Social Media Networking, Platforms, Online Behaviour and Impact for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Citizenship and Heritage Studies
Curriculum Theme: Relationships, Civic Engagement and
Focal competence: Using social media responsibly with awareness of its impacts and privacy
Key competencies/values: Critical Thinking; Communication; Responsibility
Skills:

• Exhibiting appropriate online behaviour

Previous Lesson: Interfaith Relationships, Religious Differences, Online Communication and Cyber Safety
Topic: Social Media Networking
Subject Matter: Meaning of Social Media Networking, Social media platforms, Online behaviours, Impact of social media on individuals, communities, and society

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Define Social Media Networking.
• Identify various social media platforms.
• Explain different types of online behaviours.
• Discuss the impact of social media on individuals, communities, and society.
• Explain methods for privacy and security management on social media.
• Match social platforms with their common icons.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of responsible online conduct.
• Value personal privacy and security in online interactions.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate how to adjust privacy and security settings on a social media platform.
• Exhibit appropriate online behaviour in simulated scenarios.

Social Domain

• Participate constructively in discussions about social media impacts.

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 Citizenship and Heritage Studies 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:

• Charts displaying social media logos and icons
• Infographics illustrating social media usage statistics and impacts
• Internet access and a projector/smartboard for live demonstrations of social media platforms and privacy settings
• Handouts with scenarios for discussing online behaviours

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is essential for SS 1 students as social media is an integral part of modern communication and interaction. Understanding its mechanisms, impacts, and responsible usage equips students with critical digital literacy skills. It empowers them to navigate the online world safely, ethically, and effectively, fostering responsible citizenship in the digital age.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of the internet and how to use a mobile phone or computer.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Social Media Networking

Meaning of Social Media Networking

Social media networking refers to the use of internet-based platforms and applications that allow individuals to create and exchange user-generated content, participate in social networking, and connect with others online. These platforms facilitate communication, information sharing, and community building among users globally.

Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are online services that enable users to build public or semi-public profiles, connect with other users, and share content. Each platform often has a distinct focus and visual identity, including unique icons.

Common social media platforms include:

1. Facebook: A widely used platform for connecting with friends and family, sharing updates, photos, and videos. Its icon is typically a blue square with a white ‘f’.
2. WhatsApp: A popular messaging application for sending text messages, voice messages, making calls, and sharing media. Its icon is a green speech bubble with a white phone receiver.
3. Instagram: A photo and video-sharing social networking service, known for its visual content and filters. Its icon is a stylised camera.
4. Twitter (now X): A microblogging platform for sharing short messages (posts), news, and engaging in real-time conversations. Its icon was a blue bird, now a stylised ‘X’.
5. YouTube: A video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, rate, share, add to playlists, and comment on videos. Its icon is a red rectangle with a white play button.
6. Snapchat: Known for ephemeral messages (snaps) that disappear after a short time, and augmented reality filters. Its icon is a white ghost on a yellow background.
7. TikTok: A short-form video hosting service where users can create and share short videos on any topic. Its icon is a black square with a white musical note.

Online Behaviours

Online behaviours refer to the actions, interactions, and communication styles individuals adopt when using the internet and social media platforms. These can be categorised as appropriate or inappropriate.

Appropriate Online Behaviours (Netiquette):

1. Respectful Communication: Using polite language and avoiding insults or derogatory remarks.
2. Privacy Awareness: Being mindful of what personal information is shared and respecting others’ privacy.
3. Fact-Checking: Verifying information before sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation.
4. Responsible Content Sharing: Sharing content that is positive, constructive, and appropriate for a general audience.
5. Reporting Misconduct: Reporting cyberbullying, harassment, or illegal activities to platform administrators.
6. Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding that online actions leave a permanent record.

Inappropriate Online Behaviours:

1. Cyberbullying: Using electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.
2. Spreading Misinformation/Fake News: Sharing false or misleading information, often intentionally.
3. Hate Speech: Using abusive or threatening language that expresses prejudice against a particular group, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
4. Plagiarism: Presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own without proper attribution.
5. Online Harassment: Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages to an individual.
6. Sharing Inappropriate Content: Posting sexually explicit, violent, or otherwise offensive material.
7. Phishing/Scams: Attempting to trick users into revealing personal information or sending money.

Impact of Social Media on Individuals, Communities, and Society

Social media has profound and varied impacts across different levels:

Impact on Individuals:

1. Positive:
   • Facilitates communication and connection with friends and family globally.
   • Provides access to information, news, and educational content.
   • Offers platforms for self-expression and creativity.
   • Can be a source of support networks and mental health communities.
   • Helps in career networking and job searches.
2. Negative:
   • Risk of cyberbullying, harassment, and online exploitation.
   • Can lead to addiction, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem due to comparison.
   • Exposure to misinformation and harmful content.
   • Privacy breaches and identity theft.
   • Distraction from academic and real-life responsibilities.

Impact on Communities:

1. Positive:
   • Strengthens community bonds through shared interest groups and local forums.
   • Facilitates organisation of community events and initiatives.
   • Enables rapid dissemination of important local information and emergency alerts.
   • Provides platforms for local businesses to connect with customers.
2. Negative:
   • Can exacerbate local conflicts and spread rumours within communities.
   • May reduce face-to-face interactions, leading to social isolation.
   • Digital divide can exclude those without access or skills.

Impact on Society:

1. Positive:
   • Promotes civic engagement and political participation (e.g., #EndSARS movement in Nigeria).
   • Facilitates social movements and advocacy for human rights and social justice.
   • Enables rapid response during crises and natural disasters.
   • Drives economic activity through e-commerce and digital marketing.
   • Fosters cultural exchange and understanding across borders.
2. Negative:
   • Spread of propaganda, extremism, and political polarisation.
   • Challenges traditional media and journalistic integrity.
   • Raises concerns about data privacy and surveillance by governments and corporations.
   • Contributes to the erosion of traditional values and cultural norms.
   • Can be used for criminal activities like fraud and human trafficking.

Managing Personal Privacy and Security on Social Media Platforms

Protecting personal information and ensuring security online is crucial. Key strategies include:

1. Strong Passwords: Create unique, complex passwords for each platform, combining letters, numbers, and symbols.
2. Privacy Settings: Regularly review and adjust privacy settings to control who can see your posts, profile information, and photos. Limit sharing to “friends” or “private” where possible.
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for an extra layer of security, requiring a code from your phone in addition to your password.
4. Be Selective with Friend Requests: Only accept requests from people you know and trust in real life.
5. Think Before You Post: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information such as home address, phone number, financial details, or travel plans.
6. Beware of Phishing: Do not click on suspicious links or respond to unsolicited messages asking for personal information.
7. Log Out: Always log out of your social media accounts, especially when using public or shared devices.
8. Regular Software Updates: Keep your device operating system and app software updated to benefit from the latest security patches.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Group Work, Role-Playing.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention some ways they communicate with friends and family who are far away. The teacher then introduces the topic: Social Media Networking.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning phone calls, text messages, and some social media apps. They listen attentively to the topic introduction.

Learning Point: Communication methods recall

Step 2: Meaning of Social Media Networking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of Social Media Networking, highlighting its role in connecting people and sharing content online. The teacher gives examples of how it differs from traditional communication.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and contribute their understanding of social media.

Learning Point: Social media definition

Step 3: Social Media Platforms and Icons

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays charts/infographics of various social media platforms and their icons (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok). The teacher guides students to identify each platform and briefly describes its primary function. The teacher can project live examples if internet access is available.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the platforms and their icons, discussing their familiarity with each. They match platforms to icons.

Learning Point: Common social platforms

Step 4: Online Behaviours

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Scenario Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains appropriate and inappropriate online behaviours (netiquette). The teacher presents short scenarios related to online interactions and asks students to discuss whether the behaviour is appropriate or not and why.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to explanations and actively participate in discussing the scenarios, identifying good and bad online practices.

Learning Point: Appropriate online conduct

Step 5: Impact of Social Media

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Debate/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides the class into groups and guides them to debate the positive and negative impacts of social media on individuals, communities, and society. The teacher ensures all aspects are covered, providing examples relevant to Nigeria where possible.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils engage in group discussions, presenting their arguments on the impacts of social media on different levels.

Learning Point: Social media effects

Step 6: Managing Privacy and Security

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration/Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of privacy and security on social media. Using a projector, the teacher demonstrates how to access and adjust basic privacy settings on a sample social media platform (e.g., setting posts to private, blocking users, strong passwords). The teacher encourages students to explore these settings on their own devices later.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, ask questions about privacy settings, and understand the steps to manage their online security.

Learning Point: Online privacy management

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 Networking?
2. Mention three popular social media platforms.
3. Give two examples of appropriate online behaviour.
4. State one positive and one negative impact of social media on individuals.
5. Why is it important to manage your privacy settings on social media?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Lesson understanding assessed

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 Social Media Networking, platforms, behaviours, impacts, and privacy management into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Key concepts recorded

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key takeaways of the lesson, re-emphasising the importance of responsible and safe social media use for personal well-being and civic engagement. The teacher encourages students to be good digital citizens.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the importance of responsible online behaviour.

Learning Point: Social media responsibility

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Identify five social media platforms and draw their icons.
2. Describe a scenario where inappropriate online behaviour could lead to negative consequences. How could it have been avoided?
3. Research and write a short paragraph on how social media has been used to promote a positive social cause in Nigeria.
4. Discuss with your parents/guardians about their views on social media and note down two of their concerns and two benefits they see.

Lesson Keywords

• Social Media Networking – Use of internet-based platforms to connect and share content.
• Platforms – Online services like Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube.
• Online Behaviours – Actions and interactions on the internet.
• Netiquette – Rules of polite behaviour on the internet.
• Cyberbullying – Harassing or intimidating someone online.
• Privacy Settings – Controls to manage who sees your online information.
• Digital Footprint – The trail of data left by online activities.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – An extra security step requiring two forms of verification.

Differentiation

For learners needing support: Provide simplified definitions and visual aids for social media platforms and icons. Pair them with more confident students for group activities and provide direct guidance during privacy setting demonstrations. Focus on identifying basic appropriate online behaviours.

For advanced learners: Encourage them to research and present on emerging social media trends, discuss complex ethical dilemmas related to online behaviour, or explore the legal implications of social media misuse in Nigeria. They can also lead discussions on the societal impacts.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: social media networking for students nigeria ss1