Vocabulary
What does the word “catapulted” mean in the sentence “MySpace catapulted social networking into the mainstream”?
Answer: It means MySpace suddenly and powerfully made social networking very popular or well known.
What was the main way people communicated before social networking sites?
Answer: They used emails, chatrooms, and instant messaging programs like MSN Messenger.
Do you think social media helps people stay connected? Why or why not?
Answer: (Open-ended — students give personal opinions with reasons.)
What was communication like in the 1990s before smartphones?
Answer: People used landline phones, letters, and early internet chatrooms or emails.
Social media makes friendships stronger.” Do you agree or disagree?
Answer: (Open-ended — students should explain their stance.)
What does “conception” mean in the phrase “since the conception of the internet”?
Answer: It means the beginning or creation of something — in this case, the internet.
What role did mobile phones play in the rise of social media?
Answer: Mobile phones allowed people to access social media anywhere and anytime, making it part of daily life.
Do you prefer talking to friends face-to-face or through apps? Why?
Answer: (Open-ended — encourage comparisons and justification.)
Imagine it’s 2010. What social media apps were popular then?
Answer: Facebook, early Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube were popular.
Should schools limit students’ use of phones during the day? Why or why not?
Answer: (Open-ended — encourage balanced answers.)
Explain what “innovators” means in the context of early internet communication.
Answer: Innovators are people who create or introduce new ideas or technologies. In this context, they were the first to explore online communication.
According to the text, what made MySpace special compared to earlier communication platforms?
Answer: MySpace allowed people to build profiles and connect with friends in a more public and creative way.
What are two good things and two bad things about social media?
Answer: (Expected answers may include: Good – staying in touch, learning new things; Bad – distraction, cyberbullying.)
Predict how social media might change in the next 10 years.
Answer: (Open-ended — students can imagine new platforms, more virtual interaction)
Social media helps people express themselves.” Defend or challenge this idea.
Answer: (Open-ended — examples from real life or personal experience.)
What does “dimension” mean in the phrase “added a new dimension to communication”?
Answer: It means a new aspect or feature that changed how people communicate — like video chat or real-time messages.
When did Facebook and Twitter launch, according to the text?
Answer: Facebook launched in 2004, and Twitter launched in 2006.
Should children under 13 be allowed to use social media? Why or why not?
Answer: (Open-ended — encourage balanced arguments.)
If social media disappeared tomorrow, how would your life change?
Answer: (Open-ended — discuss impacts on communication, news, school, and entertainment.)
Should teens be required to take a social media safety course?
Answer: (Open-ended — discuss benefits and risks.)
What does the phrase “technologically versatile” mean when describing the younger generation?
Answer: It means they are skilled at using many types of technology easily and effectively.
How has social networking changed communication styles, based on the reading?
Answer: It made communication faster, more visual, and more constant, allowing people to share ideas instantly with a large audience.
Do you think people are too dependent on social media? Explain your answer.
Answer: (Open-ended — students reflect critically on daily usage.)
Pretend you’re living in 1995. Write a one-sentence message to a friend without using any modern technology.
Answer: Example: “Hi! I’ll call you on the landline tonight at 8.”
Facebook is outdated.” Do you agree or disagree? Explain why.
Answer: (Open-ended — reflect on which platforms are popular and why.)