Social media and teenage health ⏲️ 6 Minute English

What are the risks of social media to teenage health and what can be done about them? Beth and Neil discuss this and teach you some useful English vocabulary. 👇👇👇

❓❓❓ This week's question: What percentage of 13 to 24-year-olds use Snapchat?
a) 70%
b) 80%
c) 90%

[Cover: Getty Images]
You can download audio and a free programme transcript here 👉

Vocabulary:
✔️adolescent - a person aged 10 to 19: between childhood and adulthood
✔️fed - given content by a social media platform
✔️algorithms - a complex set of rules and calculations that prioritise and personalise online content
✔️revenue - the money a company earns, which could come from sales or advertising
✔️onus - responsibility or duty
✔️a losing battle - a fight you cannot win

More 6 Minute English episodes:

We like receiving and reading your comments - please use English when you comment 😊

#learnenglish #bbclearningenglish #mentalhealth

[uigyibu]

I almost don't use social media. I delete apps such as Instagram Facebook and tiktok. I only have telegram for chating with friends(not so often) and youtube for entertaiment or education. I decided to limit the usage of smartphone for having more time on things that are really important. It lasts for 2 months. And yes My life is becoming better, because I can spend time with my family, read book and do all of my homework during 1 day😊

[trangdieu.c]

VOCABULARY FROM VIDEO Social media and teenage health ⏲ 6 Minute English
1. Adult = grown-up : a person or animal that has grown to full size and strength
2. Chronic = long-lasting: (especially of a disease or something bad) continuing for a long time
3. Adolescents : a young person who is developing into an adult
4. Entire: complete or full :not lacking or leaving out any part
5. Adolescent : a person aged 10 to 19: between childhood and adulthood
6. Fed - given content by a social media platform
7. Algorithms - a complex set of rules and calculations that prioritise and personalise online content
8. Revenue - the money a company earns, which could come from sales or advertising
9. Onus - responsibility or duty
10. A losing battle - a fight you cannot win
VIETNAM 25/11/2023
ALL THE BEST FOR YOU

[soliha]

I am 18 and i dont have my own smartphone and I think life is superior without smartphone and social media

[theotherway]

I went a month without using social media and it was awesome. I had so much clarity and less anxiety at the end. I used a mindfulness book called 30 Days Without Social Media by Harper Daniels. Everybody should do this, it was like a detox for my mind.

[BriantheBrick]

Adolescents are being fed content addictively by the algorithms on social media platforms. Social media platforms do this because their revenue comes from advertising. The longer people stay there, the more ads they see, and the more the platforms earn. As a result, it is the teenagers' parents' onus to help them fight the addiction. However, it's a losing battle, since teenagers spend a long time on social media.

[amalpereralk]

I learnt nearly all my English from BBC news and BBC Learning English. A big thank you for all the creative content you produce.

[vuonbinhyen]

Thanks a lot, BBC team. Your videos are always my priority to start a studying day.❤

[alainthery]

I appreciate this potcast to improve my English, 🙂

[jquodcw]

Thank you so much for your kind information about the scenario. Actually, it's a relevant topic.

[btskosb]

It is very good that you talk about different issues

[MagicEnglishland]

Thank you so much! I learned lots of useful vocabulary and phrases from this ❤ Always a big fan of BBC learning English 😊

[nati_natalijka]

A big thank you for your addictive content! I am learning today a new word - onus which means a responsibility or duty put on somebody for example parent. Thank you again!

[Ch-wg]

Outstanding....❤
Thnx alot BBC learning english ✨

[trueland]

I used to be addicted social media using. Now, I am trying to avoid too much hour using and only use for my language improvement such as Youtube to learn english. After knowing that social media using can affect on someone's mental health and chronic, I always remind me to not using too much hours. During these days, I hit the books instead of using my phone. You should not miss the boat because of addiction of social media using . Be careful your health!

[weeedabdu]

Well done bbc team, it's really fruitful class, thank so much for.

[drsonradiologist]

thanks a lot for your useful video. It gives me many new words which could be used in my daily speaking and also on the IELTS test.

[lilyrose]

It's a great video !
Actually here in morocco a lot of teens are addicted to social media, I think that we must find a way to stop this addiction .

[Seoul]

Thank you, BBC Learning English, for this insightful video. It sheds light on the impact of social media on teenagers' mental health, discussing addiction, algorithms, and the challenges parents face. The content caters to English learners seeking to understand the complexities of social media in today's youth culture.
For English Learner, here are my notes & lessons:
The video explores the addictive nature of social media, particularly its impact on teenagers' mental health. It delves into the role of algorithms in content delivery, highlighting concerns about the prioritization of revenue over users' well-being. Professor Devi Sridhar emphasizes the challenges parents face in navigating their teenagers' social media use, acknowledging the onus placed on parents to find solutions.

Vocabulary breakdown:

0. Addictive (adjective) 03:08
-Context: 'The content is addictive because social media uses algorithms.'
-Explanation: Something addictive causes a strong desire or compulsion to continue engaging with it, as discussed in the video regarding social media content.

1. Algorithms (noun) 03:13
-Context: 'The content is addictive because social media uses algorithms.'
-Explanation: Algorithms are a complex set of rules and calculations that determine and personalize the content a user sees on social media platforms, influencing user engagement.

2. Revenue (noun) 03:29
-Context: 'Social media platforms use algorithms to keep users for as long as possible because their revenue comes from advertising.'
-Explanation: Revenue refers to the money a company earns, in this case, generated through advertising on social media platforms.

3. Onus (noun) 04:26
-Context: 'The onus has been put on parents to find solutions.'
-Explanation: Onus means responsibility or duty, and in the video, it refers to the burden placed on parents to address the challenges of teenagers addicted to social media.

4. Losing Battle (noun phrase) 04:41
-Context: 'Even if this is a losing battle, a fight they cannot win as teenagers have their entire life on social networks.'
-Explanation: A losing battle is a situation or conflict that is difficult or impossible to win, as discussed in the context of parents addressing teenagers' social media use.

[Haftom-psych]

Mega Thanks bbc learning English ur program is helpful to me,

[LeandroDDavid]

I have been avoiding the uses of social media in my everyday life. I could notice improvements in my capacity
of thinking and articulating my ideas.