Simulation Topic

“Does social media do more harm or good?”

Simulation Guiding Questions

How does social media affect mental health, particularly regarding issues such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem?

How does social media contribute to the spread of misinformation and fake news? What are the potential consequences for public knowledge and trust?

How does social media impact political opinions and elections? Discuss both the positive impacts, such as increased political engagement, and negative, such as manipulation and polarization.

How does social media influence businesses and the economy? Consider both the benefits, such as marketing and brand growth, and the challenges, like market manipulation and job displacement.

What effect does social media have young people and their education? What are the benefits for learning and communication?

Perspectives by SDG

While these do not need be explained to students at the start of the simulation, these perspectives can be used to support any struggling students to engage in conversation!

Sustainable Development Goal	Perspective to Consider
#1: No Poverty	How can social media be used to raise awareness about poverty and mobilize resources to combat it?
#2: Zero Hunger	What challenges might arise from misinformation about food production?
#3: Good Health & Well-Being	How does social media influence public health, both positively (e.g., health awareness campaigns) and negatively (e.g., spread of health misinformation)?
#4: Quality Education	How can social media enhance educational opportunities and access to information, and what are the potential distractions or downsides for students?
#5: Gender Equality	In what ways does social media impact gender dynamics, including the representation of genders and experiences of gender-based harassment or support?
#6: Clean Water & Sanitation	How can social media be leveraged to promote clean water and sanitation initiatives?
#7: Affordable and Clean Energy	How might social media impact public knowledge and behaviors related to energy consumption and sustainability?
#8: Decent Work & Economic Growth	How does social media contribute to economic opportunities and entrepreneurship, and what are the potential risks related to job displacement and economic exploitation?
#9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure	How can social media drive innovation and support the development of infrastructure, particularly in technology and communication sectors?
#10: Reduced Inequalities	In what ways can social media be a tool for reducing inequalities, such as providing a platform for marginalized voices, and how can it sometimes exacerbate these inequalities?
#11: Sustainable Cities & Communities	How does social media shape people’s interactions with their urban environments and community engagement?
#12: Responsible Consumption & Production	How does social media affect the sustainability of consumer behavior and production practices?
#13: Climate Action	What role does social media play in shaping public understanding and behavior regarding climate change, including potential misinformation?
#14: Life Below Water	How does social media impact people’s awareness and behavior towards marine life and ocean conservation?
#15: Life on Land	How does social media impact people’s awareness and behavior towards terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity?
#16: Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions	How does social media influence peace and justice, including both the promotion of human rights and the potential for spreading hate speech and inciting violence?
#17: Partnership for the Goals	How can social media facilitate global partnerships and collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?