22. pincer szóbeli tétel angol nyelven: Social media

Social networks are websites and apps that allow users and organizations to connect, communicate, share information and form relationships. Social media has transformed the way we communicate, learn, and interact with the world, providing numerous benefits that enhance personal and professional lives.

It has its positive sides, but as everything, it has its negative sides as well. To put it in a different way there are two sides to the coin. A közösségi média tehát nem önmagában jó vagy rossz: a hatása elsősorban attól függ, hogyan és mennyi ideig használjuk.

What is social media?

One of the greatest benefits of social media sites is that it enables people to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues regardless of geographical barriers and distances. It helps real-time communication, making it easier to share updates, photos, and life events, providing platforms for sharing news and information quickly and efficiently.

It is also an endless source of information. Users can stay informed about global events, local news, and their topics of interest. Social media site algorithms are excellent at giving you just the right kind of information based on your Internet using habits and interactions.

They monitor you closely and recommend you the appropriate events, videos or books. Social media sites provide a source of enjoyment and relaxation for their users.

The advantages of social media

Keeping in touch

One of the greatest benefits of social media sites is that it enables people to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues regardless of geographical barriers and distances. It helps real-time communication, making it easier to share updates, photos, and life events, providing platforms for sharing news and information quickly and efficiently.

People can use social media to keep in touch with family and friends who live far away. Online communities also make it possible for users with similar interests to communicate, exchange ideas and support one another.

News and information

It is also an endless source of information. Users can stay informed about global events, local news, and their topics of interest. Social media site algorithms are excellent at giving you just the right kind of information based on your Internet using habits and interactions.

They monitor you closely and recommend you the appropriate events, videos or books. Social media provides platforms for sharing news and information quickly and efficiently.

Education and entertainment

Social media sites provide a source of enjoyment and relaxation for their users. Social media sites have a huge educational impact.

YouTube is an endless source of information and tutorials on practically everything that exists and even TikTok showcases a wide range of educational videos. Users can learn about different subjects, watch explanations and find practical guidance online.

The disadvantages of social media

However, the other side of the coin is that using social media sites is a very addictive activity. There is always something to see, read or click on and most people feel anxious if they don’t check or scroll their social media every couple of minutes.

FOMO, or ‘fear of missing out’ is the expression for that feeling. People are usually not even aware of the screen time they spend on social media a day.

Excessive screen time and neglect of real-life relationships and responsibilities are very harmful. The constant need for likes, comments, and shares can become a real dependence on social media.

Social media can be a major distraction, leading to procrastination and decreased productivity at work or school. Screen time before bed can lead to poor sleep quality.

Comparison and mental health

It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap because people usually post only the highlights of their lives. It can be misleading and make us feel inadequate.

People may compare their own everyday lives with the carefully selected pictures and achievements of others. This can have a negative impact on mental health, especially when users cannot stop comparing themselves to other people.

Privacy, negativity and misinformation

Sometimes, people worry about privacy and the impact on their mental health. There’s so much negativity and misinformation out there. It can be hard to know what to trust and what is fake news.

It’s important to follow reliable sources and fact-check information. As for the negativity, it can be helpful to check your feed and unfollow accounts and people that don’t add value or positivity to your life.

How social media has changed

Social media sites have changed over time. The primary social media platform used to be Facebook for most people.

Nowadays Facebook is considered to be outdated and old-fashioned for the younger generation. They tend to use Instagram instead and Generation Z or GenZ uses mostly TikTok.

TikTok is known for its short-form videos ranging from 15 seconds to 3 minutes in length. It has gained immense popularity worldwide, particularly among younger audiences.

Why it is so attractive for youngsters is a puzzle for the older generations though.

How can we use social media responsibly?

Social media can be great for staying informed and connected if you use it wisely and don’t waste your time on useless things. Setting boundaries can help with that.

It is useful to limit social media use to certain times of the day and try to be mindful of how much time you spend online. There are even apps that can help track and manage your social media usage.

If social media overwhelms you, taking a break or limiting your use can be really helpful. Finding a balance in how we use it is essential.

Social media isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s a tool, and it’s up to us to use it in a way that benefits us.

Sample dialogue: To use social media or not to use social media?

Woman: Hey Tim, I’ve been thinking a lot about my social media habits lately. Do you think it’s worth the time we spend using it?

Man: That’s a good question, Susan. It really depends on how you use it. What are your concerns?

Woman: Well, on the one hand, I love staying connected with friends and keeping up with the news. But on the other hand, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and distracted by it. And the amount of time I spend scrolling also concerns me.

Man: I get that. Social media can be great for staying informed and connected if you use it wisely and don’t waste your time on useless things. I use it to keep in touch with family and friends who live far away, and I’ve joined some awesome communities that share my interests.

Woman: That sounds nice. I enjoy seeing what everyone is up to and finding new content. But I also worry about privacy and the impact on my mental health. Sometimes, I can’t help but compare myself to others.

Man: That’s a common issue. It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap because people usually post only the highlights of their lives. It can be misleading and make us feel inadequate.

Woman: Exactly. And there’s so much negativity and misinformation out there. It can be hard to know what to trust and what is fake news.

Man: True. I think it’s important to follow reliable sources and fact-check information. As for the negativity, I’ve found it helpful to check my feed and unfollow accounts and people that don’t add value or positivity to my life.

Woman: That makes sense. But what about the time it takes up? I sometimes feel like I’m wasting hours just scrolling through my Instagram and Facebook feeds.

Man: Setting boundaries can help with that. I limit my social media use to certain times of the day and try to be mindful of how much time I spend online. There are even apps that can help track and manage your social media usage.

Woman: Those are good tips. I guess it’s about finding a balance in how we use it then.

Man: Exactly. Social media isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s a tool, and it’s up to us to use it in a way that benefits us. If you find that it overwhelms you, taking a break or limiting your use can be really helpful.

Woman: I like that perspective. Maybe I’ll try setting some limits and see how it goes. Thanks for the advice, Tim.

Man: Anytime, Susan. Remember, it’s all about what works best for you. If you ever need to talk about it more, I’m here.

Woman: Thanks, Tim. I appreciate it.

Useful phrases for the oral exam

• social media habits - közösségi média felhasználási szokások
• Do you think it’s worth the time we spend using it? - Szerinted megéri a használatára fordított idő?
• It really depends on how you use it. - Attól függ, hogy hogyan használod.
• What are your concerns? - Mi miatt aggódsz?
• if you use it wisely - ha bölcsen vagy okosan használod
• to keep in touch with family and friends who live far away - kapcsolatot tartani a családdal és a távol élő barátokkal
• I can’t help but compare myself to others. - Önkéntelenül is másokhoz hasonlítom magam.
• That’s a common issue. - Ez elterjedt probléma.
• It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. - Könnyű beleesni az összehasonlítgatás csapdájába.
• It can be hard to know what to trust and what is fake news. - Nehéz tudni, hogy miben lehet bízni, és mi az álhír.
• Setting boundaries can help. - Határok felállítása segíteni tud.
• Social media isn’t inherently good or bad. - A közösségi média nem alapból jó vagy rossz.
• It’s a tool, and it’s up to us to use it in a way that benefits us. - Ez egy eszköz, és rajtunk áll, hogy úgy használjuk, hogy a hasznunkra váljon.
• taking a break or limiting your use can be really helpful - egy kis szüneteltetés vagy a használat korlátozása segíthet
• I’ll see how it goes. - Meglátom, hogy hogy fog menni.

Important vocabulary

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