FRIENDSHIP AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Questions

1. How has social media changed the way people make friends?

2. Do you think online friendships are as strong as real-life friendships?

3. Why do some people prefer to have many friends while others prefer just a few?

4. How important is trust in a friendship?

5. Do you think young people spend too much time on social media?

6. How can social media damage real friendships?

7. Do you think older people use social media differently from young people?

8. In the future, will technology make friendships stronger or weaker?

Q1: How has social media changed the way people make friends?

Band 7:
Social media has made it easier to connect with new people. You can make friends with someone from another country in seconds. People also stay in touch with old friends through platforms like Facebook or Instagram. However, these friendships are often less personal because people mostly chat online. In the past, making friends required face-to-face meetings, but now it is much faster and more global.

Band 8:
Social media has completely transformed the way people form and maintain friendships. In the past, friendships were limited to local communities, schools, or workplaces. Now, people can connect instantly with others from different cultures and backgrounds. This has made friendships more global and diverse. At the same time, social media allows people to maintain contact with friends they might otherwise lose touch with. However, these online connections can sometimes be superficial, as interactions are based on likes, comments, and short messages rather than meaningful conversations. Overall, social media has expanded opportunities but also changed the depth of friendships.

Q2: Do you think online friendships are as strong as real-life friendships?

Band 7:
In my opinion, online friendships are not always as strong. Real-life friends share experiences and meet each other in person, which creates deeper bonds. Online friends may be supportive, but the connection can feel weaker because you don’t really know how they are in daily life. Some online friendships become strong, but usually face-to-face friendships last longer.

Band 8:
I believe online friendships can be meaningful, but they are often not as strong as real-life ones. Physical presence creates unique experiences, such as spending time together, sharing meals, or supporting each other in person, which online platforms cannot fully replace. Of course, some people do build very deep online relationships, especially if they communicate regularly and honestly. However, without real-world interaction, there is always an element of uncertainty, as people may present themselves differently online. In most cases, face-to-face friendships are more reliable and long-lasting, while online connections are easier but sometimes less genuine.

Q3: Why do some people prefer to have many friends while others prefer just a few?

Band 7:
Some people enjoy having many friends because they are social and like meeting new people. They feel happy in large groups. Others prefer just a few friends because they want deeper connections. Having too many friends can be difficult to manage, so they focus on quality instead of quantity. It depends on personality.

Band 8:
The difference often comes down to personality and lifestyle. Extroverted people usually prefer having many friends, as they gain energy from socializing and enjoy being part of a large circle. On the other hand, introverted people may value a few close friends, because they prefer meaningful and personal conversations rather than casual ones. Another factor is time—maintaining many friendships can be challenging, so some people choose to invest deeply in a smaller number of relationships. Ultimately, whether someone prefers quantity or quality reflects their social needs and comfort level.

Q4: How important is trust in a friendship?

Band 7:
Trust is very important in any friendship. Without it, people cannot share their feelings openly. A friend should be someone you can rely on in good and bad times. If trust is broken, the friendship usually ends. So, trust is really the foundation of a strong friendship.

Band 8:
Trust is the foundation of any meaningful friendship. It allows people to share personal thoughts, seek support, and feel safe with one another. Without trust, even small misunderstandings can create distance. A trustworthy friend is someone who can be relied upon in both good times and bad. Once trust is broken, it is very difficult to rebuild, which is why many friendships end when betrayal occurs. In my view, trust is more important than shared interests, because it determines whether a friendship can truly last.

Q5: Do you think young people spend too much time on social media?

Band 7:
Yes, many young people spend too much time online. They use social media for chatting, watching videos, and following trends. This often takes time away from studying or exercising. Social media can be useful, but when it is used too much, it becomes a problem.

Band 8:
I think young people today do spend excessive time on social media. For many teenagers, checking platforms like TikTok or Instagram has become a daily habit that takes hours. While social media provides entertainment and helps them stay connected, it also reduces time for physical activities, real-life conversations, and academic focus. Overuse can even affect sleep and mental health. Social media is valuable when used in moderation, but too much of it creates unhealthy patterns among young people.

Q6: How can social media damage real friendships?

Band 7:
Social media can cause misunderstandings between friends. For example, someone might feel ignored if a message is not answered quickly. Jealousy can also happen when people see posts about other friends. Too much time online may also replace face-to-face meetings. This can make friendships weaker.

Band 8:
Social media can damage friendships in several ways. First, it often creates jealousy or insecurity, as people compare themselves to others’ posts and feel left out. Second, online communication can lead to misunderstandings, since text messages lack tone and body language. Another issue is that people sometimes spend so much time online that they neglect meeting friends in real life, which weakens bonds. Finally, arguments can escalate quickly on social platforms because comments are public and visible to others. These issues show that while social media can connect friends, it can also create distance and conflict if not used carefully.

Q7: Do you think older people use social media differently from young people?

Band 7:
Yes, older people usually use social media in a different way. They use it mainly to stay in touch with family and share news. Young people, on the other hand, use it for entertainment, chatting, and following celebrities. Older people are usually less active than the younger generation.

Band 8:
There is a clear difference in how older and younger generations use social media. Older people often use it to connect with family, share photos, and keep up with relatives who live far away. They see it as a communication tool. Young people, however, use social media much more for entertainment, self-expression, and building an online identity. They follow trends, celebrities, and interact with friends daily. Another difference is the amount of time—young people spend hours on social media, while older users usually log in only occasionally. This shows that the purpose and intensity of use are quite different across generations.

Q8: In the future, will technology make friendships stronger or weaker?

Band 7:
I think technology can make friendships stronger because it helps people stay in touch. Even if friends move to another country, they can still talk easily. But at the same time, too much online communication can make friendships weaker if people forget to meet in person. So, it depends on how technology is used.

Band 8:
The future of friendships with technology is a mix of opportunities and risks. On one hand, new tools will make communication faster and easier, allowing friends to stay connected across distances. Virtual reality, for example, may let people feel as if they are meeting face-to-face, even when they are far apart. On the other hand, there is a danger that friendships may become more superficial if most interactions happen through screens instead of real life. The outcome depends on balance—if technology is used to support genuine connections, it will strengthen friendships, but if it replaces personal contact, relationships may become weaker.