Classroom Activities and New Classroom Apps for Enhancing Children's Understanding of Social Media Mechanisms

TL;DR

This study developed classroom activities and apps to teach children about social media mechanisms, resulting in improved understanding and data agency among 5th and 8th graders after a four-hour intervention.

Contribution

The paper introduces new classroom apps and activities specifically designed to enhance young learners' understanding of social media data practices and mechanisms.

Findings

Significant improvement in learners' data agency scores.

Enhanced understanding of social media mechanisms post-intervention.

Effective use of classroom apps to teach complex digital concepts.

Abstract

Young people are increasingly exposed to adverse effects of data-driven profiling, recommending, and manipulation on social media platforms, most of them without adequate understanding of the mechanisms that drive these platforms. In the context of computing education, educating learners about mechanisms and data practices of social media may improve young learners' data agency, digital literacy, and understanding how their digital services work. A four-hour technology -- supported intervention was designed and implemented in 12 schools involving 209 5th and 8th grade learners. Two new classroom apps were developed to support the classroom activities. Using Likert-scale questions borrowed from a data agency questionnaire and open-ended questions that mapped learners' data-driven reasoning on social media phenomena, this article shows significant improvement between pre- and post-tests in learners' data agency and data-driven explanations of social media mechanisms. Results present an example of improving young learners' understanding of social media mechanisms.