Basic Concepts and Setting up Social Media Accounts for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Digital Technologies
Curriculum Theme: Online safety
Focal competence: Using social media platforms to communicate responsibly
Key competencies/values: ICT and Digital Competencies; Digital Competencies
Skills:

• Relating and communicating responsibly on social media

Previous Lesson: Requirements and Rules of Digital Citizenship in Digital Technologies
Topic: Social Media Networking
Subject Matter: Basic Concepts, Setting up Social Media Accounts

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• define social media;
• describe social media;
• identify popular social media platforms;
• discuss the characteristics of social media.

Affective Domain

• appreciate the importance of online safety;
• recognise the need for responsible communication on social media.

Psychomotor Domain

• create personal social media accounts.

Social Domain

• demonstrate responsible interaction in online communities.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Digital Technologies textbook for SS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• The Computer Laboratory
• Internet connectivity
• Computer Systems
• Internet-enabled devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets)
• e-resources: e.g. eBooks, videos, audios, pictures, etc.
• Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is essential as social media has become an integral part of modern communication and information sharing. Understanding its basic concepts and how to responsibly set up accounts equips students with vital digital literacy skills. It also promotes awareness of online safety and ethical behaviour, preparing them for safe and effective participation in the digital world.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of computer operation, internet usage, and navigating web browsers.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Social Media Networking

Meaning of Social Media

Social media refers to interactive digital platforms that enable users to create and share content, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. These platforms facilitate communication, collaboration, and interaction among individuals globally.

Popular Social Media Platforms

There are numerous social media platforms, each with unique features and primary uses. Some popular examples include:

1. Facebook: A large social networking service for connecting with friends and family, sharing updates, photos, and videos.
2. Instagram: A photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Meta Platforms.
3. Twitter (now X): A microblogging and social networking service where users post and interact with messages known as “tweets” or “posts.”
4. WhatsApp: A free, cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) service owned by Meta Platforms.
5. YouTube: A video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, rate, share, add to playlists, and comment on videos.
6. TikTok: A short-form video hosting service where users can create and share short videos on any topic.
7. LinkedIn: A business and employment-focused social media platform that operates via websites and mobile apps.

Characteristics of Social Media

Social media platforms share several common characteristics that define their functionality and appeal:

1. User-Generated Content (UGC): The primary content on social media is created and shared by its users, rather than by traditional media producers.
2. Interactivity: Users can interact with content and other users through likes, comments, shares, and direct messages.
3. Connectivity: Platforms allow users to connect with friends, family, colleagues, and strangers based on shared interests or networks.
4. Real-time Updates: Information and content can be shared and consumed almost instantly, leading to dynamic and current discussions.
5. Community Building: Social media fosters the creation of online communities around specific interests, causes, or demographics.
6. Accessibility: Most platforms are accessible via various devices (computers, smartphones, tablets) and require only an internet connection.
7. Personal Profiles: Users create personal profiles that represent their identity on the platform, often including personal information, photos, and interests.

Setting Up Social Media Accounts

Setting up a social media account generally involves a few key steps:

1. Choose a Platform: Select the social media platform you wish to join based on your interests and communication needs.
2. Sign Up/Register: Visit the platform’s website or download its app and look for the “Sign Up” or “Create Account” option.
3. Provide Information: You will typically need to provide an email address or phone number, your name, and sometimes your date of birth.
4. Create Username and Password: Choose a unique username and a strong, secure password. A strong password combines uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
5. Set Up Profile: Fill in your profile details, such as a profile picture, bio, and other relevant information. This helps others find and recognise you.
6. Adjust Privacy Settings: Immediately after creating an account, review and adjust your privacy settings. Decide who can see your posts, profile information, and contact you.
7. Verify Account: Some platforms require email or phone verification to activate your account.

Responsible Practical Use of Social Media

Using social media responsibly is crucial for online safety and maintaining a positive digital footprint:

1. Protect Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal details like your home address, phone number, or financial information publicly.
2. Think Before You Post: Once something is online, it is difficult to remove completely. Consider the impact of your posts on yourself and others.
3. Respect Others’ Privacy: Do not share photos or information about others without their consent.
4. Be Aware of Cyberbullying: Do not engage in or tolerate cyberbullying. Report any instances of harassment or inappropriate behaviour.
5. Verify Information: Be critical of information you see online. Not everything shared on social media is true.
6. Manage Screen Time: Balance your time on social media with other activities to avoid addiction and maintain mental well-being.
7. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication: Secure your accounts to prevent unauthorised access.
8. Understand Privacy Settings: Regularly review and update your privacy settings to control who sees your content.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and then introduces the topic of social media networking by asking students if they use any social media platforms and what they know about them.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share their initial thoughts on social media.

Learning Point: Introduction to social media.

Step 2: Meaning of Social Media

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of social media, providing clear examples and highlighting its role in communication and content sharing. The teacher ensures students understand the concept.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarification, and attempt to define social media in their own words.

Learning Point: Definition of social media.

Step 3: Popular Social Media Platforms

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Search/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to use the internet in the computer laboratory to search for and identify popular social media platforms. The teacher lists their findings on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively search the internet for social media platforms and identify popular ones, sharing their findings with the class.

Learning Point: Common social media platforms.

Step 4: Characteristics of Social Media

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to identify and discuss the characteristics of social media based on their understanding and the platforms they identified. The teacher elaborates on each characteristic.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss and identify characteristics of social media, contributing to the class discussion and taking notes.

Learning Point: Features of social media.

Step 5: Setting Up Social Media Accounts

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the step-by-step process of setting up a social media account (e.g., a new email account or a dummy social media account for demonstration purposes, ensuring no real personal data is used). The teacher guides students to follow along on their devices.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and attempt to create a practice social media account on their internet-enabled devices under the teacher’s supervision, focusing on the steps involved.

Learning Point: Account creation process.

Step 6: Responsible Use and Online Safety

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Awareness/Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the importance of responsible social media use, highlighting online safety tips, privacy settings, and the dangers of cyberbullying and misinformation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions about online safety, and share their understanding of responsible online behaviour.

Learning Point: Responsible online behaviour.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is social media?
2. Mention three popular social media platforms.
3. List two characteristics of social media.
4. Outline the first three steps to create a social media account.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Lesson understanding assessment.

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, platforms, characteristics, and account setup of social media into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes.

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of understanding social media and using it responsibly. The teacher encourages students to practice setting up accounts and exploring privacy settings.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Social media concept consolidation.

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions and complete the practical task:

1. In your own words, describe what social media is and why it is popular.
2. List five social media platforms and state one unique feature of each.
3. Explain two characteristics of social media that you find most interesting.
4. Practically set up a new social media account (e.g., on a platform you haven’t used before, or a dummy account for practice) and take screenshots of the sign-up process and your initial privacy settings. Submit these screenshots to your teacher.
5. Research and write down three important online safety tips for using social media.

Lesson Keywords

• Social media – Interactive digital platforms for creating and sharing content.
• Platform – A specific website or application that hosts social media services.
• Profile – A user’s personal page on a social media platform, containing their information and content.
• Username – A unique identifier used to log in and be recognised on a social media platform.
• Password – A secret word or phrase used to gain access to a social media account.
• Privacy settings – Controls that allow users to manage who can see their information and content on social media.
• Digital footprint – The trail of data left by a person’s online activities.

Differentiation

For students who may struggle, the teacher can provide simplified step-by-step guides for account creation and pair them with more proficient students for peer support. For advanced learners, the teacher can challenge them to research and present on advanced privacy settings or the impact of social media on society.

Suggested Lesson Videos

YouTube search: basic social media concepts for students
YouTube search: how to set up social media account safely