The Influence of Social Media on Young People
Questions:
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How has social media changed the way young people communicate?
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What are some of the positive and negative effects of social media on mental health?
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Do you think schools should play a role in educating students about responsible social media use?
Right, so to kick things off, it’s fair to say that social media has become a central part of daily life for most young people. (1)______________ we like it or not, it’s transformed not (2)______________ the way they communicate but also the way they view the world and themselves. What I’ll do is address each of the questions (3)____________ turn, beginning with how communication has been affected.
To begin with, it’s clear that social media has drastically altered the way young people interact. Communication nowadays is often instantaneous, highly visual, and heavily mediated through apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. While this enables people to stay in touch effortlessly, it has also contributed (4)______________ a decline in face-to-face interaction and arguably, in the depth of conversations. One could even argue that communication has become more performative than personal, with many prioritising image over authenticity.
Turning now to the issue of mental health, there’s no denying that social media is something of a double-edged (5)______________. On the positive side, it provides a sense of community, enables self-expression, and can be empowering, particularly for individuals who feel marginalised. (6)______________, these benefits often come at a cost. It’s well documented that excessive use of social media can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and low self-worth, particularly when young users become caught up in unrealistic comparisons and the pursuit of validation through likes and shares. (7)______________, being constantly 'online' can lead to digital fatigue and a sense of emotional burnout.
(8)_______________ for whether schools should get involved, I’d argue that they most definitely should. Given the pervasive nature of social media, it’s no longer enough to leave these conversations to families or expect young people to figure it out on their own. Schools have a duty to equip students with the tools they need to navigate the digital world responsibly. This could include lessons on online safety, critical thinking, recognising misinformation, and managing their digital footprint. (9)______________ we want students to thrive both online and offline, then digital literacy should be embedded into the curriculum just as firmly as traditional academic subjects.
All things (10)________________, social media isn’t inherently negative—it’s a tool, and like (11)_______________ tool, its impact depends on how it's used. With the right guidance, particularly from schools, young people can learn to harness its benefits while avoiding some of its more harmful effects. In the end, the aim shouldn’t be to discourage social media altogether, but (12)_____________ to encourage more thoughtful, balanced, and responsible use.
KEY
1. Whether
2. only
3. in
in turn
1. one after the other in a particular order.
E.g. The children called out their names in turn.
2. as a result of something in a series of events.
E.g. Increased production will, in turn, lead to increased profits
4. to
5. sword
6. However
7. Furthermore
8. As
9. If
10. considered
11. any
12. rather
