Gen Z's Guide to Using Social Media: A Handbook for Digital Age Students

This Gen Z Social Media User Guide is part of the Rule 901 project.

Enhancing students' awareness of online law.

The online space is considered a microcosm of society – a place where anyone can express and share their personal opinions anonymously. Taking advantage of anonymity on social media, users can engage in negative behaviors, causing harm and even violating the law, without facing any responsibility or punishment. Without sufficient understanding and knowledge, some social media users are easily misled by false and unverified information. This can lead to negative impacts on themselves, those around them, and the wider community.

The Rule 901 project: Raising students' awareness of the law.

Based on this reality, the Student Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Student Union of the Faculty of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, have launched a project called "Legal Toolkit - RULE 901". This is a novel and unique online activity solution, combining various activities, suitable for the current complex pandemic situation. The program aims to equip and provide students with more necessary and useful information related to online law and to foster civilized behavior on social media. Among its main activities, the "Guide to Using Social Media for Gen Z" is a key component of this project.

Accompanying the savvy Gen Z

To conclude the RULE 901 project, the Organizing Committee has conceived and planned to create a handbook titled "Social Media Usage Guide for Gen Z." Beyond summarizing the project's content, the handbook aims to equip and provide students with essential and useful information related to online law, fostering civilized behavior on social media.

This handbook has three main sections, covering topics such as: common problems encountered when using social media, legal knowledge related to cyberspace from cybersecurity to copyright, and essential skills for using social media.

Through various forms of presentation such as surveys, comparisons, and illustrations, the authors of the Social Media User Guide for Gen Z hope to bring readers interesting stories, as well as useful information about cybersecurity laws, copyright in cyberspace, and the opportunities and challenges users face in the online world.

Through vibrant colors and bright, relatable illustrations, this handbook will accompany Gen Z on their journey to becoming savvy social media users, while also helping students develop appropriate online behavior and attitudes.

Finally, the handbook summarizes the "3N" rule, providing students with useful advice when using social media:

PrincipleEstablish a principle for yourself when participating in social media: view issues from multiple perspectives and select only authentic information.

SourceRegardless of whether the information is true or false, Gen Z needs to investigate the source of that information, avoiding hastily believing unverified news circulating on social media.

HumanismGen Z needs to be "humanistic," cultivating a civilized and positive debate culture when participating in social media. When faced with controversial issues, young people need to maintain an objective perspective, respect individual viewpoints, and act politely online.

Download the instruction manual here.