Social Media Addiction

Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on June 20, 2019 and last updated on May 28, 2023

The topic of social media addiction is an excellent conversation topic for English learners as it provides a relevant and engaging subject for discussion while allowing them to improve their language skills.

Exploring this topic allows learners to expand their vocabulary, practice expressing opinions and develop critical thinking abilities. They can discuss the impact of excessive social media use on mental health, relationships and productivity. By engaging in conversations about social media addiction, English learners can enhance their fluency, broaden their cultural understanding and gain valuable skills for expressing themselves effectively in English.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

About Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction is a big problem these days. People spend too much time on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, neglecting real-life interactions.

The constant scrolling, notifications, and pressure to show off online can be overwhelming. It’s bad for mental health, productivity, and relationships. We need to be aware of this and use social media in moderation. It’s important to find a balance and not let it take over our lives.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • network (noun)
  • addiction (noun)
  • addicted (adjective)
  • platform (noun)
  • responsibility (noun)
  • responsible (verb)
  • overly (adverb)

Conversation Questions

My Image
  • Is social media like a drug?
  • Do you use social media? If yes, what? If not, why not?
  • What are the different ways people can use social media?
  • Do you think you or other people are addicted to social media?
  • What kind of problems can come up by being addicted to social media?
  • Do you think social media companies have a responsibility to ensure their product is not being overly used?
  • What can be done to reduce the amount of time people spend on social media?
  • Many countries now force health warnings on cigarette packets, do you think the same should apply to social media networks?
  • Should schools educate students about the risks and consequences of social media addiction?
  • Does social media addiction affect young people more than adults? Why or why not?
  • Can social media addiction be compared to other forms of addiction, such as substance abuse?
  • Should there be age restrictions for accessing social media platforms to prevent addiction among young users?
  • If you had to go without using social media for a week, how do you think it would affect your daily life?
  • Is social media addiction a global phenomenon or does it vary from culture to culture?
  • If you could design a social media platform, what features would you include to promote healthier usage habits?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.