STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): The Negative Impact of Social Media on Users
Examination Task
Social media can have a negative influence on its users. Look at the list below. Discuss the following problems and try to decide which one is the most and the least serious. Be ready to justify your choice.
- Unhealthy way of life
- Low self-esteem
- Cyber bullying
Sample Discussion
A: Social media surround us from all sides and can have a negative influence on its users. Let’s discuss their impact on people’s lives and decide which one is the most and the least serious. Shall we start with an unhealthy lifestyle?
B: Yes, that sounds like a good starting point. In my opinion, excessive use of social media has a negative impact on both physical and mental health. Many people tend to move their social lives into the virtual world instead of meeting others face to face, which can lead to difficulties in building real-life relationships.
A: That’s true. Although social media helps people stay in touch over long distances, it can also deepen social isolation. Users may feel lonely and disconnected, even when they are connected to many people online. Moreover, digital communication cannot fully replace deep, face-to-face interactions.
B: I agree. In addition, excessive use of social media reduces physical activity and promotes a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to obesity, vision problems, back problems, and poorer health.
A: Yes, and constant notifications and the need to check updates create a kind of stress loop. People feel they must always stay informed, which leads to anxiety and the fear of missing out. As a result, excessive use of social media is often linked to higher levels of stress, depression, and sleep disorders.
B: Exactly. Using smartphones before going to bed is particularly harmful. The blue light from screens and stimulating content delay sleep and reduce its quality. Some people even wake up at night to check their phones, which results in fatigue and poor concentration during the day.
A: Another problem is exposure to misleading or false health advice online. Young users, in particular, may struggle to assess the credibility of sources and can be influenced by harmful trends, diets, or substances.
B: That’s a very good point. Social media algorithms also reinforce certain behaviours by showing users similar content repeatedly. This can trap people in a negative cycle, where harmful or anxiety-inducing content becomes more and more dominant.
A: Taking everything into account, I believe that an unhealthy way of life is the most serious problem because it affects both physical and mental well-being in the long term. What do you think about low self-esteem?
B: I also think it is a very important issue. Social media often presents unrealistic images of beauty, success, and lifestyle. People constantly compare themselves to these idealised images, which can make them feel inadequate or dissatisfied with their own lives.
A: I agree. Daily exposure to edited photos and carefully selected moments from other people’s lives may lead to frustration and a sense of inferiority. In extreme cases, it can even contribute to eating disorders or depression.
B: Exactly. This is especially dangerous for young people, who are more vulnerable to peer pressure. In addition, social media often promotes material success, such as expensive cars or luxury items. When people cannot afford these things, they may feel less valuable.
A: That’s true. Low self-esteem can have long-term psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. However, I would still say it is less serious than the overall impact on lifestyle.
B: I agree. And what about cyberbullying?
A: Cyberbullying is also a serious issue. It can take many different forms, ranging from simple acts of malicious commenting to sending offensive messages, as well as harassment, ridicule, threats, or humiliation through digital platforms. It can be particularly harmful because it may happen at any time and reach a wide audience. Children and teenagers are the most vulnerable to cyberbullying, as they spend a significant amount of time online and are still developing emotionally and socially.
B: That’s right. The anonymity of the internet often makes people more aggressive, and harmful content can spread very quickly. Victims may feel helpless, especially when it is difficult to identify the offenders.
A: I agree. However, although cyberbullying can be very damaging, it does not affect as many people as the other two problems – it tends to affect specific individuals rather than entire groups.
B: Exactly. So, even though it is dangerous, I would consider it the least serious problem from the list.
A: I share your opinion. So, to sum up, we believe that an unhealthy way of life is the most serious issue, followed by low self-esteem, while cyberbullying is the least serious.
B: Yes, that’s our final decision.