Quiz | Social Media Networks: IELTS Reading Strategy
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
SOCIAL MEDIA: CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING?
In recent years, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, transforming how we communicate, share information, and maintain relationships. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook offer unprecedented convenience in connecting with others across vast distances, allowing people to maintain relationships that might otherwise fade due to geographical limitations. However, as these digital connections proliferate, researchers have begun questioning whether our increasing reliance on virtual interactions might paradoxically be reducing the quality of our real-world relationships and face-to-face communication skills.
Studies conducted at Oxford University suggest that while social media provides more opportunities for interaction, the depth of these interactions often suffers. According to Dr. Emma Reynolds, who led the research, “Online conversations frequently lack the nuance, emotional resonance, and interpersonal cues that make face-to-face communication so valuable to human social development.” Her team found that individuals who spent more than four hours daily on social platforms reported feeling more connected but, when assessed objectively, demonstrated diminished abilities in reading facial expressions and maintaining extended in-person conversations.
The workplace represents another arena where social media’s influence manifests in complex ways. Many companies have embraced internal social platforms to facilitate collaboration and information sharing among employees, particularly those working remotely or across different offices. These digital tools can democratize communication, allowing ideas to flow more freely across hierarchical boundaries. However, some organizations have found it necessary to implement policies limiting social media usage during work hours after noticing productivity declines. According to a 2023 study by the Workplace Productivity Institute, employees check personal social media accounts an average of 14 times during a typical workday, with each interruption requiring approximately 23 minutes to regain complete focus on the task at hand.
Perhaps most concerning are the findings related to younger generations who have grown up immersed in social media culture. Research from Cambridge University indicates that teenagers who use social media platforms for more than three hours daily show marked differences in their approach to conflict resolution, often preferring to address disagreements through text rather than conversation. Dr. James Norton, who specializes in adolescent development, notes that “the ability to edit, delete, and carefully craft messages on social media removes the necessary discomfort that builds resilience and authentic communication skills.” His longitudinal studies suggest that excessive reliance on social media communication during formative years may result in adults who struggle with the spontaneity and vulnerability required for deeper relationships.
Nevertheless, it would be simplistic to characterize social media as entirely detrimental. These platforms have democratized information access, created support communities for individuals with rare conditions or niche interests, and enabled movements for social change that might otherwise have remained localized. The key appears to be mindful usage. Psychologists increasingly recommend establishing boundaries around social media consumption—setting aside device-free times for family interaction, practicing focused attention during face-to-face conversations, and regularly evaluating whether digital connections are enhancing or detracting from overall well-being.
The future relationship between social media and human connection will likely depend on our ability to integrate these technologies thoughtfully into our lives, recognizing both their capabilities and limitations. As Dr. Reynolds concludes, “Social media platforms are neither inherently good nor bad—they are tools whose impact depends entirely on how we choose to use them.” Finding that balance remains one of the central challenges of our increasingly digital world.