Social Media: Friend or Foe?

Warm-up: Your feed and you

2 warm-up questions

• Which social media platforms do you use most, and what do you mainly use them for?
• Quick first answer, 30 seconds: is social media a friend or a foe in your life? Pick one and say why.

Reading: The Social Media Debate

Read a 262-word text about The Social Media Debate

The Social Media Debate Social media has changed how we communicate, share information, and connect with others. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) have billions of users worldwide. But is this a good thing? The Benefits Social media helps us stay connected with friends and family, even when they live far away. It's also a powerful tool for learning new things, following the news, and discovering different cultures. Many people have found jobs, made new friends, or even started businesses through social media. The Concerns However, there are serious concerns. Many people spend too much time scrolling through their feeds, which can affect their sleep and productivity. There are also worries about privacy, fake news, and the impact on mental health—especially for young people who compare themselves to the "perfect" lives they see online. Finding Balance The key might be finding a healthy balance. Social media itself isn't good or bad—it depends on how we use it. Language for this conversation Three sets of phrases for today. Try each set at least once. Giving your opinion: "In my opinion…", "For me…", "I'd say…" "For me, social media is a friend — it keeps me connected to family far away." Disagreeing politely: "I see what you mean, but…", "I'm not so sure about that.", "Maybe, but…" "I see what you mean, but scrolling for hours isn't really staying connected." Saying "it depends": "It depends on…", "Most of the time…", "It's not always that simple." "It depends on how you use it — a platform isn't good or bad by itself."

Vocabulary: Key Vocabulary

6 items

Practice: Social Media Language

Gap-fill exercise, 5 items

• Her cooking video went ____ and got millions of views.
• I need to stop ____ through my phone before bed.
• Many ____ promote products to their audience.
• There are serious concerns about ____ on social media.
• She built a large ____ by posting fitness content regularly.

Practice: Match the Social Media Terms

Matching exercise, 6 items

• go viral
• fake news
• digital detox
• content creator
• doom scrolling
• algorithm

Discussion: Friend or foe — your verdict

6 discussion questions

• Do the posts in your feed show people's real lives? Why do most people only share the good parts?
• “Social media does more harm than good.” Agree or disagree politely — “I see what you mean, but…” — and give two reasons.
• Your tutor says children under 16 should be banned from every platform. What do you think? Use one of today's phrases to answer.
• Would being an influencer with thousands of followers make your life better or worse? It's fine to say “it depends” — but on what?
• Could you take a one-week break from scrolling? What would you miss first — and what might actually feel better?
• Back to your 30-second answer: friend or foe? Answer again with one of today's phrases. Did your answer change?