Has Social Media Done More Harm Than Good?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What role does social media play in your life? In what ways do you think it makes life easier or more difficult?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the harms of social media outweighs its benefits. This issue is timely because some people blame social media for problems such as the spread of misinformation and the teen mental health crisis.)

• Research these two authors. Why might they be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue? (Nigel Barber is an evolutionary psychologist who studies how our environment and experiences affect our brains. Professor John Taden has done research on the impact of social media on democracy.)

• Analyze Barber’s view. (Barber argues that social media has done more harm than good. He states that young people who have grown up using social media are lonelier, more anxious, and less happy than previous generations. He also cites instances where social media algorithms have spread misinformation, increased hatred, and provoked violence.)

• Analyze Taden’s view. (Taden argues that social media has not done more harm than good. He notes that social media has amplified civic participation and allows people to spread information, engage with others, find community, and have their voices heard.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Has social media done more harm than good for society? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate. 

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.