Online comparisons
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why things online can affect our mental health.
Key learning points
- Comparison between our lives and the lives of others can impact our mental health.
- There is often a difference between how things appear and how they really are online.
- Our expectations of online content do not always align with reality.
- Online content and behaviour can increase anxiety and feelings of comparison.
- Negative and pressurising content can impact our mental wellbeing.
Keywords
Social media - websites and apps used to share words and images with other people
Compare - to look at how similar or different we are to someone else
Influencer - an online celebrity who is famous or trying to get famous
Anxious - feeling worried, nervous, or unsure about something that might happen, like before a test or speaking in front of people; the feeling can also be felt in your body
Common misconception
Images and videos of influencers we see online show the reality of someone's life.
It often takes a huge team to create content, making influencers seem more conventionally attractive, happy or energetic than they normally are.
Teacher tip
Show real examples of unrealistic posts shared by online influencers. Ensure the examples of posts you share are age-appropriate and do not include harmful content or inappropriate language.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to the correct definition.
to put something online, such as a video, image or text
posts, videos, reels and articles put online by a content creator
persuade someone to buy something
Q2.Some influencers lie on social media. True or false?
Q3.What can influencers do online?
Q4.Some influencers create content to get money. True or false?
Q5.We should group chats with strangers.
Q6.What do some people use group chats for?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the correct definition.
websites and apps used to share words and images with other people
an online celebrity who is famous or trying to get famous
feeling worried, nervous, or unsure about something that might happen
Q2.How might someone make their life appear more interesting on social media than it actually is?
Q3.Photos and videos shared by influencers always show the reality of their lives. True or false?
Q4.What might happen if we compare ourselves to others on social media?
Q5.How might someone make their life appear more interesting on social media than it actually is?
Q6.What might happen if we compare ourselves to others on social media?
To help you plan your 5 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Online comparisons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Online comparisons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Our online lives: How do I thrive online? unit, dive into the full primary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.