EL099R English Orientation Programme

A social media network is an online platform that people use to build social networks with other people based on common interests and/or real-life connections.  Social media has become a space, especially for our young people, to form and build relationships, shape self-identity, express themselves, and learn about the world around them. The internet and social media have transformed the way in which this generation - commonly known as ‘digital natives’ - interact and communicate with each other. However, recent studies have raised serious concerns about the possible detrimental effects on our young people – and in particular, their mental health.

 

While many of us enjoy staying connected on social media, excessive use can fuel feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation. Research suggests that young people who are heavy users of social media are more likely to report poor mental health, including psychological distress. Using social media for more than two hours per day has also been independently associated with poor self-rating of mental health, increased levels of psychological distress and suicidal ideation.  Seeing friends constantly on holiday or enjoying nights out can make young people feel like they are missing out while others enjoy life. These feelings can promote a ‘compare and despair’ attitude in young people.  On the other hand, using social media on phones, laptops and tablets at night is also linked with poor quality sleep which is linked to a wide range of both physical and mental health conditions in adults including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, stroke and depression.   One in five young people say they wake up during the night to check messages on social media, leading them to be three times more likely to feel constantly tired at school than their classmates who don’t use social media during the night. 

 

Social media can also have a significant impact on adolescent’s body image. Body image is an issue for many young people, both male and female, but particularly females in their teens and early twenties. There are 10 million new photographs uploaded to Facebook alone every hour, providing an almost endless potential for young women to be drawn into appearance-based comparisons whilst online. It seems that social media is behind a rise in younger generations opting to have cosmetic surgery to look better in photos, which has implications for physical health through unnecessary invasive surgery.   

 

In general, social media use can negatively affect teens by distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and by exposing them to cyberbullying and rumor spreading.  

1. What is the main idea of the text?

 

2. What does the phrase (excessive use can fuel feelings of anxiety) mean?

 

3.  How does the writer define “social media network”?

 

4. According to the text, what do young people use social media for? Mention 3 points.

 

5. In your opinion, what are the negative effects of social media that are not mentioned in the    text? Mention 2 points.

 

6. What does ‘compare and despair’ attitude mean? Support your answer with examples from the text.

 

7. Find a word in the text that means (harming or harassing someone on the internet).

 

8. Why do some adolescents choose to go through cosmetic surgeries? 

 

9. Find a word/ phrase in the text that means (people who are familiar with the technology of computers and the internet from an early age).

 

10. From your point of view, suggest two ways that can be used to limit the time teenagers spend on social media.