Summarize what the text says about the negative impact of social media on young people.

Analyze how the urgency of the problem is conveyed in the text. Focus on communicative strategies and use of language.

Choose one of the following tasks.

3.1

After having read the article, you want to use your blog to help your followers all around the world deal with the risks of social media.

Write a blog entry in which you assess different ways for individuals to avoid negative effects of social media.

or

3.2

Considering the message of the cartoon, discuss the pros and cons of streaming services (e. g. Netflix) for consumers.

Roberto Booth's article “Social Media is Like Driving with No Speed Limits,” published in The Guardian on 20 March 2024, reports on U.S. surgeon general Dr Vivek Murthy’s warning about the negative effects of social media on young people’s well-being.

Murthy observes that many students hardly talk to one another anymore, as most of their time is spent online. This lack of real-life communication replaces activities such as sports, volunteering, or clubs and leads to increasing loneliness. He links this social disconnection to physical and mental health problems, such as higher risks of heart disease, stroke, and dementia. According to Murthy, the main reason for these developments is the excessive use of social media and the addictive features of the platforms, such as “likes,” “comments,” and “infinite scroll.” These mechanisms make young users stay online for hours, lower their self-esteem, and reduce the time left for sleep or other activities. He also criticizes that governments and tech companies have failed to provide safety measures or regulations to protect young people. Murthy calls for immediate action, including the introduction of stricter rules for social media and the redesign of public spaces and housing to encourage more personal interaction. He warns that without quick intervention, the physical and emotional health of the young generation will continue to decline.

In “Social Media is Like Driving with No Speed Limits,” Roberto Booth conveys the urgency of Dr Vivek Murthy’s message that governments and social-media companies must act quickly to protect young people from the harmful effects of social media. Booth achieves this by using several communicative strategies and a strong, emotional use of language.

The author builds the article entirely around Dr Murthy’s viewpoint, quoting him directly and indirectly throughout. This gives the text authority and focuses readers’ attention on Murthy’s warning. Murthy's personal observation adds credibility and emotional impact: he describes visiting college campuses where students “were plugged into earphones and gazing into laptops and phones” (ll. 3-4) instead of talking. The silence he witnessed serves as a symbol of how real social interaction is disappearing. To support these impressions, the article integrates scientific data. For instance, Murthy reports a “70 % decrease in the amount of in-person time young people … spent with their friends” (ll. 35-36) and a “29 % increase in the risk of heart disease” (ll. 18-19). Combining personal experience with hard numbers underlines both the reliability of his findings and the seriousness of the issue. The urgency is further intensified through Murthy’s repeated use of words with negative connotations: “extraordinary harms” (l. 16), “profound risk of harm” (ll. 22-23), and “addictive” (l. 42). Such vocabulary creates a dramatic, almost alarming tone. Repetition of phrases expressing worry — “worried” (l. 1), “a worry” (l. 14), “I worry” (l. 60) — shows his deep personal concern and appeals emotionally to the reader. Powerful comparisons and metaphors make the danger vivid. Murthy likens social-media use to “having children in cars that have no safety features and driving on roads with no speed limits” (l. 29-30), an image that highlights chaos and danger. Later he compares the situation to “a doctor being allowed to run a hospital where floors are so slippery that people fall and break their hips” (ll. 55-56), showing the irresponsibility of leaving the problem unsolved. Expressions such as “explosion of social media use” (l. 15) and the call for “mandatory guardrails” (l. 45) strengthen the impression of an out-of-control system that needs urgent regulation. Inclusive language involving “we” and “our” broadens responsibility: “our kids’ childhoods are happening right now” (l. 60). This creates a shared sense of duty and connects the reader emotionally to the issue. Murthy also uses anaphora — “Think about policies that … separate us … Think about the power of policy … to bring people back together” (ll. 50-53) — to engage the reader’s imagination and encourage action. Overall, the combination of expert authority, emotional language, and vivid imagery makes the article highly persuasive. Booth successfully conveys Murthy’s sense of urgency, convincing readers that the risks of social media require immediate and collective response.

3.1

How to Stay Sane in a Hyper-Connected World

Hey everyone,

Let’s be honest — social media is part of our everyday life. We use it to chat, share photos, and keep up with what’s happening. But spending hours online can leave us tired, insecure, or even lonely. If you’ve ever closed an app and wondered where your evening went, this post is for you. Here are a few ideas that can help you enjoy the good sides of social media without falling into its traps.

1. Set limits on screen time

Decide on clear times for checking your apps — maybe once in the morning and once in the evening — and stick to them. Use tracking tools to remind you when it’s time to stop scrolling. You’ll be surprised how much extra time you suddenly have.

2. Keep your phone away during meals or meet-ups

When you’re having dinner or talking with friends, put your phone out of sight. Real conversations are worth more than any post or notification.

3. Don’t chase the “like” button

Likes feel good, but they shouldn’t define your self-worth. Post what you enjoy, not what you think will get the most attention. Remember: social media highlights moments, not entire lives.

4. Block negativity

If someone keeps sending rude or offensive comments, don’t hesitate to mute or block them. And avoid getting dragged into endless online arguments — they rarely end well. Follow pages that make you laugh, inspire you, or teach you something new instead.

5. Watch out for fake news

Before you share something shocking, check if it comes from a reliable source. Being smart online means not believing everything you see.

6. Stay connected — offline

Go outside, meet friends, play sports, or volunteer. Real smiles and real laughter will always beat emojis.

At the end of the day, social media is just a tool that should not dictate your life. Use it wisely, take breaks, and remember that the best moments usually happen away from the screen.

3.2

The cartoon consists of two panels showing a man sitting on his sofa in front of the television. In the first panel, the TV reports serious news about the economy: “record-high gas prices,” “hydro rates skyrocket,” and “government waste costs billions.” The man does not react at all; he is half asleep and completely indifferent. In the second panel, however, the TV announces that “Netflix [is] going up 2 bucks.” Suddenly the man is wide awake, shouting, “WHAT?!”

The cartoonist humorously illustrates how many people care more about entertainment and personal comfort than about important political or economic issues. It shows that for many consumers, the cost of streaming services has become more relevant than the problems affecting society as a whole.

This idea reflects the enormous role streaming services play in people’s lives today. One of the main advantages of streaming platforms is their convenience. Viewers can access thousands of films and series anytime, anywhere — all that is needed is a device and an internet connection. Unlike traditional TV, there is no fixed schedule; users decide what and when to watch. Moreover, streaming services offer a wide range of genres and international productions, giving viewers more choice than ever before. Another positive aspect is the absence of advertising. Watching a movie without interruptions creates a more immersive experience. Additionally, streaming platforms have introduced new and creative forms of storytelling. Many original shows explore complex characters and social issues in ways that traditional television often avoided, appealing to a wide and diverse audience.

However, there are also several disadvantages. First, a stable and fast internet connection is necessary. Without it, streaming becomes frustrating or even impossible. Furthermore, users must pay a monthly fee, and since not every show is available on every platform, some people subscribe to multiple services — which can quickly become expensive. The huge variety of content can also be overwhelming. Having to many options to choose from may lead to indecision or wasted time browsing rather than watching. Another serious issue is the trend of binge-watching: spending hours watching one episode after another. This habit can be unhealthy, leading to lack of sleep, reduced productivity, and social isolation.

In conclusion, streaming services offer comfort, variety, and quality entertainment, but they also encourage overuse and can make people overly dependent on digital leisure. As the cartoon suggests, it is easy to forget the real world while focusing on entertainment. Therefore, consumers should manage their screen time carefully, choose shows wisely, and not let streaming replace real-life experiences.