A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD FOR YOUNG MINDS Social media has become an inseparable part of teenage life, with up to 95% of adolescents aged 13–17 u...

A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD FOR YOUNG MINDS

Social media has become an inseparable part of teenage life, with up to 95% of adolescents aged 13–17 using at least one platform, (18) __________. Many check their accounts daily, and some scroll almost constantly. While social media offers opportunities for communication, creativity, and self-expression, increasing evidence suggests it may negatively affect the mental health of young people.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, social media cannot yet be considered entirely safe for children and adolescents. Teenagers who spend more than three hours per day online face twice the risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. (19) __________. Excessive use also disrupts sleep patterns, exposes teens to cyberbullying and harmful content, and (20) __________, often leading to low self-esteem.

Despite these risks, social media is not entirely harmful. It helps young people maintain friendships, find supportive communities, and express their identities. Marginalized youth, including racial minorities and LGBTQ+ individuals, often discover acceptance and encouragement online, (21) __________. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media played a crucial role in keeping isolated teenagers connected.

Ultimately, the impact of social media depends on how it is managed. Whether society can strike a balance between digital freedom and effective protection (22) __________. Technology companies must improve safety measures, parents should guide responsible use, and policymakers need stronger regulations to protect young users. By promoting healthy boundaries and digital awareness, society can ensure that social media supports rather than harms the wellbeing of the younger generation.

[Adapted from US Surgeon General's Advisory]

Question 18:

A. many of them are engaging with multiple applications simultaneously

B. and many engage with multiple applications that are simultaneously

C. many of whom engage with multiple applications simultaneously

D. many of whose engagements with multiple applications happen simultaneously

Question 19:

A. Nearly half of adolescents report feeling worse about their body image because of social media

B. Nearly half of adolescents report to feel worse about their body image because of social media

C. Nearly half of adolescents are reported to feel worse about their body image because of social media

D. Nearly half of adolescents report that feeling worse about their body image is because of social media

Question 20:

A. the encouragement of unhealthy comparisons with online images which are carefully curated

B. online images which are carefully curated to encourage unhealthy comparisons itself

C. which encourages unhealthy comparisons with online images being carefully curated

D. encourages unhealthy comparisons with carefully curated online images

Question 21: 

A. whereby digital spaces function as environments in which they can explore and affirm their identities

B. for digital spaces to function as environments where their identities are explored and affirmed

C. in which digital spaces function as environments that allow them to explore and affirm their identities

D. with digital spaces function as environments in which they explore and affirm their identities

Question 22 [VVIP]:

A. that determine its long-term influence on future generations

B. and its long-term influence on future generations will be determinined

C. will determine its long-term influence on future generations

D. determines its long-term influence on future generations