How do you help young people navigate social media safely — and keep them interested? We worked with Childnet to create an interactive and engaging tool that is more 'game' than 'guide'.
We designed ReelLife, a ‘fake’ platform that mirrors the familiar feel of social media — including appropriately suited logo! ReelLife gets young people (aged 9-14) thinking about the posts they may share, the messages they receive and the content they encounter on social media. These platforms have benefits, but it’s important to know the risks lurking behind those likes and DMs.
Built for classrooms, we created a ‘spot the risk’ game showing ReelLife screens filled with posts, messages and alerts. Players scan the page for potential risks… a suspicious message, a dodgy post or an untrustworthy ad. Clicking on the risk gives instant feedback if their pick was right or wrong.
With each level, the risks get trickier to spot, from fake news to oversharing of personal info. At the end of each round, players are given a roundup on what they’ve learned, based on their scores. A great classroom discussion starter. We also made printable worksheets for classrooms without screen access.
ReelLife is a popular addition to the growing hub of Childnet of resources. Teachers and parents are able to deliver a fun yet important lesson in staying safe online.
