The Reading / Listening - Social Media - Level 3

Social media has changed the world. There are good and bad things about it. One bad thing is that it can cause mental health problems. This is something the USA's top doctor wants to address. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants social media companies to display mental health warnings on their platforms. He is particularly worried about the harm the platforms do to young people. He said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual and violent content. Dr Murthy said: "It is time to require a surgeon general's warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents." He said laws were also needed to keep young people safe online.

Dr Murthy has campaigned for tighter controls of social media for many years. In 2023, he warned that social media presented, "a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents". His recent warning is in a guest essay published by The New York Times. He wrote: "The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency. Social media has emerged as an important contributor." He has concerns about how long young people spend online. He said youngsters "who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms". Murthy thinks online warnings will help, just as warnings on cigarettes have helped.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Social Media - Level 0,  Social Media - Level 1   or  Social Media - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/us-surgeon-general-calls-social-media-platforms-display-mental-health-warnings
  • https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/17/24180005/surgeon-general-warning-labels-social-media-mental-health
  • https://apnews.com/article/surgeon-general-social-media-mental-health-df321c791493863001754401676f165c


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. SOCIAL MEDIA DANGERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about social media dangers. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       social media / bad things / mental health / warnings / harm / violent content / laws /
       controls / risk / children / emergency / concerns / online / depression / cigarettes
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. AGE LIMIT: Students A strongly believe people under the age of 16 should not be allowed to use social media; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SOCIAL MEDIA: How does social media affect these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good Things

Bad Things

Mental health

 

 

Physical health

 

 

Friendships

 

 

English

 

 

Education

 

 

Photos and music

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. WORLD: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "world". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. WARNINGS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things we most need warnings on at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Social media
  • Cigarettes
  • Alcohol
  • Fast food
  • Cars
  • Bank loans
  • Jet coasters
  • Smartphones

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. cause (verb) a. A website, usually a social media one, where people can write, say or upload things.
      2. address (verb) b. More than usually; especially.
      3. display (verb) c. To make something happen.
      4. platform d. Using force to hurt people or things.
      5. particularly e. To talk about something or to speak to someone.
      6. algorithm f. To show something so people can see it.
      7. violent g. A set of rules or steps to solve a problem, often used by computers.

    Paragraph 2

      8. campaigned h. A sign that you have an illness.
      9. profound i. Worked in an organized way to reach a goal, often in politics.
      10. adolescent j. Very deep or very great.
      11. crisis k. Someone who gives or adds something to a group, project or discussion.
      12. contributor l. A very difficult or dangerous situation.
      13. anxiety m. A young person who is not a child but not yet an adult, usually between 13 and 19 years old.
      14. symptom n. A feeling of worry or fear about what might happen.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says there are good and bad things about social media.     T / F
  2. The U.S. Surgeon General gave his address to a social media site.     T / F
  3. The Surgeon General said youngsters are changing algorithms.     T / F
  4. Dr Murthy said only warnings were necessary, not laws.     T / F
  5. Dr Murthy started campaigning for social media controls in 2023.     T / F
  6. Dr Murthy called mental health among youngsters and emergency.     T / F
  7. Youngsters who spend over three hours a day online risk depression.     T / F
  8. Dr Murthy also wants stronger warnings on cigarettes.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. cause
  2. display
  3. require
  4. associated
  5. safe
  6. tighter
  7. profound
  8. emerged
  9. anxiety
  10. warnings
  1. linked
  2. appeared
  3. stricter
  4. stress
  5. bring about
  6. great
  7. cautions
  8. need
  9. show
  10. secure

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. Social media has
  2. it can cause
  3. extreme sexual and
  4. associated with significant mental health
  5. keep young people
  6. a profound risk
  7. The mental health crisis among young
  8. how long young people
  9. face double the
  10. warnings on cigarettes
  1. risk of anxiety
  2. safe online
  3. have helped
  4. people is an emergency
  5. mental health problems
  6. spend online
  7. violent content
  8. harms for adolescents
  9. of harm
  10. changed the world

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
violent
things
label
safe
display
top
associated
harm

Social media has changed the world. There are good and bad (1) _____________________ about it. One bad thing is that it can cause mental health problems. This is something the USA's (2) _____________________ doctor wants to address. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants social media companies to (3) _____________________ mental health warnings on their platforms. He is particularly worried about the (4) _____________________ the platforms do to young people. He said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual and (5) _____________________ content. Dr Murthy said: "It is time to require a surgeon general's warning (6) _____________________ on social media platforms, stating that social media is (7) _____________________ with significant mental health harms for adolescents." He said laws were also needed to keep young people (8) _____________________ online.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
essay
depression
tighter
long
risk
cigarettes
emergency
day

Dr Murthy has campaigned for (9) _____________________ controls of social media for many years. In 2023, he warned that social media presented, "a profound (10) _____________________ of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents". His recent warning is in a guest (11) _____________________ published by The New York Times. He wrote: "The mental health crisis among young people is an (12) _____________________. Social media has emerged as an important contributor." He has concerns about how (13) _____________________ young people spend online. He said youngsters "who spend more than three hours a (14) _____________________ on social media face double the risk of anxiety and (15) _____________________ symptoms". Murthy thinks online warnings will help, just as warnings on (16) _____________________ have helped.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Social media has changed the world. There are good and bad ______
     a.  thing about it
     b.  things abet it
     c.  things abbot it
     d.  things about it
2)  One bad thing is that it can cause ______
     a.  mental healthy problems
     b.  mental health problems
     c.  mental healthful problems
     d.  mental health problem
3)  This is something the USA's top doctor ______
     a.  wants to redress
     b.  wants to address
     c.  wants to adhesive
     d.  wants to assess
4)  He said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual ______
     a.  and violence content
     b.  and violently content
     c.  and violent content
     d.  and violate content
5)  He said laws were also needed to keep young ______
     a.  people serf online
     b.  people safes online
     c.  people safety online
     d.  people safe online

6)  In 2023, he warned that social media presented, a profound ______
     a.  risky of harm
     b.  risk of harm
     c.  risked of harm
     d.  risks of harm
7)  His recent warning is in ______
     a.  a guest essay
     b.  a gust essay
     c.  a quest essay
     d.  a guessed essay
8)  Social media has emerged as ______
     a.  an importance contributor
     b.  an importantly contributor
     c.  an important contributor
     d.  unimportant contributor
9)  spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the ______
     a.  risk of anxiety
     b.  risk of anxious
     c.  risk off anxiety
     d.  risky of anxiety
10)  Murthy thinks online warnings will help, just as warnings on ______
     a.  cigarette have helped
     b.  cigarettes have help
     c.  cigarettes have helped
     d.  cigarettes have helps

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Social media has (1) ____________________. There are good and bad things about it. One bad thing is that it can cause mental health problems. This is something the USA's top doctor (2) ____________________. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants social media companies to display mental health warnings on their platforms. He (3) ____________________ about the harm the platforms do to young people. He said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual (4) ____________________. Dr Murthy said: "It is time to require a surgeon general's warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media (5) ____________________ significant mental health harms for adolescents." He said laws were also (6) ____________________ young people safe online.

Dr Murthy has campaigned (7) ____________________ of social media for many years. In 2023, he warned that social media presented, "a profound risk of harm to the mental health (8) ____________________ of children and adolescents". His recent warning is in a guest essay published by The New York Times. He wrote: "The mental (9) ____________________ young people is an emergency. Social media has emerged as an important contributor." He has concerns about (10) ____________________ people spend online. He said youngsters "who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the (11) ____________________ and depression symptoms". Murthy thinks online warnings will help, just as warnings (12) ____________________ helped.

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the article say social media has changed?
  2. Who is Vivek Murthy?
  3. What leads young people to watch sexual and violent material online?
  4. For whom is social media associated with significant mental health harm?
  5. What did Dr Murthy say was needed to keep young people safe online?
  6. For how long has Dr Murthy been campaigning for social media controls?
  7. What was published in The New York Times?
  8. What did Dr Murthy call the mental health crisis among young people?
  9. What can double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms?
  10. What other warnings did Dr Murthy say had been helpful?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say social media has changed?
a) the Internet
b) the world
c) language
d) safety
2) Who is Vivek Murthy?
a) a journalist
b) a social media boss
c) an adolescent
d) the U.S. Surgeon General
3) What leads young people to watch sexual and violent material online?
a) algorithms
b) posts
c) friends
d) emails
4) For whom is social media associated with significant mental health harm?
a) girls
b) boys
c) adolescents
d) under 10s
5) What did Dr Murthy say was needed to keep young people safe online?
a) more police
b) laws
c) more aware parents
d) an age limit

6) For how long has Dr Murthy been campaigning for social media controls?
a) many years
b) 12 years
c) a few months
d) decades
7) What was published in The New York Times?
a) an article
b) letters from adolescents
c) an essay by Dr Murthy
d) a letter from social media companies
8) What did Dr Murthy call the mental health crisis among young people?
a) an emergency / crisis
b) sad
c) a national disgrace
d) a global problem
9) What can double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms?
a) three hours a day on social media
b) cyberbullying
c) losing your smartphone
d) a lack of sleep
10) What other warnings did Dr Murthy say had been helpful?
a) warnings on processed food
b) warnings on alcohol
c) warnings on fast food
d) warnings on cigarettes

Role play

Role  A – Social Media
You think social media is the thing we most need warnings for. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as in need of warnings. Also, tell the others which is the thing we least need to be warned about (and why): cigarettes, fast food or jet coasters.

Role  B – Cigarettes
You think cigarettes is the thing we most need warnings for. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as in need of warnings. Also, tell the others which is the thing we least need to be warned about (and why): social media, fast food or jet coasters.

Role  C – Fast Food
You think fast food is the thing we most need warnings for. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as in need of warnings. Also, tell the others which is the thing we least need to be warned about (and why): cigarettes, social media or jet coasters.

Role  D – Jet Coasters
You think jet coasters is the thing we most need warnings for. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as in need of warnings. Also, tell the others which is the thing we least need to be warned about (and why): cigarettes, fast food or social media.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'social media'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'mental health'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • bad
    • address
    • display
    • algorithms
    • time
    • safe
    • many
    • risk
    • guest
    • long
    • three
    • cigarettes

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Social Media

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'social'?
    3. What do you think of social media?
    4. What are the good things about social media?
    5. How does social media affect mental health?
    6. Should there be health warnings on social media platforms?
    7. What do you know about algorithms on social media?
    8. Should people under 16 be allowed to use social media?
    9. What do you think of the social media platforms you use?
    10. What advice do you have for social media websites?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'media'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are the bad things about social media?
    5. What controls are needed on social media?
    6. Should social media platforms be fined for damaging mental health?
    7. What is the answer to the mental health emergency?
    8. How long online is too long?
    9. How big a problem are anxiety and depression?
    10. What questions would you like to ask social media bosses?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Social media has (1) ____ the world. There are good and bad things about it. One bad thing is that it can cause mental health problems. This is (2) ____ the USA's top doctor wants to address. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants social media companies to display mental health warnings (3) ____ their platforms. He is particularly worried about the harm the platforms do to young people. He said algorithms (4) ____ youngsters to extreme sexual and violent content. Dr Murthy said: "It is time to (5) ____ a surgeon general's warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents." He said laws were also needed to (6) ____ young people safe online.

    Dr Murthy has campaigned for (7) ____ controls of social media for many years. In 2023, he warned that social media presented, "a profound risk (8) ____ harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents". His recent warning is in a guest essay published by The New York Times. He wrote: "The mental health crisis (9) ____ young people is an emergency. Social media has emerged as an important contributor." He has concerns (10) ____ how long young people spend online. He said youngsters "who spend more than three hours a day on social media face (11) ____ the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms". Murthy thinks online warnings will help, just (12) ____ warnings on cigarettes have helped.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     charged     (b)     changing     (c)     charging     (d)     changed    
    2. (a)     thingy     (b)     things     (c)     thing     (d)     something    
    3. (a)     up     (b)     on     (c)     down     (d)     off    
    4. (a)     cause     (b)     result     (c)     lead     (d)     chase    
    5. (a)     require     (b)     necessary     (c)     needy     (d)     aid    
    6. (a)     keep     (b)     do     (c)     be     (d)     give    
    7. (a)     loosened     (b)     tighten     (c)     looser     (d)     tighter    
    8. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    9. (a)     up     (b)     among     (c)     at     (d)     as    
    10. (a)     as     (b)     on     (c)     about     (d)     to    
    11. (a)     two     (b)     duo     (c)     double     (d)     twin    
    12. (a)     was     (b)     as     (c)     is     (d)     has

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. it can sacue mental health problems
    2. something the USA's top doctor wants to rdseads
    3. alidysp mental health warnings
    4. He is alrliutrpacy worried
    5. logatimrhs lead youngsters
    6. extreme sexual and ventoli content

    Paragraph 2

    1. a oupnodfr risk of harm
    2. children and dcentleasso
    3. an nmegeeryc
    4. double the risk of xtyiane
    5. sdnropeies symptoms
    6. warnings on atetrcgsie

    Put the text back together

    (  1  ) Social media has changed the world. There are good and bad things about it. One bad thing is that it can cause
    (...)  "The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency. Social media has emerged as an important
    (...)  being of children and adolescents". His recent warning is in a guest essay published by The New York Times. He wrote:
    (...)  than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and
    (...)  platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for
    (...)  Dr Murthy has campaigned for tighter controls of social media for many years. In 2023,
    (...)  adolescents." He said laws were also needed to keep young people safe online.
    (...)  he warned that social media presented, "a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-
    (...)  media companies to display mental health warnings on their platforms. He is particularly
    (...)  contributor." He has concerns about how long young people spend online. He said youngsters "who spend more
    (...)  worried about the harm the platforms do to young people. He said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual
    (...)  mental health problems. This is something the USA's top doctor wants to address. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants social
    (...)  depression symptoms". Murthy thinks online warnings will help, just as warnings on cigarettes have helped.
    (...)  and violent content. Dr Murthy said: "It is time to require a surgeon general's warning label on social media

    Put the words in the right order

    1. There   about   good   it   .   are   things   bad   and
    2. wants   to   doctor   the   Something   top   USA's   address   .
    3. mental   health   platforms   .   Display   their   warnings   on
    4. do   young   to   harm   The   people   .   platforms   the
    5. Laws   young   keep   people   to   were   needed   safe   .
    6. warning   recent   a   guest   essay   .   is   in   His
    7. mental   people   .   The   young   crisis   health   among
    8. about   spend   how   young   long   online   .   Concerns   people
    9. than   day   .   hours   three   more   Spend   a
    10. depression   the   anxiety   Double   symptoms   .   of   and   risk

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Social media has changed / changing the world. There are good and bad things / thing about it. One bad thing is that it can cause mental health problems. This is thing / something the USA's top doctor wants to address / post. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants social media companies to display mental health warnings in / on their platforms. He is particular / particularly worried about the harm the platforms do to young people. He said algorithms lead youngsters to / for extreme sexual and violent content. Dr Murthy said: "It is time to necessary / require a surgeon general's warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated to / with significant mental health harms for adolescents." He said laws were also needed to keep young people safe / safety online.

    Dr Murthy has campaigned for tighter controls of social media for most / many years. In 2023, he warned that social media presented / gifted, "a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being / being of children and adolescents". His recent warning is in a gust / guest essay published by The New York Times. He wrote: "The mental health crisis among young people is an emergent / emergency. Social media has emerged / submerged as an important contributor." He has concerns about how long youngster / young people spend online. He said youngsters "who spend more than three hours a day on social media head / face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptom / symptoms". Murthy thinks online warnings will help, just has / as warnings on cigarettes have helped.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    s_c__l  m_d__  h_s  ch_ng_d  th_  w_rld.  th_r_  _r_  g__d  _nd  b_d  th_ngs  _b__t  _t.  _n_  b_d  th_ng  _s  th_t  _t  c_n  c__s_  m_nt_l  h__lth  pr_bl_ms.  th_s  _s  s_m_th_ng  th_  _s_'s  t_p  d_ct_r  w_nts  t_  _ddr_ss.  _.s.  s_rg__n  g_n_r_l  v_v_k  m_rthy  w_nts  s_c__l  m_d__  c_mp_n__s  t_  d_spl_y  m_nt_l  h__lth  w_rn_ngs  _n  th__r  pl_tf_rms.  h_  _s  p_rt_c_l_rly  w_rr__d  _b__t  th_  h_rm  th_  pl_tf_rms  d_  t_  y__ng  p__pl_.  h_  s__d  _lg_r_thms  l__d  y__ngst_rs  t_  _xtr_m_  s_x__l  _nd  v__l_nt  c_nt_nt.  dr  m_rthy  s__d:  "_t  _s  t_m_  t_  r_q__r_  _  s_rg__n  g_n_r_l's  w_rn_ng  l_b_l  _n  s_c__l  m_d__  pl_tf_rms,  st_t_ng  th_t  s_c__l  m_d__  _s  _ss_c__t_d  w_th  s_gn_f_c_nt  m_nt_l  h__lth  h_rms  f_r  _d_l_sc_nts."  h_  s__d  l_ws  w_r_  _ls_  n__d_d  t_  k__p  y__ng  p__pl_  s_f_  _nl_n_.

    dr  m_rthy  h_s  c_mp__gn_d  f_r  t_ght_r  c_ntr_ls  _f  s_c__l  m_d__  f_r  m_ny  y__rs.  _n  2023,  h_  w_rn_d  th_t  s_c__l  m_d__  pr_s_nt_d,  "_  pr_f__nd  r_sk  _f  h_rm  t_  th_  m_nt_l  h__lth  _nd  w_ll-b__ng  _f  ch_ldr_n  _nd  _d_l_sc_nts".  h_s  r_c_nt  w_rn_ng  _s  _n  _  g__st  _ss_y  p_bl_sh_d  by  th_  n_w  y_rk  t_m_s.  h_  wr_t_:  "th_  m_nt_l  h__lth  cr_s_s  _m_ng  y__ng  p__pl_  _s  _n  _m_rg_ncy.  s_c__l  m_d__  h_s  _m_rg_d  _s  _n  _mp_rt_nt  c_ntr_b_t_r."  h_  h_s  c_nc_rns  _b__t  h_w  l_ng  y__ng  p__pl_  sp_nd  _nl_n_.  h_  s__d  y__ngst_rs  "wh_  sp_nd  m_r_  th_n  thr__  h__rs  _  d_y  _n  s_c__l  m_d__  f_c_  d__bl_  th_  r_sk  _f  _nx__ty  _nd  d_pr_ss__n  sympt_ms".  m_rthy  th_nks  _nl_n_  w_rn_ngs  w_ll  h_lp,  j_st  _s  w_rn_ngs  _n  c_g_r_tt_s  h_v_  h_lp_d.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    social media has changed the world there are good and bad things about it one bad thing is that it can cause mental health problems this is something the usas top doctor wants to address us surgeon general vivek murthy wants social media companies to display mental health warnings on their platforms he is particularly worried about the harm the platforms do to young people he said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual and violent content dr murthy said it is time to require a surgeon generals warning label on social media platforms stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents he said laws were also needed to keep young people safe online

    dr murthy has campaigned for tighter controls of social media for many years in 2023 he warned that social media presented a profound risk of harm to the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents his recent warning is in a guest essay published by the new york times he wrote the mental health crisis among young people is an emergency social media has emerged as an important contributor he has concerns about how long young people spend online he said youngsters who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms murthy thinks online warnings will help just as warnings on cigarettes have helped

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Socialmediahaschangedtheworld.Therearegoodandbadthingsabout
    it.Onebadthingisthatitcancausementalhealthproblems.Thisissomet
    hingtheUSA'stopdoctorwantstoaddress.U.S.SurgeonGeneralVivek
    Murthywantssocialmediacompaniestodisplaymentalhealthwarnings
    ontheirplatforms.Heisparticularlyworriedabouttheharmtheplatform
    sdotoyoungpeople.Hesaidalgorithmsleadyoungsterstoextremesexu
    alandviolentcontent.DrMurthysaid:"Itistimetorequireasurgeongene
    ral'swarninglabelonsocialmediaplatforms,statingthatsocialmediais
    associatedwithsignificantmentalhealthharmsforadolescents."Hesai
    dlawswerealsoneededtokeepyoungpeoplesafeonline.DrMurthyhasc
    ampaignedfortightercontrolsofsocialmediaformanyyears.In2023,h
    ewarnedthatsocialmediapresented,"aprofoundriskofharmtothemen
    talhealthandwell-beingofchildrenandadolescents".Hisrecentwarnin
    gisinaguestessaypublishedbyTheNewYorkTimes.Hewrote:"Themen
    talhealthcrisisamongyoungpeopleisanemergency.Socialmediahase
    mergedasanimportantcontributor."Hehasconcernsabouthowlongyo
    ungpeoplespendonline.Hesendyoungsters"whospendmorethanthre
    ehoursadayonsocialmediafacedoubletheriskofanxietyanddepressio
    nsymptoms".Murthythinksonlinewarningswillhelp,justaswarningso
    ncigaretteshavehelped.

    Free writing

    Write about social media health warnings for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    No one under 16 years of age should be allowed to use social media. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. SOCIAL MEDIA DANGERS: Make a poster about social media dangers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. AGE LIMIT: Write a magazine article about you must be 16 or above to use social media. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on social media dangers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to keep young people safe online. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Back to the top

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You