OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on social media bans for teens offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for upper-intermediate B2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss the pros and cons of teen social media bans.
• Expand vocabulary related to digital risks, benefits, and opinions.
• Watch a video about Australia’s proposed teen social media ban.
• Practice reporting verbs to paraphrase real opinions and statements.
• Debate, role-play, and report on controversial news topics.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

This ESL lesson on social media bans for teens starts with a scenario: Greta, a government policymaker, must vote on a social media ban for teens under 16. Students consider both sides of the issue and list arguments for and against the ban.

Next, they sort different benefits and risks of social media into a table. Ideas include cyberbullying, addictive scrolling, online self-promotion, and access to educational content. Students can add their own examples and reflect on which experiences feel familiar.

In the next part, students complete opinion statements using adjectives such as immature, adept, harsh, and disempowered. After filling in the blanks, they explain which opinions they agree or disagree with and give reasons.

The section ends with questions about real countries that have introduced or discussed social media bans. Students share predictions about how teens might react if a similar rule appeared in their own country.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

The video explores Australia’s proposed social media ban for users under 16. Teen creators explain how social media supports their passions but also exposes them to bullying. Parents and experts discuss whether the ban protects young people or limits their freedom.

First, students match statements to details from the video. They identify how Shar and Eleanor use social media and what positive and negative experiences they mention.

Next, they summarize each speaker’s opinion about the ban. Short written responses explain who supports the policy and who opposes it.

In the final listening task, students choose the three reasons mentioned in the video that suggest the ban might not work. They select answers directly from what they hear.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

Students begin by sharing their own opinions about a social media ban for teens. They discuss whether the government or parents should control teen social media use and reflect on their personal habits.

The lesson then focuses on reporting verbs such as urge, deny, criticize, announce, admit, claim, argue, and warn. Learners rewrite direct quotes from the video using indirect speech.

After that, they report imaginary details from short news prompts using the same reporting verbs. This helps reinforce accuracy and flexibility.

The section concludes with three real-world news summaries about platform bans, addiction lawsuits, and deepfake technology. Students paraphrase each story using reporting verbs and respond to discussion questions.

FACTS, OPINIONS, & CONTROVERSY: REPORTING VERBS IN REAL NEWS

Students read detailed summaries about real controversies involving social media bans, addiction lawsuits, and AI-generated deepfakes. They summarize the stories using reporting verbs and analyze how language shapes public opinion.

In the next step, they engage in discussions around responsibility, regulation, addiction, and AI risks in guided conversation questions.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR TEENS ESL LESSON

• This ESL lesson on social media ban for teens provides high-interest, real-world content that adults and teens relate to.
• The lesson develops strong speaking and critical thinking skills through structured debate and discussion.
• It builds accuracy and fluency through clear practice of reporting verbs in indirect speech.
• It offers flexible materials that work for both in-person and online classes.