Social Media Topic
Part 1 Questions
Short, personal questions. Answer directly, then add one extra sentence to extend your answer naturally.
1. Do you use social media?
"Yes, I use it fairly regularly, mainly to keep in touch with friends and family who live abroad."
2. Which social media platform do you use most?
"Probably Instagram, mostly for browsing and occasionally messaging friends, more than actually posting content myself."
3. How much time do you spend on social media each day?
"Probably around an hour, though I suspect it is sometimes more than that if I am honest with myself."
4. Do you think social media is a good way to stay in touch with people?
"To an extent, yes, especially for staying loosely connected, though I do not think it fully replaces proper conversations or meeting in person."
5. Have your social media habits changed over the years?
"Yes, I use it far less actively than I used to, mostly just browsing rather than posting regularly like I did a few years ago."
6. Do you ever take breaks from social media?
"Occasionally, yes, particularly when I feel like it is becoming a distraction or affecting my focus."
Part 2 Cue Card
You get 1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes.
Describe a social media platform or app you find useful
You should say:
- What the app is
- What you use it for
- How often you use it
- And explain why you find it useful
Full model answer
I'd like to talk about a messaging app I use called WhatsApp, which I would honestly consider one of the most genuinely useful apps on my phone, even more so than more traditional social media platforms.
It's primarily a messaging service, but I use it for far more than just texting. I am part of several group chats, including one with close friends from university and another with my extended family, some of whom live in different countries. I also use the voice and video call features fairly regularly to stay in touch with people who live far away.
I probably use it multiple times a day, if I am honest, checking messages or replying to group conversations throughout the day, whether during a short break at work or in the evening when I have more time to properly catch up.
The reason I find it so useful comes down to how effortlessly it keeps me connected to people, regardless of distance or time zones. My family group chat, in particular, has genuinely strengthened our relationships, since we now share small everyday moments, like photos or quick updates, rather than only speaking during occasional scheduled calls.
Unlike some other social media platforms, which can sometimes feel like performing for an audience, WhatsApp feels more private and genuine, closer to how actual conversations happen, just through text or a call rather than in person. That's probably why, out of every app on my phone, it is the one I would genuinely struggle to live without.
Part 3 Discussion
Deeper, more abstract questions. Give your opinion and explain your reasoning with an example.
1. What are the positive and negative effects of social media on society?
On the positive side, it has made communication and access to information far easier, and given people a platform to build communities around shared interests. On the negative side, it has been linked to increased anxiety, misinformation, and a decline in the depth of real-world social interaction for many people.
2. Do you think social media has changed the way young people communicate?
Significantly, yes. Communication has become faster and more visual, relying heavily on images, short videos, and abbreviated text, which has arguably made some young people less accustomed to longer, more in-depth face-to-face conversations.
3. Should there be an age limit for using social media?
I think some form of age restriction makes sense, given documented concerns around mental health and online safety for younger users. That said, enforcement is genuinely difficult in practice, so I think parental guidance and digital literacy education matter just as much as any formal age limit.
4. How does social media influence the way people view themselves?
It can significantly affect self-image, since people are constantly exposed to carefully curated, often unrealistic portrayals of other people's lives and appearances. This frequently leads to unhealthy comparison, particularly among younger, more impressionable users.
5. Do you think social media companies should be more responsible for the content shared on their platforms?
Yes, I believe so, particularly regarding harmful content like misinformation or material that promotes self-harm. That said, balancing responsible moderation with genuine freedom of expression is a genuinely difficult and ongoing challenge for these companies.
6. Will social media continue to play as big a role in people's lives in the future?
I suspect it will, though the specific platforms and formats will likely continue evolving, much as they already have over the past decade. Given how deeply integrated it has become into communication, entertainment, and even commerce, it seems unlikely to meaningfully decline any time soon.
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