📘 CodingMarble Learn

Media and Technology

Media means the ways we get news, stories and messages: phones, the internet, social media, TV and film. Technology makes them fast and global. The benefits are learning, news, fun and staying in touch. The risks are too much screen time, fake news, unkind messages and privacy loss. A balanced user checks facts and limits time.

🎬 Step-by-step story

  1. Three common devices: a phone, a TV and a laptop. All three give information and fun.
  2. The internet is like a big cloud network. A message goes from the phone to the cloud, then reaches another device.
  3. On social media one post spreads from friend to friend. Each of the 12 people can pass it on.
  4. TV and film: moving pictures and sound. We learn and laugh with them.
  5. Look at the balance. Green blocks are benefits. Red blocks are risks. They come together.
  6. Your turn. Change the hours per day and see which way the balance tips. Press "Check first" too.

Tip: drag the 3D scene to turn it. Use two fingers to zoom.

🤔 Common doubts, cleared

Do TV and phone give the same kind of media?

Both show videos and news. TV mostly sends programmes at set times. A phone can also let you post and reply. See all three devices in step 0.

How does a message get from my phone to a friend?

It goes through the internet, the cloud of cables and computers, and reaches the other device. Watch the yellow dots in step 1.

Why do posts spread so fast?

Each person who sees a post can pass it to many friends, so the number grows quickly. Watch the 12 people turn orange one by one in step 2.

Is the balance always the same?

No. With more hours the red risk blocks grow. Moving the slider in step 5 changes it.

Does "Check first" remove all risks?

No. It removes fake-news risk only. You still need to limit time and stay polite. Compare before and after pressing it.

Phones, internet and social media

Media is how news, stories and messages reach many people. Technology is the tools we use: phones, computers, TVs, satellites and cables.

A smartphone is a phone that can also take photos, play videos and connect to the internet. The internet is a huge network that joins computers all over the world. When you send a message, it is broken into small pieces, travels through cables or radio waves, and is put together again on the other device.

Social media are websites and apps where people share posts, photos and videos and talk to each other. A post can reach thousands of people in minutes because each person can share it with their friends.

Everyday uses: calling and chatting, maps, online classes, banking, shopping, news and games.

TV and film

Television brings news, sport, shows, films and adverts into the home. A film is a story told in moving pictures and sound. Types of programme: news, documentary, cartoon, drama, game show, sport. Films may be comedy, action, family, horror or romance.

Today we watch on a TV, a phone or a laptop through streaming (watching over the internet, when we want). Many people now choose what and when to watch instead of waiting for a set time.

Good things: we learn about other places, enjoy stories and relax. Be careful: adverts try to sell things, and some content is not for children. Look at the age rating.

Benefits of media technology

Risks and how to stay safe

Safe habits: set a daily limit, take breaks, use strong passwords, think before you post (a post may stay online for ever), and talk to family about what you see.

Try it

In the 3D: go to the last step. Set the slider to 2 hours, then 6 hours, and watch the balance. Then press "Check first". Predict what changes before you press.

At home: for one day, write each time you use a screen and why (learning, fun, chat). Count the hours. Is your balance green or red? Decide one change.

Key formulas and definitions

Worked examples

1. You see a shocking news post from an unknown page. What should you do before sharing?

Check the source: is it a trusted news site? Search for the same news elsewhere. If you cannot confirm it, do not share it.

2. A classmate sends unkind messages to Rahul in a group chat. What should Rahul do?

Not reply in anger. Save the messages, tell a trusted adult (parent or teacher) and block or report the sender.

3. Anita watches a video of a science experiment and tries it at home with an adult. Which benefit is this?

Learning. Technology gave her new knowledge and an idea to try.

4. A post is passed on by 1 person to 3 friends, and each of those 3 passes it to 3 new friends. How many people have seen it (including the first)?

1 + 3 + 9 = 13 people. Posts spread fast because every person can pass them on.

Common mistakes

Practice quiz

1. Which is an example of social media?
2. Watching films over the internet when you want is called:
3. Which is a risk of technology?
4. If someone sends unkind messages online, you should:
5. The TECH habit "C" stands for:

Practice: answer these yourself

Type or choose your answer, then press Check. Use a hint if you are stuck; the full solution appears after you answer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between media and social media?

Media means all the ways messages reach many people: newspapers, TV, radio, the internet. Social media is one part of it, where users themselves share posts and talk to each other.

How much screen time is healthy?

There is no single number for everyone, but children should keep time for sleep, sport, family and homework first, and take breaks from screens. In the 3D balance, risks start to rise after about 2 hours of fun screen time a day.

How can I spot fake news?

Check who wrote it, look for the same news on trusted sites, see the date, be careful of shocking headlines and edited pictures, and do not share until you have checked.

Where this is taught

England (GCSE, A level)Year 11Theme 3: Communication and the world around us
England (GCSE, A level)Year 11Theme 3: Communication and the world around us
England (GCSE, A level)Year 11Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

Learn first

Learn next

Related lessons

All Social Science lessons