1. Hi there! VotesforSchools is working alongside the Government this week to find out your views on how social media could be made safer.
Secondary 15
If you want more lessons like this you can find out more about VotesforSchools here or head to slide 12.

2. Do social media companies listen enough to young people?
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©VotesForSchools2019

3. will be shared with the Government and the NSPCC.
A special message about this week’s VoteTopic:
0:00-1:57
Today you have the opportunity to have a say on laws which will affect you! Please ask your teacher to us your views. Now for some very special messages…
“The Government is about to decide on new laws that will make social networks protect young people on their platforms. Your views are hugely important to ensure they get this right - and will play an important part in deciding how sites like Snapchat or Instagram keep you safe.”
Andy Burrows, Associate Head of Child Safety Online, NSPCC
Video task (2 mins)
Click the image to watch a special video from Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries.
Alternative video link: 1-
Images:
1- iStock 2- 3-
If you have more time, there are three questions you are invited to respond to on slide 13.
Any thoughts ed to
will be shared with the Government and the NSPCC.
©VotesForSchools2019

4. Reflect & share (2-3 mins)1
What is your experience of social media?
Reflect & share (2-3 mins)
Here are some things adults worry about when young people use social media. Think about your experience of social media. How positive or negative has it been? Use the scale below to share your thoughts.
Insta vs Reality
Cyberbullying
Talking to strangers
Damaged sleep
Images:
iStock
Fake News
Inappropriate videos 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Very negative
Very positive
©VotesForSchools2019

5. Why are we talking about this?2
Why are we talking about this? 1
The Government say social media companies are failing young people by not making their platforms safe1.
‘Likes’ or ‘streak’ buttons could be banned2. 2
They are talking about introducing strict laws that social media companies must follow to help protect young people2.
Age-verification systems will
become tougher.
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Discuss (2-3 minutes)
Share your thoughts on these two proposed changes. Would they help keep young people safer? 3
If social media companies don’t
follow these rules, they could be banned from the UK.
©VotesForSchools2019

6. 3 Do you feel listened to? Group task (3-4 mins)
Discuss the questions below and come up with one idea to improve the safety on these popular platforms.
Share your ideas.
Discuss:
1: Have you ever used one of these tools?
2: If you haven’t, why not?
3: If you have, did you feel that it helped resolve your issue?
4: Could the social media company have done anything better?
Here are some tools already in place to keep you safe on social media.
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©VotesForSchools2019

7. Individual Task (6-8 minutes)4
Designing a safer platform
Example
Individual Task (6-8 minutes)
On a blank piece of paper, sketch out your ideas for a safer social media. Label the features you’ve included.
Music
Games
Help
Think about:
Name & logo
Layout
Pics & videos
Name & logo
Chat
Images: 1-
Fun features
Username & Profile pic.
Report/ block
Safety features …?
Comments
©VotesForSchools2019

8. Do social media companies listen enough to young people?
YES NO
When I have come across nasty or negative things online, the app or website has dealt with it well.
Social media companies do make changes to their platforms to try to improve safety. Some even have youth advisory boards to suggest ideas1.
Young people are free to contact social media companies if they have suggestions.
It is the Government’s job to listen to young people and put pressure on social media companies if necessary. The social media companies don’t have a responsibility to listen to us.
When I have come across nasty or negative things online, the app or website has not dealt with it how I would like them to.
Young people are the main users of social media, so they should have more of a say in how to improve it and make it safer.
The fact that the Government had to step in to regulate social media shows that social media companies are not listening.
Young people are the experts when it comes to social media. We are living it every day so our voices are crucial for ensuring it’s safe and fun.
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©VotesForSchools2019

9. Career Launchpad! Learn more: The debate over free speech 0:00- 2:55
Some see the Government’s plans for stricter rules on social media as a necessary first step towards making sure young people are safe online, but critics say regulation threatens freedom of speech. Even once laws are made, tricky decisions lie ahead. For example, how will they rule on material that is not illegal but may still be considered harmful? Watch the video to the right to understand more about the debate.
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2:55
0:00-
4:03
Career spotlight:
This is Adam. He’s a film journalist and Head of Editorial at a digital production agency.
Click the photo of Adam to watch a video made especially for you about a career in media and journalism!
Alternative video link: 1- 2-
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©VotesForSchools2019

10. Time to vote! (Instructions on how to vote are on the next slide)
©VotesForSchools2019

11. info@votesforschools.com to have them share with the Government.
How to vote and comment
comments to:
to have them share with the Government.
Step 1
Teachers go to
Step 2
Click on Teacher Login (top right corner)
Step 3
Login using these details
Username: Password: pass1234
Step 4
Click on Manually Enter Results
Step 5
Enter your year group and total number of girls,
boys and n/a voting yes and no. Click submit.
Step 6
A red warning box will appear asking if you are sure you want to submit your vote. Click submit results.
Step 4
Step 5
Step 1
Step 2
Step 6
Step 3
©VotesForSchools2019

12. What is VotesforSchools
What is VotesforSchools? VotesforSchools helps teachers hold weekly debates on issues happening in the news! Each week, we make lessons on everything from Donald Trump to climate change to mobile phones in schools. After the lesson, you can vote online! We take your votes to the Government, newspapers and other decision- makers. You can find out more at (Teachers:
©VotesForSchools2019

13. passed on to the Government and the NSPCC.
Please consider responding to the following:
The Government is particular interested in your responses to the following questions:
Do you think social media companies listen to young people’s experiences of cyberbullying and are they doing anything about it?
Have you ever reported something unpleasant or negative that you have seen on social media, and was anything done about it?
How do social media companies help you learn how to stay safe on their platforms and could they do more?
your thoughts to:
and they will be
passed on to the Government and the NSPCC.
©VotesForSchools2019