Lesson 4: Is Social Media Good or Bad?

Why does Octavia Sykes think that social media affects body image?

• because teens are comparing themselves to everyone's best images

• because teens are obsessed with showing pictures of themselves to their friends

• because teens are changing to be more like the images they see on social media

• because teens are not aware of photo editing that is done to make images perfect

Which sentence from the introduction [paragraphs 1-3] BEST introduces positive aspects of social media to the reader?

• They post about their lives which, to others, may seem almost perfect.

• In real life, however, things might not be so perfect.

• Among social media's benefits is that it allows teenagers to connect all over the world.

• Still, the hours spent on Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites also could be
  harmful, experts say.

Read the following selection from the section "Teens Losing Their Connection With People."

Parker said social media can keep teenagers away from family time. They might have fewer reallife conversations. "Kids should connect with people, not so much the machines, not so much Twitter," she said. She thinks later "it will just make them become more distant, in terms of talking to someone."

How does this selection support the authors' MAIN point that social media can sometimes be harmful?

• It shows that people do not control their social media use.

• It shows that social media can negatively affect relationships.

• It shows that people are using social media more than before.

• It shows that social media can make people forget how to talk.

Which of the following pieces of evidence is MOST relevant to the authors' argument that social media can be positive?

• Seventy-five percent of teenagers in America today are on social media sites, says Common Sense
  Media, a nonprofit organization.

• Leslie Parker, a life coach in Baltimore, Maryland, said there are some positive aspects to social media.

• While adults may think teens spend too much time on these sites, it can be good, said Baltimore
  therapist Kate Gerwin.

• They can access health information, develop social connections and use it when doing their
  school work.

The authors suggest that there are ways to use social media as a positive tool.

Which selection shows that the authors acknowledge a limitation to their claim?

• Studies show links between an overuse of social media and health problems.

• However, teachers and psychologists don't think teenagers need to unplug completely.

• She said she uses Snapchat and Twitter to communicate with friends and know what they are doing.

• A report by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that some aspects of social media can be good for adolescents.