer: Misinformation