the

social
dilemma
 THANK YOU
YOUR BUSINESS IS APPRECIATED

Dear Colleague,

Thanks for your purchase! I hope you and your students really enjoy this product and
that it adds value for years to come. I take pride in leveraging the power of today's
streaming services to affect positive change for a more resilient and equitable future.

To help me create more positive experiences for teachers like you,

please leave me a review and share what you liked most.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the educational movie
guide for The Social Dilemma:

Before viewing the film have the students read through the guide.

Give Learners 5-10 minutes to complete the Pre-Viewing Questions and discuss together.

Play the movie (make sure to turn on English subtitles to help learners follow along).

Stop the movie every few minutes to answer any questions or clarify content.

Once the movie is done, give students time to complete their guide.

Prompt the students to share their answers out loud and use the guide to lead a discussion to
help cement their learning.

Optional: Complete the Post Viewing Reflection Guide and/or the Quote Guide

If you have any questions at all, please contact me at gmitchell@saanichschools.ca

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 the We tweet, we like, and we
share - but what are the
social consequences of our

dilemma growing dependence on

social media?

Google Slides Format

This guide is Print & Go Ready. If you want to access the Google Slides
version of this guide, follow the steps below:

1. Click here to get your Google Slides version of this movie guide

2. The prompt will ask you to save a copy to your Google Drive.

3. Share it with your students via Google Classroom, Drive, or your email.
 the Name:
social Name:
Date:
dilemma

key vocabulary
Match the correct word to its definition. Next use the word in a sentence or draw an image

Algorithm Manipulation Echo Chamber

Polarization Fake News
Silicon Valley Regulation Ethical Design

Create Your Own

Term Definition Sentence/Image
false or misleading information presented as
reality. It often has the aim of damaging the
________________ reputation of a person or making money.
an environment where a person only
encounters information or opinions that reflect
________________ and reinforce their own.

a region in Northern California that serves as a

global center for high technology and
________________ innovation.
a type of social influence that aims to change
the behavior or perception of others through
________________ deceptive or underhanded tactics

products and services created in a way that

pursues positive principles over profits.
________________

in government, a rule or mechanism that limits,

steers, or otherwise controls social behavior.
________________

A detailed step-by-step formula for solving a

complex task. Can be used to understand user
________________ habits and predict future behavior.
the gap between ideas and policies endorsed
by political parties. In many countries this gap
________________ is growing larger
 the Name:
Name:
social
dilemma Date:
Date:

PRE-VIEWING QUESTIONS
1. Do you use social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube,
etc.? If so, how much time do you think you spend on them on an average day?

2. Based on what you already know, what are some of the benefits of platforms like Facebook,
Instagram, and Snapchat?

3. The documentary, The Social Dilemma, highlights some of the unintended consequences
associated with social media. Can you think of any potential drawbacks associated with using
these platforms?

DISCUSSION TIME
Before watching the film, discuss the questions below with a classmate. Be ready to share.

Do you think social media Do you worry about

sites should be blocked social media companies
at school? Why or why using your data for
not? How do companies like advertising? Explain.
Facebook, YouTube, and
Instagram make money?

1
 the We tweet, we like, and we
share - but what are the
social consequences of our

dilemma growing dependence on

social media?

1. The film begins with short interview clips from social media insiders who helped to build
platforms like Facebook and Instagram. What do these interviewees seem to have in
common? 0:01->3:29

“Never before in history have 50 designers - 20 to 35-year-old white guys in California -

made decisions that would have an impact on two billion people.”
~ Tristan Harris 9:17->9:28
2. What are your thoughts on such a small group of unelected people having such a large
level of influence? Is this a problem?

3. Film subject Tristan Harris says that “if you’re not paying for the product, then you are the
product.” What does he mean by this statement?

4. As Shoshana Zuboff points out, extractive technology has made internet companies “the
richest companies in the history of humanity.” 16:29 How do these businesses make their
money?

5. Why do the platforms discussed in the documentary want you to spend as much time as
possible on their sites?
 the We tweet, we like, and we
share - but what are the
social consequences of our

dilemma growing dependence on

social media?

“What I want people to know is that everything they’re doing online is being
watched, is being tracked, and is being measured. Every single action you
take is carefully monitored and recorded.”
~ Jeff Seibert 16:38
6. Does knowing this change the way you feel about using social media platforms?

“We’ve put deceit and sneakiness at the center of everything we do.”

~ Jaron Lanier 21:50
7. According to Jaron Lanier, the social media platforms that allow us to connect and
communicate so effectively with each other are paid for by “sneaky” players. What makes
them so “sneaky”?

8. Social psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt highlights alarming increases in self-harm and

suicide statistics amongst pre-teen and teenage girls. He contends that these increases
correspond with greater use of social media. 40:08 Do you feel that increased social media
consumption is negatively impacting well-being? Explain your answer.

9. Do you think it’s important for everyone to have the same set of facts? Do you follow
people and sources you disagree with? Why or why not? 57:40

10. In the final ten minutes, the interviewees make it clear that we need to start regulating the
platforms the way we do other powerful companies. What ideas do they suggest?

3
 the Name:
social Name:
Date:
dilemma

quote guide

The Social Dilemma is packed with powerful quotes. Now that you have watched it, choose
3 quotes below and explain their importance.

Quote Your Thoughts...

”Any sufficiently advanced

technology is indistinguishable
from magic.”

”If you’re not paying for the

product, then you’re the
product.”

”There are only two industries

that call their customers ‘users’:
illegal drugs and software.”

”Social media is a marketplace

that trades exclusively in human
futures.”

"We want to psychologically

figure out how to manipulate
you as fast as possible."

Create your own quote to

summarize the film
 the Name:

II
social
dilemma Date:

WHAT?
Step 1: This step involves summarizing the information you have learned watching the Social
Dilemma and pulling out the main ideas

WHAT are the key takeaways or "big ideas" in the Social Dilemma?

SO WHAT?
Step 2: This step involves moving past describing the information you have learned in Step 1 to
discussing why it is significant.

SO WHAT - To succeed here, explain why the big idea(s) at the heart of the Social Dilemma is/are
important and describe how you feel about it:

NOW WHAT?
Step 3: The final step involves putting this new knowledge into context and connecting it to the
"bigger picture."

NOW WHAT - How is this information you learned in the Social Dilemma connected to other
ideas/concepts you have discussed in this class or other classes?
 the
the
social
social Teacher
dilemma
dilemma Guide

PRE-VIEWING QUESTIONS
1. Do you use social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube,
etc.? If so, how much time do you think you spend on them on an average day?

Answers will vary.

2. Based on what you already know, what are some of the benefits of platforms like Facebook,
Instagram, and Snapchat?
Social media platforms can provide powerful tools for highlighting and acting on issues
and causes, allow individuals to showcase their creative content (i.e., music, videos, etc),
provide spaces that foster support, and allow for people to connect with friends from
around the world.
3. The documentary, The Social Dilemma, highlights some of the unintended consequences
associated with social media. Can you think of any potential drawbacks associated with using
these platforms?
Potential to isolate users from family and friends, reinforce interests and viewpoints while
highlighting divisions, and contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. Other
negative effects may include exposure to manipulative practices, the potential for
addiction, and the increased spread of disinformation.

DISCUSSION TIME
Before watching the film, discuss the questions below with a classmate. Be ready to share.

Do you think social media Do you worry about

sites should be blocked social media companies
at school? Why or why using your data for
not? How do companies like advertising? Explain
Facebook, YouTube, and
Instagram make money?
 the Teacher
social Guide
dilemma

1. The film begins with short interview clips from social media insiders who helped to build
platforms like Facebook and Instagram. What do these interviewees seem to have in
common? 0:01->3:29
All of the interviewees appear nervous/tense. They are all relatively young (under 40).
Mostly male and white.

“Never before in history have 50 designers - 20 to 35-year-old white guys in

California - made decisions that would have an impact on two billion people.”
~ Tristan Harris 9:17->9:28
2. What are your thoughts on such a small group of unelected people having such a large
level of influence? Is this a problem?

Answers will vary

3. Film subject Tristan Harris says that “if you’re not paying for the product, then you are the
product.” What does he mean by this statement?

That social media users, or more specifically their data, are actually the product. The social
media sites are designed to capture and analyze user data (their likes, views, shares, purchases,
etc.) to build predictive models. This information is then sold to advertisers to help them
effectively target users with ads for products.
4. As Shoshana Zuboff points out, extractive technology has made internet companies “the
richest companies in the history of humanity.” 16:29 How do these businesses make their
money?
They make money by selling your personal information to advertisers and by allowing
advertisers to target specific users with ads.
5. Why do the platforms discussed in the documentary want you to spend as much time as
possible on their sites?
The more time you spend on a platform (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), the more information you
leave behind. The more information you leave, the greater the likelihood of these companies
being able to predict your future behavior (i.e., purchases, preferences, etc.) This valuable
information is then sold to advertisers who can precisely target users based on their
preferences.
 the Teacher
social Guide
dilemma

“What I want people to know is that everything they’re doing online is being
watched, is being tracked, and is being measured. Every single action you
take is carefully monitored and recorded.”
~ Jeff Seibert 16:38
6. Does knowing this change the way you feel about using social media platforms?
Answers will vary.
“We’ve put deceit and sneakiness at the center of everything we do.”
~ Jaron Lanier 21:50
7. According to Jardon Lanier, the social media platforms that allow us to connect and
communicate so effectively with each other are paid for by “sneaky” players. What makes
them so “sneaky”?
On the face of it, these platforms promote themselves as convenient tools for individuals to
connect and share. However, beneath the surface, the business model is heavily focused on
manipulating users, by gathering and analyzing their personal information and using this to
target ads.
8. Social psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt highlights alarming increases in self-harm and
suicide statistics amongst pre-teen and teenage girls. He contends that these increases
correspond with greater use of social media. 40:08 Do you feel that increased social media
consumption is negatively impacting well-being? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary. Students may point to issues such as rising levels of anxiety and depression,
levels of tech addiction, and the spread of harmful, divisive content. Students may also touch
on issues such as cyberbullying and isolation.
9. Do you think it’s important for everyone to have the same set of facts? Do you follow
people and sources you disagree with? Why or why not? 57:40
Answers will vary. Students may contend that having a consistent set of agreed-upon facts
provides a crucial starting point for any legitimate discussion and debate. Without this
foundation, it is very difficult to build consensus. The failure to start with an agreed set of facts
allows misinformation to spread and political polarization to increase.
10. In the final ten minutes, the interviewees make it clear that we need to start regulating the
platforms the way we do other powerful companies. What ideas do they suggest?
Answers will vary. Taxing data collection to curb companies from gathering too much
information, regulating companies so that their algorithms do not reward divisive content and
fake news, and providing ways to curb the spread of misinformation - perhaps by ensuring that
big companies hire arbitrators (from a diverse set of political perspectives) to filter
controversial content.
 II
THANK YOU
YOUR BUSINESS IS APPRECIATED

Thanks again for your purchase! I hope you and your students really enjoyed this
product. I take pride in leveraging the power of today's streaming services to affect
positive change for a more resilient and equitable future.

To help me create more positive experiences for teachers like you,

please leave me a review and share what you liked most.

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