Social media and teenage health ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

This BBC Learning English episode of 'Six Minute English' explores the impact of social media on teenagers' mental health. It discusses the addictive nature of platforms like Snapchat and TikTok, with insights from Professor Devi Sridhar on how algorithms feed users content in a potentially harmful way. The show also addresses the role of parents in navigating these challenges, highlighting the importance of regulation and the responsibility placed on adults to find solutions. The episode ends with a surprising statistic about Snapchat usage among young adults.

Takeaways

• 📱 Social media apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Threads are widely used and can lead to increased screen time.
• 🧠 Studies suggest that social media use can have negative effects on mental health, being as addictive as gambling.
• 👨‍⚕️ Research in the US indicates that adolescents spending over three hours daily on social media double their risk of depression and anxiety.
• 📊 64% of teens reported regular exposure to hate-based content on social media, affecting their mental well-being.
• 🏛️ The US is in the process of regulating social media apps for teenagers, with some experts suggesting the UK should follow suit.
• 🔍 Algorithms on social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged by feeding them addictive content based on their preferences.
• 💰 Social media platforms' revenue model, which relies on advertising, may prioritize profits over user mental health.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents are increasingly concerned about their teenagers' social media use and are seeking ways to manage it.
• 🤔 The responsibility to help teenagers navigate social media falls on parents, who face the challenge of balancing online safety with their children's social lives.
• 📈 Snapchat is particularly popular among young people, with 90% of thirteen to twenty-four-year-olds using the app.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the Six Minute English from BBC Learning English?

The main topic discussed is the impact of social media on teenagers' mental health and the potential addiction to it.

Which social media platforms are mentioned in the script?

The platforms mentioned are Snapchat, TikTok, and Threads.

What is the connection between social media use and mental health as discussed in the script?

The script suggests that excessive social media use can lead to an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety in adolescents.

What is the term used to describe someone aged ten to nineteen?

The term used to describe someone aged ten to nineteen is 'adolescent'.

What percentage of thirteen to twenty-four-year-olds use Snapchat according to the script?

According to the script, 90% of thirteen to twenty-four-year-olds use Snapchat.

What does the term 'fed content' refer to in the context of social media?

In the context of social media, 'fed content' refers to content that is automatically offered to users by the platform's algorithms based on their previous interactions.

What is the role of algorithms in social media platforms as discussed in the script?

Algorithms are used by social media platforms to prioritize and personalize the content a user sees, aiming to keep users engaged on the platform for as long as possible to increase advertising revenue.

What is the term used to describe the money a company earns?

The term used to describe the money a company earns is 'revenue'.

What does the term 'onus' mean in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'onus' refers to the responsibility or duty placed on parents to find solutions for their teenagers' social media addiction.

What is the significance of the term 'losing battle' in the discussion about teenagers and social media?

The term 'losing battle' signifies the struggle parents face when trying to regulate their teenagers' social media use, as it is often an uphill task due to the integral role social networks play in teenagers' lives.

What is the role of advertising in the context of social media platforms' revenue?

Advertising is a significant source of revenue for social media platforms, as they are paid by other companies to promote their products on their platforms.