1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What effect is social media having on teens? Is it the government’s role to protect teens from online threats?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:
- What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the government should restrict teens’ use of social media. The issue is timely because most teens use social media, and concerns have escalated about its impact on their mental health.)
- Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (James Steyer founded an organization that advocates for child protections on the internet. Jason Kelley works for an organization that campaigns for online freedom of speech.)