Social media has changed the way people connect and form groups. Students may be part of many different online communities, from sports and social clubs, to gaming communities and interest groups. These connections have a positive impact on students’ wellbeing, as they contribute to a greater sense of belonging.

Year level

7-10

Duration

5 minutes

Type

In class activity

Online learning

SEL Competencies

Self-awareness

Self-management

Relationship skills

Learning intention

Students will evaluate the different ways they engage within online communities and the benefits these connections can have for their overall wellbeing.

Key outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • understand the benefits of being part of online communities

  • identify the online communities they belong to.

Materials needed

  • Pen and paper

  • Coloured pencils/markers

Mapped to

Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education

  • Analyse and reflect on the influence of values and beliefs on the development of identities (AC9HP8P01)

  • Analyse the impact of changes and transitions, and devise strategies to support themselves and others through these changes (AC9HP8P02)

  • Analyse factors that shape identities and evaluate how individuals influence the identities of others (AC9HP10P01)

  • Plan, rehearse and evaluate strategies for managing situations where their own or others’ health, safety or wellbeing may be at risk (AC9HP10P08)

Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities

  • Personal and Social Capability:

    • Self-awareness

    • Self-management

  • Ethical Understanding:

  • Understanding ethical concepts and perspectives

  • Digital Literacy:

  • Practising digital safety and wellbeing

  • Critical and Creative Thinking:

  • Inquiring

  • Analysing

NSW PDHPE Syllabus

  • Examines and evaluates strategies to manage current and future challenges (PD4-1)

  • Investigates effective strategies to promote inclusivity, equality and respectful relationships (PD4-3)

  • Assesses their own and others’ capacity to reflect on and respond positively to challenges (PD5-1)

  • Analyses factors and strategies that enhance inclusivity, equality and respectful relationships (PD5-3)

Victorian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education

  • Investigate the impact of transition and change on identities (VCHPEP123)

  • Investigate the benefits of relationships and examine their impact on their own and others’ health and wellbeing (VCHPEP127)

  • Evaluate factors that shape identities, and analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (VCHPEP142)

  • Examine the impact of changes and transitions on relationships (VCHPEP143)

Show details

Activity 1

Instructions

5 minutes

  1. Explain to students that friendships and online social groups and communities are like a spider’s web, interconnected with different areas that are stronger.

  2. Ask students to brainstorm the different groups and communities they are part of through social media (e.g. sports groups, influencers, lost pets, buy and sell groups, local sports clubs, local interest groups, family chats).

  3. Ask students to brainstorm on a piece of paper the online platforms they use for these groups.

  4. Ask students to draw lines to connect the web. Students draw lines between the groups and the social media platforms they use to connect.

Additional resources

No time displayed

For further information regarding this topic, access the following articles from the eSafety Commissioner:

Print

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              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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