Instructions
Read the information below about how peers and the media can influence your thoughts, feelings, and healthy behaviors. Then, complete the activities that follow.
Influence of Peers
Your friends and classmates can have a big impact on how you think and feel about certain topics. For example:
- Behavior Modeling: If your friends are active and play sports, you might feel motivated to join in and be active too.
- Support: Friends can support you in making healthy choices, like choosing nutritious foods or staying away from harmful substances.
- Peer Pressure: Sometimes, peers can influence you negatively, pressuring you to engage in behaviors that might not be good for you.
Influence of Media
The media plays a significant role in shaping your thoughts and feelings. This includes television, movies, and social media. Here are some ways media can influence you:
- Body Image: Social media often shows images of idealized body types, which can affect how you see yourself and your body.
- Information: Media can provide information about healthy habits, but it can also spread misinformation.
- Trends: Social media often promotes trends that might encourage both positive behaviors (like exercise challenges) or negative behaviors (like unhealthy diet fads).
Activities
1. Reflection: Write a short paragraph reflecting on how your friends influence your choices. Are they supportive of healthy choices? Give examples.
2. Media Influence: Think about a time when you saw something on social media that changed how you felt or what you wanted to do. Describe the situation and your feelings about it.
3. Healthy Choices: List three healthy behaviors you want to adopt or maintain. Next to each one, write how you think your peers and media can support you in these choices.
- Healthy Behavior 1: - Support from peers/media:
- Healthy Behavior 2: - Support from peers/media:
- Healthy Behavior 3: - Support from peers/media:
4. Peer Challenge: If you could create a social media campaign that promotes healthy behaviors among your peers, what would you include? Write down three main points or slogans you would use.
5. Conclusion: Summarize what you learned about the influence of peers and media on your decisions and behaviors in a few sentences.