Contending with Advertisers, Influencers, and Social Media

One of the most important things youth can learn about money is how to stay in control of it. It is important to set their own limits, live within their means and not lose control through excessive spending and borrowing. Losing control can lead to financial stress and anxiety which, if prolonged, can impact mental health and personal happiness. Therefore, it is important to help youth understand how others can try and influence how they use their money and possibly pushing them beyond their spending or borrowing limits. Youth can also learn how to contend with the influences of peer pressure and the ever-growing influence of social media and online “influencers.”

Please Note: Teaching Units provided are for support and consideration by teachers and are not prescriptive.

Learning Map and Supports for Instruction

The “Learning Map” identifies teaching opportunities in Alberta’s curriculum for each topic and you will find them as part of the Support Teaching Materials provided here. Teachers can, of course, integrate the target areas of financial knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours anywhere they can find a fit. The Supports for Instruction provide videos, animations, and links to other resources to support teachers in their efforts to improve the financial literacy of their students.

Taking Control of Money - Division IV: Gr. 10-12

Knowledge

  • Identify important money decisions that many youth make

  • Identify various groups or sources of influence that might try to influence youth decisions about money

  • Explore ways and techniques that are used to influence youth money decisions

  • Understand the different techniques used by advertisers

  • How social media and influencers on social media, can impact youth financial decisions

  • Risks youth face when influenced by others to spend more than they can afford

  • What “living within your means” means

  • How a budget can help control spending and reduce the impact of influences and “influencers”

Skills

  • How to resist the influence of advertisers and others who try to impact spending decisions

  • How to avoid impulse buying

  • How to deal with the influence of peer pressure

  • Track expenses and estimate their spending capacity

  • Modify a budget or plan if needed as circumstances change

  • Develop a detailed budget that aims to include saving to help achieve future goals and be prepared for the unexpected

  • Set personal and financial goals that can lead to better control of spending

Attitudes/Behaviours

  • Assign high priority to staying in control of their money

  • Resist the impact of advertisers and influencers on their money decisions if leading to excessive spending

  • Draw upon personal values and priorities when making spending choices and decisions

  • Make saving and spending decisions to live within their means

  • Keep track of expenses

  • Achieve goals or accomplish tasks by using a plan

  • Spend what they can afford and find ways, as possible, to save