HASS · Year 10

Active learning ideas

Social Media and Self-Perception

Active learning turns abstract ideas about social media’s effects into concrete experiences for students. When they simulate algorithm behavior or critique real posts, they move beyond passive observation to identify distortions in their own feeds and develop lasting media literacy skills.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9H10K11

• 30–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Jigsaw
• 50 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Algorithm Effects

Assign small groups to research one algorithm impact, such as echo chambers or body-image ads. Each expert teaches their home group key findings and examples. Groups then brainstorm mitigation strategies and share with the class.

Analyze how social media algorithms shape individual content consumption.

Facilitation Tip

In Jigsaw Expert Groups, assign each group a distinct platform algorithm (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) to analyze rather than letting them all study the same one.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a social media platform designer. How would you adjust your algorithm to promote healthier self-perception rather than comparison?' Facilitate a small group discussion, asking students to share one specific design change and its intended effect.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 02

• Gallery Walk
• 40 min · Pairs

Gallery Walk: Influencer Critiques

Post influencer images and quotes around the room with sticky notes. Students walk, annotate psychological effects on self-perception, and vote on most influential examples. Debrief as a class to synthesize patterns.

Explain the psychological impacts of 'influencer culture' on self-esteem.

Facilitation Tip

During the Gallery Walk, place anchor charts at each station with prompts like ‘What editing choices do you notice?’ to guide student annotations.

What to look for

Provide students with a short, anonymized social media post (e.g., a filtered selfie with a motivational caption). Ask them to write down two potential psychological impacts this post might have on a viewer and one question they would ask the poster to understand the reality behind the image.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Four Corners
• 45 min · Whole Class

Fishbowl Debate: Idealized Selves

Inner circle debates benefits versus harms of presenting perfect online selves; outer circle notes arguments and prepares questions. Switch roles midway, then whole class reflects on personal takeaways.

Critique the pressures to present an idealized self on social media platforms.

Facilitation Tip

In the Fishbowl Debate, give the outer circle a structured note-taking sheet with columns for claims, evidence, and emotional language to track arguments.

What to look for

On an index card, ask students to list one way social media algorithms influence their own content consumption and one strategy they can use to critically evaluate influencer content.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Awareness
• Social Awareness

Activity 04

• Think-Pair-Share
• 30 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Mental Health Links

Students individually list social media habits affecting their mood. Pairs discuss evidence from studies, then share anonymized insights with the class to identify common themes.

Analyze how social media algorithms shape individual content consumption.

Facilitation Tip

For Think-Pair-Share, have students record their initial thoughts in writing before pairing to ensure equitable participation.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a social media platform designer. How would you adjust your algorithm to promote healthier self-perception rather than comparison?' Facilitate a small group discussion, asking students to share one specific design change and its intended effect.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach this topic through iterative critique and reflection. Avoid lectures about dangers; instead, let students experience the pressures firsthand through simulations. Research shows that when students actively identify algorithmic bias or curation tricks, their skepticism grows faster than through passive instruction. Prioritize dialogue over monologue, using their own feed examples to ground abstract concepts in lived experience.

Students will explain how algorithms shape content, critique influencer techniques, debate idealized selves, and connect digital behaviors to mental health impacts. Observable success includes annotated critiques, reasoned arguments, and reflective strategies to navigate social media responsibly.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Gallery Walk: Influencer Critiques, students may assume curated posts show real life. Watch for this assumption as they annotate images.

  During Gallery Walk: Influencer Critiques, direct students to circle at least two editing techniques (e.g., filters, lighting adjustments, body angles) and label them directly on the image to make curation visible.

• During Jigsaw Expert Groups: Algorithm Effects, students may believe algorithms are neutral. Watch for this belief during their group presentations.

  During Jigsaw Expert Groups: Algorithm Effects, have each group present one real-world example of how their platform’s algorithm narrows content over time, such as shifting from travel videos to extreme diet tips.

• During Fishbowl Debate: Idealized Selves, students may claim influencer culture always boosts confidence. Listen for this oversimplification during the debate.

  During Fishbowl Debate: Idealized Selves, pause the debate after each argument to ask the speaker to cite a specific psychological study or personal example to support their claim.

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Methods used in this brief

• Jigsaw
• Gallery Walk
• Four Corners
• Think-Pair-Share