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 45
If you want more lessons like this you can find out more about VotesforSchools here or head to slide 20.

2. Pair discussion (2 mins)1
How safe is social media?
Talking to strangers
Pair discussion (2 mins)
Look at the images to help you discuss some potential dangers of social media. Do you feel that young people know how to protect themselves from these things?
Insta vs Reality
Hacking
Cyberbullying
Images:
Online Theft
Damaged sleep patterns
Fake News
©VotesForSchools2019

3. Do social media companies listen enough to young people?
Images:
1 –
References: 1-
©VotesForSchools2019

4. Learning objectives for today
To consider how online platforms could be made safer.
To design a social media platform that meets the needs of young people.
Keywords
Social media: Websites or apps that allow people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or mobile phone.
Consult: To seek the views of someone before making a decision.
References: 1-
©VotesForSchools2019

5. Issues to consider Starter: How safe is social media?
Who should keep you safe online?
Why are we talking about this?
Are young people the experts?
Your perfect platform
Career Launchpad
Vote
©VotesForSchools2019

6. 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 21.
Any thoughts ed to
will be shared with the Government and the NSPCC.
©VotesForSchools2019

7. Social media companies?2
Who should keep you safe online?
Consider
Parents?
The Government?
Social media companies?
You?
……………...…?
Pair task (1-2 mins)
Read the headlines and identify who they suggest is responsible for protecting young people online. Who do you think is responsible?
Images:
1- iStock
©VotesForSchools2019

8. Why are we talking about this?3
Why are we talking about this?
The Government say social media companies are failing young people by not making their platforms safe1. They are talking about introducing strict laws that social media companies must follow.
The Government asked children, parents and experts their opinions on how to improve online safety.
The Government came up with laws that they think will keep children safe online.
If these laws go ahead, social media companies will have a legal duty to make these changes.
If the companies fail to make these changes, they could be banned so UK users can no longer use them.
Reflect task (1-2 mins)
Is this a good way to improve the safety of social media platforms? Is there any way you’d change this process?
Images: 1-
References: 1-
©VotesForSchools2019

9. Why are we talking about this?3
Why are we talking about this?
16 points have been put forward to improve online safety for children1. These will affect social media, online games, apps and websites too. 1
Group discussion
(2-3 minutes)
Share your thoughts on each change. Do you think these are fair? Do you think they’re enough?
‘Likes’ or ‘streak’ buttons on social media platforms could be banned2. 2
Location tracking might be turned off so that apps can’t collect data on where you go.
Images: 1-
2- Pixabay
References: 1- 2- 3
Settings will be set to ‘high privacy’ by default and have stronger age-verification systems. 4
Social media will no longer be allowed to ‘self-regulate’ (make their own rules). If they don’t follow these rules, they’ll be banned from the UK.
©VotesForSchools2019

10. Pair discussion (3-5 mins)4
Are young people the experts?
Adults are constantly having conversations about how to keep you safe on social media, but should young people be leading the conversation instead?
Pair discussion (3-5 mins)
You have one minute to discuss each question below with your partner. After your discussion, your teacher will ask you to show your thoughts using your thumbs. Be ready to justify your answers.
1 min
Images: 1- 1 2
Do young people understand social media better than adults?
Do young people understand the dangers of social media better than adults?
Yes
Sort of No
©VotesForSchools2019

11. Individual reflection (2-3 mins)4
Are young people the experts?
Individual reflection (2-3 mins)
1. Could you make this change happen?
2. Would you be willing to contact a social media company?
3. Do you think they’d listen if you did? Be ready to feed back your answers.
Imagine you came up with a brilliant idea to reduce bullying on Snapchat, or prevent fake news being spread on Instagram.
“I would contact them directly.”
“I would write to my MP as they’re more likely to be listened to.”
“I would wait for them to provide an easy way to share my idea.”
“I wouldn’t bother as they won’t listen anyway.”
©VotesForSchools2019

12. To seek the views of someone before making a decision.4
Are young people the experts?
Class task (4-6 mins)
How necessary is it for social media companies to consult young people over online safety? Look at the ideas below and decide which number most closely aligns with your view.
Consult:
To seek the views of someone before making a decision.
They don’t need to. They already have experts working to make these decisions.
They could give an option, like create an online ‘suggestion box’ where we could add ideas.
They should contact us more directly, possibly by visiting schools or conducting surveys.
They need to regularly talk to us, maybe by making Youth Advisory Boards who have a say on changes. 1 2 3 4
©VotesForSchools2019

13. Table discussion (3 mins)5
Your perfect platform
YouTube
Table discussion (3 mins)
Think of one online platform that you use often and discuss the questions in the grey boxes.
WhatsApp
What safety features do they have?
Snapchat
Why do you think they have these safety features?
Have you ever used them? Why/why not?
Do you think these features are effective enough?
Instagram
Fortnite
©VotesForSchools2019

14. Reflect and share (3 mins)5
Your perfect platform
Filters?
Like/dislike button?
Reflect and share (3 mins)
If you were tasked to design your own social media platform, what would you include and what would you leave out?
Report button?
Stories? …?
Anonymous posts?
Images: 1-
Comments?
Photos?
Videos?
Followers?
Challenge:
Are any of these features inherently unsafe for young people?
©VotesForSchools2019

15. Individual Task (10-15 minutes)
Your perfect platform
Example
Individual Task (10-15 minutes)
On a blank piece of paper, design the homepage to your perfect social media or online platform. Label the features you’ve included.
Music
Games
Help
Think about:
Name & logo
Layout
Pics & videos
Name & logo
Chat
Features
Username & Profile pic.
Report/ block
Safety features …?
Comments
©VotesForSchools2019

16. 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.
References: 1-
©VotesForSchools2019

17. 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.
0:00-
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-
Images: 1-
References: 1-
©VotesForSchools2019

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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