Step 1:
What do you understand by self-exposure?
In what ways do you think you can make yourself vulnerable when you use social media?
How can someone else render you vulenrable when you use social media?

Step 2: Case Study
Emma’s Secret Crush Goes Viral
Over the past few weeks, Emma has developed a huge crush on José. She thinks he might like her, too. She knows gossip travels like lightning at school, so she tells only her best friend, Chantal, by texting her after school: “Do you think José likes me? I kinda have a little crush on him.” Emma also swears Chantal to secrecy over the phone later that night. Though Chantal vows to keep her secret, she forwards Emma’s text to Zeke, who forwards it to a friend, who … you know the rest! The next day at school, one of the soccer players, Ted, texts Emma: “Emma+José=so adorable.” Emma is shocked and embarrassed because she told only her best friend, and then swore her to secrecy.
You will now look at this story from different perspectives
Emma’s perspective
1. Why do you think Emma told her friend about her crush?
2. Was she wrong in confiding in her friend?
3. How would this situation be different if Emma had told her friends about the crush in person instead of by sending a text message?
4. How do you think she felt, apart from being shocked and embarrassed, when she received he text from Ted?
Chantal’s perspective
5. Should Chantal have shared what Emma told her in confidence?
6. Can you think of reasons why Chantal acted in the way she did?
7. How do you think Chantal’s relationship with Emma would change now, that she betrayed her best friend?
The other students’ perspective
8. Why do you think the other students would be interested in such a story?
9. Can you think of some reasons why Ted would text Emma?
10. Can you imagine what the reaction of Emma’s peers would be now that they know of her secret?
11. Mention one reaction of Emma’s peers which would show maturity and respect for Emma.

Concluding activity
Has anyone ever shared information about you or someone you know over IM, text, the Internet, etc. that you wanted to keep private? If so, what did you do?