Sharing Pictures and Stories: What Is Social Media?
Have you ever drawn a picture and wanted to show it to your grandma who lives far away? Grown-ups use apps and websites to do something like that every day — they share photos, videos, and short messages with family and friends, even ones who live in a different city or country. That's called social media, and this lesson helps you understand what it is and how to think about it safely.
What You'll Learn
- What social media means, in simple words - Some things people share on social media - Why grown-ups have rules about it - One safe way kids can share things with family
Sharing With People Far Away
Long ago, if you wanted to tell someone news, you had to visit them, call them on the phone, or mail them a letter that could take days to arrive. Social media is a way for people to share photos, short videos, and messages on a phone, tablet, or computer, and their family or friends can see it almost right away, even from very far away. A grown-up might share a photo of a birthday cake, and a grandparent across the country can see it the same day and write back, 'Happy birthday!' That is social media in action — sharing, and getting to hear back from people who care about you.
Grown-Ups Keep It Safe
Social media is meant for grown-ups and older kids, with grown-up rules. That's because not everyone online is someone you know, and some things people share aren't true or aren't kind. A trusted grown-up — like a parent, teacher, or guardian — decides what is okay to share and who is allowed to see it, the same way they decide when you're allowed to cross the street or ride a bike without training wheels.
Never share your name, address, school, or photos online by yourself. Always ask a trusted grown-up first, and let them help you decide what's safe to share, just like you'd ask before giving your address to a stranger.
A Safe Way Kids Can Share
Some families use a private photo album or a video call, with a grown-up's help, so kids can show off a drawing or say hi to a faraway grandparent. This is different from a public social media page, because only the people the family chooses can see it — it's like sharing a photo album with just your family, instead of posting it somewhere anyone in the world could look.
Match each idea to the correct word or example.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
Why should a kid always ask a trusted grown-up before sharing something online?
Which of these is an example of social media?
Draw-and-Share Plan
Draw a picture of something you'd like to show a family member who lives far away (a pet, a trip, a favorite toy). Then, with a trusted grown-up, talk about the safest way to share it with that person — like a video call or a private family album. Write one sentence about why asking a grown-up first is a good idea.
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