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Add English DGB 4 translation

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:DGB 4: Social Media, Business Interests and Self-Image}}
← [[DGB 4. Klasse/en|Digital Literacy – Year 4]]

Social-media platforms are communication spaces and commercial products at the same time.
Advertising, data analysis and attention-based business models can influence which content is
promoted and how users compare themselves with others. Students learn to separate personal
choice from platform incentives and make more deliberate decisions.

== Curriculum reference ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Area !! Classification
|-
| '''Competence area''' || Communication
|-
| '''Perspectives''' || G, I
|-
| '''Focus''' || How corporate interests influence worldviews and self-image on social media
|-
| '''Competence''' || Analyse social-media business models, advertising and attention mechanisms and make more deliberate platform and usage choices.
|}

== Learning objectives ==

Students can:

* describe common social-media business models;
* explain how targeted advertising uses user data and inferred interests;
* recognise algorithmic selection and attention optimisation;
* describe possible effects of filter bubbles and echo chambers;
* analyse how idealised images can affect self-image and social comparison;
* explain FOMO and design patterns that encourage continued use;
* recognise artificial engagement such as bots or purchased interactions;
* identify privacy trade-offs in social-media use;
* compare platforms using transparent criteria;
* develop strategies for more deliberate and balanced use.

== Learning content ==

=== Business interests and platform models ===

Many platforms earn revenue through advertising, subscriptions, commissions or data-driven
services. The provider's goal may therefore include increasing engagement, time spent and
advertising effectiveness.

=== Targeted advertising and consumption ===

Behavioural signals can be used to select advertising for assumed interests. Advertising may be
clearly labelled, embedded in influencer content or blended into the visual style of ordinary posts.

=== Algorithmic selection and attention ===

Ranking systems choose which posts appear prominently. Content that receives strong
engagement can be favoured, which may reward emotionally intense or highly shareable material.

=== Worldview, filter bubbles and echo chambers ===

Repeated exposure to similar viewpoints can distort perceptions of how common a belief is.
Group dynamics may further reinforce positions when disagreement is discouraged.

=== Self-image and social comparison ===

Curated images often show highlights rather than ordinary life. Constant comparison with
idealised bodies, lifestyles or achievements can affect expectations and well-being.

=== FOMO and artificial belonging ===

Notifications, streaks, scarcity messages and visible popularity metrics can create pressure to
remain active. Such features are design choices, not natural requirements of communication.

=== Artificial interactions ===

Bots, coordinated accounts or purchased likes can make ideas or products appear more popular
than they really are. Popularity signals therefore need critical interpretation.

=== Privacy and deliberate choice ===

Users can compare platforms by data collection, privacy controls, advertising, moderation,
interoperability and purpose. The 'best' platform depends on what someone actually needs.

== Classroom activities ==

=== Audit a platform ===

Analyse a platform description for business model, data use, ranking and moderation.

'''Expected outcome:''' A platform profile.

=== Advertising or ordinary post ===

Classify prepared examples and identify commercial indicators.

'''Expected outcome:''' An advertising analysis.

=== My feed, my worldview ===

Use a fictional feed to trace how repeated engagement could narrow topics.

'''Expected outcome:''' A feed-path diagram.

=== Self-image comparison ===

Analyse how selection, filters and editing affect perceived normality.

'''Expected outcome:''' A reflection sheet.

=== Role-play a platform company ===

Balance goals of users, advertisers, creators, moderators and owners.

'''Expected outcome:''' A business-and-responsibility map.

=== Justify a platform choice ===

Choose a platform for a defined communication task using agreed criteria.

'''Expected outcome:''' A reasoned recommendation.

=== Make advertising data visible ===

Map which behavioural signals could be useful for targeted advertising.

'''Expected outcome:''' A data-to-advertising map.

=== Create a conscious-use guide ===

Develop practical rules for notifications, source diversity, privacy and time.

'''Expected outcome:''' A usage guide.

=== Influencer case analysis ===

Separate personal recommendation, sponsorship and platform incentives in a fictional case.

'''Expected outcome:''' A transparent analysis.

=== Media balance reflection ===

Observe usage categories and triggers for a short period without storing private content.

'''Expected outcome:''' A personal action plan.

== Self-check ==

* I understand that social media has business incentives.
* I can recognise targeted advertising and attention mechanisms.
* I can explain how ranking may affect what I see.
* I can analyse idealised self-presentation critically.
* I can compare platforms using privacy, purpose and control as criteria.
* I have strategies for more deliberate use.

== See also ==

[[DGB 4: Normativitaet digitaler Technologien und Medieninhalte/en|Normativity, Filter Bubbles and Stereotypes]]
[[DGB 4: Medienrealitaet und Manipulation/en|Media Reality, Information Analysis and Manipulation]]
[[DGB 4: Verantwortungsvolle digitale Kommunikation/en|Responsible Digital Communication, Copyright and Image Rights]]

[[Kategorie:Digitale Grundbildung]]
[[Kategorie:DGB 4]]

DGB 4: Social Media Welt- und Selbstbild/en - Versionsgeschichte

Administrator: Add English DGB 4 translation