The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers

Thesis

In the current digital era, social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X have become an inseparable part of a teenager's daily life. While these platforms offer a way to stay connected, the hyper-connected nature of these apps can often be detrimental to their development. I personally believe that excessive social media use poses significant risks to the mental health and social skills of adolescents.


Arguments

Firstly, social media is a primary catalyst for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Many teenagers feel an immense pressure to post "perfect" photos to gain likes and validation. This constant comparison to the curated, unrealistic lives of influencers often leads to low self-esteem and body image issues. Furthermore, the fear of missing out (FOMO) keeps them glued to their screens late into the night, resulting in sleep deprivation, which further worsens their emotional stability.


​Secondly, social media can diminish real-life social skills. Although it is designed to "connect" people, many teenagers find it difficult to engage in face-to-face conversations. They become more comfortable communicating through screens where they can edit their words and hide behind filters. This lack of physical interaction prevents them from learning essential non-verbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice, which are crucial for healthy adult relationships.


​Lastly, the digital world is a breeding ground for cyberbullying. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can follow a teenager home, 24/7. The anonymity provided by the internet often emboldens individuals to say things they would never say in person, leading to severe psychological trauma for the victims.


Reiteration

In conclusion, while social media has its benefits for communication, its negative impacts cannot be ignored. The risks of mental health decline, the erosion of face-to-face social skills, and the threat of cyberbullying are real concerns. Therefore, it is obvious that teenagers need to limit their screen time and use these platforms more mindfully.


​Now answer these questions.


1. What is the main idea of the text?

A. Social media is the best tool for modern communication.

B. Teenagers should avoid the internet entirely to stay healthy.

C. Excessive social media use has several negative impacts on teenagers.

D. Cyberbullying is the only major problem found on social media.

E. Influencers are responsible for the low self-esteem of all teenagers.


2. Based on the first argument, why do teenagers often feel anxious?

A. Because they don't have enough followers.

B. Because they feel pressured to maintain a "perfect" online image.

C. Because social media apps are too expensive to use.

D. Because they are bored with the content they see.

E. Because they cannot find any influencers to follow.


3. The word "detrimental" in the thesis paragraph is closest in meaning to...

A. Beneficial

B. Harmless

C. Harmful

D. Significant

E. Essential


4. "This constant comparison to the curated... lives of influencers..." (Paragraph 2). The underlined word can be replaced by...

A. Random

B. Neglected

C. Organized/Selected

D. Natural

E. Messy


5. What does the word "them" in the second paragraph (sentence 4) refer to?

A. Screens

B. Influencers

C. Platforms

D. Teenagers

E. Body image issues


6. "This lack of physical interaction prevents them from learning..." (Paragraph 3). What does the word "them" refer to?

A. Social skills

B. Teenagers

C. Face-to-face conversations

D. Non-verbal cues

E. Adult relationships


7. According to the text, how does social media affect a teenager's social skills?

A. It makes them more confident in public speaking.

B. It helps them understand body language better.

C. It makes them too comfortable with digital communication, hindering real-life interaction.

D. It teaches them how to edit videos and photos professionally.

E. It encourages them to meet new people offline every day.


8. Which of the following is a relevant issue mentioned in the text regarding cyberbullying?

A. It only happens during school hours.

B. It is less dangerous than physical bullying.

C. It can happen at any time because it follows the victim home.

D. It is easily stopped by deleting the app.

E. It is caused by the high price of smartphones.


9. What is the author's suggestion in the reiteration?

A. Teenagers should delete all their social media accounts.

B. Teenagers should become influencers to gain confidence.

C. Teenagers must limit their screen time and use social media wisely.

D. Parents should stop buying smartphones for their children.

E. Schools should ban the use of social media for all students.


10. What is the purpose of the text?

A. To describe the history of social media platforms.

B. To persuade the readers that social media use for teens has negative effects.

C. To explain how to create a popular social media account.

D. To entertain the readers with stories about teenagers and TikTok.

E. To inform the readers about the latest social media trends in 2026.

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