2.1 How it works
Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are huge in how young people connect and share. They can be lots of fun and a powerful tool for good, but understanding how they truly work and managing your digital wellbeing is key to a healthy online life.
Realising that "My attention is the product being sold" is a crucial step towards more conscious, controlled, and healthier social media use.
Free service, hidden price
Platforms are "free," but they collect massive amounts of your data - everything you click, watch, share, and even what you do outside their apps.Building your digital twin
This data feeds powerful algorithms that create a detailed profile of you: your habits, interests, and even your potential vulnerabilities. They aim to know you incredibly well, so they can keep you scrolling, swiping or buying.Hooking your attention
These algorithms are designed to keep you scrolling as long as possible. They personalise your feed with content you're most likely to engage with, using psychological triggers (like endless scroll and notifications) to make platforms addictive.Selling your eyes
Big Tech doesn't sell your raw data. Instead, they sell advertisers access to your attention, precisely targeting you based on your detailed profile. Advertisers pay mega money to show their ads to the people most likely to buy their products.
⟶ for more on algorithms, see section 4.4.
Managing your digital wellbeing
Be Mindful of Your Data: Think critically about what you share and the digital footprint you create.
Question Your Feed: Recognise that your feed isn't neutral; it's a highly personalised stream designed to maximise your engagement, sometimes by showing polarising or emotionally charged content.
Take Control of Your Time: Knowing platforms are designed to be addictive helps you set boundaries and resist endless scrolling.
Protect Your Privacy: Regularly review and adjust your privacy settings to limit data collection.
Seek Diverse Information: Actively look for news and perspectives outside your social media bubble to avoid echo chambers which amplify your own views (see section 4.5).
2.2 It’s not reality
When you look through social media, it might seem like everyone else is living a perfect life. Amazing holidays, flawless selfies, people having fun every day. But the truth is that people usually post only the best parts of their lives. What you don’t see are the boring, messy, or tough moments. Just like filters can change a photo, social media can give a filtered version of reality.
Why social media isn’t always reality
People share their best moments
Most people post the happy, exciting, or perfect parts of their lives.
They usually don’t show the boring, hard, or sad times.
Photos and videos can be edited
Filters, apps, and editing tools can change how people and places look.
Sometimes pictures are staged or taken many times to look perfect.
Social media can make you compare too much
Seeing others’ highlights might make you feel like your life isn’t as good, but remember, everyone has ups and downs.
What you see online is not the full story.
People can act different online
Some people might act cooler, happier, or more confident than they really are.
Online profiles can be like a “highlight reel,” not the real, everyday life.
Mariam’s Top Tips for how to keep it real when using socials
Remember It’s Just Part of Life
Everyone has good days and bad days, even if they don’t show it online.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
You are unique, and your life is your own story, not a copy of someone else’s.
Be Kind to Yourself
Focus on what makes you happy, not on trying to look perfect online.
Talk About It
If social media makes you feel bad, talk to a friend, family member, or teacher.
2.3 Doomscrolling
You know how sometimes you pick up your phone to just quickly check something, and before you know it, an hour has passed, and you feel… worse? If that "worse" feeling is all about consuming sad, scary, or negative news, then you've probably been doomscrolling. Equally, endless scrolling of any content for a long time can often leave you feeling bad or unfulfilled. Again, more doomscrolling.
Why we do it
Our Brains Look for Danger:
Our brains are wired to pay attention to threats, so negative news grabs us.
The "Information Trap":
We feel like we need to know everything, even if it just increases our worry.
Algorithms Keep Feeding It:
Social media apps show you more of what gets your attention, and upsetting content often does.
What is a dopamine loop?
A cycle where the release of dopamine (released when you are scrolling) reinforces a behaviour leading to its repetition i.e. the more you scroll, the more you want to scroll, hence doomscrolling!
How it can affect you
It can make you feel anxious, stressed, or sad.
It can take away your time and focus from things you enjoy.
It might make you feel like the world is worse than it really is.
It can cause focus and attention problems.
How to stop doomscrolling
Notice when it’s happening
- Ask yourself: Am I feeling stressed or sad because of what I’m seeing?
- If yes, it might be time to stop.
Set time limits
- Decide how much time you want to spend on social media each day.
- Use phone settings or apps to remind you to take breaks.
Choose positive content
- Follow pages or people who share happy, funny, or inspiring stuff.
- Look for things that make you feel good or relaxed.
Take breaks
- Put your phone down and do something you enjoy, like going outside, drawing, or talking with friends.
- Taking breaks helps your brain feel better.
Talk about how you feel
- If news or posts make you worried, talk to someone you trust such as a friend, family member, or teacher.
2.4 Comparison culture
Comparison culture is when we constantly look at other people's lives (especially on social media) and measure ourselves against them. It's about comparing your own life, looks, achievements, and popularity to what you see others doing or having.
It's not a totally new thing – humans have always compared themselves to others. But social media has amplified the volume, making it way more intense and constant.
Why social media fuels it
The "Highlight Reel"
People only show their best moments online: holidays, new stuff, perfect selfies. You see their "highlights," not their everyday "behind-the-scenes" struggles or boring bits. This makes you feel like your normal life isn't good enough.
Filters & Editing
Photos are often heavily edited to look "perfect." You're comparing yourself to unrealistic images, which messes with your self-esteem.
The Popularity Illusion
Likes and followers can make people seem super important. It makes you think your worth depends on these numbers, which isn't true.
Constant Exposure
You're seeing thousands of curated "perfect" lives every day, creating endless reasons to feel inadequate.
How it can affect you
Low self-esteem, anxiety, and stress.
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
Unhappiness, believing your life isn't good enough.
Unrealistic expectations for your own life.
Beat the comparison trap
It's NOT Reality: Remember social media is just the "best bits," not real life. Everyone has struggles.
Focus on YOU: Your life, your achievements, your looks are unique and valuable.
Clean Up Your Feed: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad. Follow accounts that inspire you.
Take Breaks: Step away from your phone! Experience real life and real connections.
Be Kind to Yourself: Talk to yourself like you'd talk to a best friend.
2.5 Legal & ethical understanding
Social media is super powerful. You can share anything, chat with anyone, and find endless content. But with great power comes great responsibility! Using it means you need to understand both the legal rules (what you must do or must not do by law) and the ethical rules (what's right, fair, and kind, even if it's not a strict law).
Understanding these legal and ethical rules isn't just about avoiding trouble; it's about being a responsible, respectful, and safe digital citizen.
The ETHICAL stuff (being a good person online)
This is about doing the right thing, even if there's no law against it:
Be Kind: Treat others online like you'd want to be treated. Your words can hurt.
Think Before You Share: Could your post be misunderstood? Could it hurt someone? Is it even true? Would you say this in real life?
Be Real: Don't pretend to be someone you're not or create fake accounts.
Stand Up/Report: If you see cyberbullying or hate speech, report it to the platform and support the person being targeted.
Balance: Don't let social media take over your life. Make time for real-life activities and rest.
The LEGAL stuff (laws in the UK)
What you do online can lead to real-life trouble:
Cyberbullying/harassment is illegal: sending mean, offensive, or threatening messages can lead to fines, a criminal record, or worse. If you wouldn't say it face-to-face, don't type it!
Defamation (spreading lies): spreading false rumours that harm someone's reputation can be illegal. Don't post untrue stories about people.
Copyright (respecting creations): don't just copy, share, or use someone else's photos, videos, or music without permission. They own it! Always give credit.
Privacy laws: you can't share someone else's private info (like their address or embarrassing photos) without their permission. Respect others' privacy.
Age limits: apps have age rules (e.g., 13+). Lying about your age can get your account deleted and expose you to bad content.
2.6 Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is when someone uses phones, computers, or the internet to hurt, upset, or embarrass others on purpose. It can happen anywhere online, such as in chats, games, social media, texts, or emails. No one deserves to be bullied, in real life, nor online. If it happens, it’s not your fault, and help is always there.
What to do if you see cyberbullying
Don’t join in. Being kind online helps stop bullying.
Tell the person to stop if you feel safe doing so. Sometimes bullies back off when they know you don’t like it.
Save the evidence. Take screenshots or save messages. They can help adults understand what’s happening.
Tell a trusted adult. A parent, teacher, or guardian. You’re not snitching, you’re just staying safe!
Report the bullying. Most websites, games, and apps have ways to report bad behaviour.
Examples of cyberbullying
Sending mean or threatening messages
Spreading rumours or lies about someone
Sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission
Excluding someone from a group online
Pretending to be someone else to trick or embarrass others
How to protect yourself
Keep your profiles private. Only accept friend or follow requests from people you know.
Think before you post. Don’t share anything that could be used to hurt you or someone else.
Block and report anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable or upset.
Be a good friend online. Support people who might be bullied and stand up for kindness.
2.7 Harmful content, social trends,reporting
Social media is an amazing place for connecting, learning, and having fun, but just like in the real world, there are things to be aware of to keep yourself safe and happy online. Let's talk about harmful content, social trends, and how important it is to report issues.
Harmful Content
What to watch out for
This is anything online that can hurt you or others.
Examples: Posts promoting self-harm or eating disorders, hate speech, graphic violence, misinformation, inappropriate sexual content, and cyberbullying.
Why it's dangerous: It harms your mental health, makes bad things seem normal, can influence risky behaviour, and you might see it by accident.
Social Trends
Is It Fun vs. Is It Risky
Most trends are harmless, but some can be dangerous.
Look out for: Challenges that cause injury, trends promoting unhealthy body images, or those encouraging unkind behaviour.
Ask yourself: Is it safe? Is it healthy? Is it kind? Am I being pressured? It's always okay to say no.
Reporting
Here’s How You Can Help
If you see something harmful, report it immediately.
Why report? It gets bad content removed, protects others, helps the platform, and ensures your right to feel safe online.
How to report: Find the "report" button on the post or profile, select the reason, and block the user if needed.
Who to tell: Always tell a trusted adult. You can also report directly to the platform, Childline, or for immediate danger contact the police.
2. Social Media
Overview
Social media is like a giant digital playground where you can hang out with friends, share cool things, and see what everyone else is doing. It’s all on the internet, and it happens through apps on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Instead of meeting face-to-face, people connect through photos, videos, messages, and comments. Social media apps can be tons of fun, but they also come with risks if you’re not careful.
By being smart about what you post, who you talk to, and how much you share, you can have a great time while staying safe online. Always protect your privacy and always tell your parents or a trusted adult if you ever feel unsure or uncomfortable with anything on social media.