Definitions & Vocab
What is peer pressure?
The pressure you feel from people your own age to act or look a certain way.
You use social media to video call your cousin who lives in another country.
Positive use of social media.
The average teenager spends less than one hour a day on social media. True or false?
False. Many studies show teenagers spend several hours on social media daily.
When you constantly compare yourself to others on social media, you might start to feel...
A) More confident
B) Insecure or not good enough
C) Very relaxed
B) Insecure or not good enough.
The best way to reduce screen time is to completely delete all social media apps from your phone at once. True or false?
False. While a 'digital detox' can be helpful, for most people, small, consistent steps like setting daily time limits or turning off notifications are more sustainable than a sudden, complete deletion, which can be hard to maintain.
What is self-image?
How you see and feel about yourself.
You spend 4 hours every day scrolling through short videos, and you often feel tired or bored afterwards.
Negative effect.
Most of the images you see on social media are completely unedited and reflect real life perfectly. True or false?
False. Many images are filtered, edited, or carefully curated to show only the 'best' version of reality, not the full truth.
If you only post pictures where you look 'perfect' online, it's often because of...
A) True happiness
B) Pressure to hide your flaws
C) Real authenticity
B) Pressure to hide your flaws.
If you follow social media accounts that constantly post about fitness and diet, it will always motivate you to live a healthier life. True or false?
False. While some might find it motivating, for many, constant exposure to 'perfect' fitness/diet accounts can lead to comparison, unhealthy obsessions, or feelings of inadequacy, rather than healthy motivation.
What are stereotypes?
Ideas about how people or groups should look or behave, often not true for everyone.
You follow an account that constantly posts heavily filtered photos of people with 'perfect' bodies, making you feel bad about your own appearance.
Negative use / Negative effect.
Research has shown a link between heavy social media use and increased feelings of anxiety or depression in some young people. True or false?
True. Studies suggest a correlation, especially due to comparison, cyberbullying, and unrealistic expectations."
Which of these actions helps you protect your self-image when using social media?
A) Spending hours scrolling through 'perfect' feeds
B) Reminding yourself that many online images are filtered
C) Trying to get more 'likes' than your friends
B) Reminding yourself that many online images are filtered.
To truly improve your mental health, you should only focus on managing your social media use and ignore other activities. True or false?
False. While managing social media is important, it's equally crucial to balance it with real-life connections, hobbies, physical activity, and good sleep.
What are unrealistic expectations?
Images or ideas that are impossible or very difficult to achieve in real life.
You join an online group of people who share your hobby of drawing, and you learn new techniques and get support for your art.
Positive use.
Teens feel more pressured to look perfect because of social media than previous generations. True or false?
True. The constant visual exposure to 'ideal' images and the pressure for likes/validation contribute to this heightened pressure.
Relying on the number of 'likes' or comments to feel good about yourself is called...
A) Inner strength
B) External validation
C) Self-acceptance
B) External validation.
It's a healthy habit to reply to every message and comment on social media immediately to show you are connected. True or false?
False. This creates pressure and anxiety. A healthy habit involves setting boundaries, taking breaks, and responding when you feel ready, not immediately, to protect your mental space.
What is FOMO?
Fear Of Missing Out: A feeling of anxiety that others might be having fun or experiencing something interesting without you, often triggered by social media.
You constantly check your phone for likes and comments after posting a photo, and you feel anxious if you don't get enough.
Negative use / Negative effect.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that teenagers spend at least 4 hours a day on social media for mental well-being. True or false?
False. The WHO promotes limits on screen time and encourages physical activity and real-life interactions for well-being, not extended social media use.
The most important thing for a healthy self-image, regardless of what you see online, is...
A) Having many followers
B) Looking 'perfect' in every photo
C) Accepting and valuing yourself for who you are
C) Accepting and valuing yourself for who you are.
Limiting your screen time and engaging in more real-life activities can significantly improve your overall well-being and reduce feelings of FOMO. True or false?
True. Spending less time online frees up time for hobbies, exercise, and in-person connections, which are proven to boost mood and reduce anxiety, including the 'Fear Of Missing Out' by focusing on your own life.