For many teens, social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are favorite hangouts. But because sharing on these sites is so public, they can be risky business. Since everyone from friends and family to coaches, colleges, and potential employers can access our tweets and posts, what guidelines should we consider when posting on social media? How can our Jewish values help us explore this issue?

Article, lesson plan and source sheet included. Grades 7-10, 50 minutes

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How can Jewish tradition inform our safe and appropriate use of social media?

LESSON AT A GLANCE: The article tells the story of Reid Sagehorn, a teen whose careless two-word tweet cost him dearly, and explores whether what he wrote on social media is a constitutional right or a violation of the Jewish value of privacy. In this lesson, students think about and discuss their own social media use, study Jewish texts, and compose their own social media guidelines based on Jewish values.

OBJECTIVES

• Students will understand the risks associated with using social media.

• Students will study Jewish texts related to privacy and the power of speech.

• Students will create social media safe use guideline posters.