Lesson
Social Media & Dark Patterns
Summary
That "honest" unboxing video is usually a paid ad your algorithm chose for you. This lesson exposes how social media and hidden dark patterns nudge middle schoolers into spending money they didn't plan to spend.
Bellringer: The Influencer's Keyboard
- Read the unboxing prompt aloud; give students 1–2 minutes to record a gut answer.
- Advance to reveal that it's usually a paid ad chosen by the algorithm.
Instruction
- Walk one concept per slide: dark patterns, data tracking, native advertising, FOMO, micro-targeting, confirmshaming.
- Use the table to review all concepts at once.
Activity: Consumer Smarts Pretest & Game
- Students take the Consumer Smarts pretest, then launch the game.
- Give 20–25 minutes of uninterrupted play.
Discussion: Feed vs. Need
- Use the 5-minute framework: show of hands on eerily targeted ads, then discuss the algorithm, frictionless buying, and social comparison.
- Close with the deleted-apps savings reflection.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- What is a dark pattern and what is its main goal when you're using an app?
- You're buying a $15 tee and see a clock saying the deal expires in 3 minutes — honest alert or deceptive tactic?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6 min | Bellringer: The Influencer's Keyboard |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 18 min | Activity: Consumer Smarts Pretest & Game |
|
| 6 min | Discussion: Feed vs. Need |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Consumer Smarts Pretest
Assess how much students already know about being an informed consumer.
Consumer Smarts
Students play as a high school student making smart spending decisions to save money for a big purchase.
Class Presentation
Includes a 19-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 2: Consumer Choices
Marketing Influences
Marketing influences impact spending whether you realize it or not. Students learn to identify marketing influences, such as urgency, social proof, scarcity, freebies, and more.
Social Media & Dark Patterns
That "honest" unboxing video is usually a paid ad your algorithm chose for you. This lesson exposes how social media and hidden dark patterns nudge middle schoolers into spending money they didn't plan to spend.
Smart Shopping
The cheapest option isn't always the smartest one—and the most expensive rarely wins either. Explore consumer skills, comparison shopping, and the non-price factors that quietly drive every purchase.
How do Banzai lesson plans work? See the FAQ.