All my happy friends

How well do social media posts show real life? What is the impact of social media posts on how we feel about our lives? Watch this thought-provoking short film by Paul Howard Allen on the topic of social media and mental health.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercise. Remember you can read the transcript at any time.

Preparation

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Transcript

Woman1: Yeah, they were smashed. Dave stole this hat from a hen party, nearly got into a fight. Yeah, that was a washout. Never mind.

Woman2: This shot shows how much I’m enjoying being a mother. I’m really treasuring every little moment. And here we all are ... all together … a family.

Man1: It’s just a typical Tuesday meal for us. It shows how healthy and balanced my life is. Made it myself.

Woman3: This photo clearly shows how advanced Millie is. I mean, writing up to five, at her age, is incredible.

Woman4: I mean, look at that beach! That’s what you call white sand, isn't it?

[singing] Three, two, one … Happy New Year!

Woman5: What a New Year’s! If next year is half as good as this one has been, then ...

Woman1: I just don’t know why I’m feeling like this.

[baby crying]
Woman1: This is the life, nothing better than relaxing with a takeaway over New Year’s. Oh, what a night! Another typical evening for me, clearly enjoying myself but then that’s the sort of fun, carefree life I lead.

[baby crying]

[singing] People tell me how I’m a-losing my mind but I tell people you just in my car. Oh, time moves faster than me, can’t you see all this job you been working I’ve been a-running free.

Task 1

Exercise

Discussion

Has a social media post ever affected your mood? How can we protect ourselves from this problem?

Download

Worksheet364.82 KB

Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

C1 Advanced

C2 Proficiency

Topics

health and fitness

social media

Do someone know what a "takeaway" mean on the transcript context?

Hi Maria Helen,

It means food bought from a restaurant to take and eat at home. Another name for it is "takeout".

Jonathan

LearnEnglish team

Sometimes when I post a photo and I don't get many likes, it tends to affect my self-esteem because I usually compare myself to other people. I think we need to realize that we are all worth the same, no matter how many likes you get or how happy or sad other people look in posts.

Yeah! That's it!

Yes. It has. We can be protected by disregarding and skipping those one that could likely affects our mood negatively.

Ooo, really I think social media does not affect good of our heath....When we see someone buy new house,car, go to travelling somewhere... and It annoys us and we want it...but it`s not for our pocket :( :/

No, not that much. I'm not a social media guy. I don't have a Facebook account. No Instagram account. I follow Twitter, but very rare. But still, it affects a little through WhatsApp and YouTube. Political issues and heinous crimes affect me.

Social media affects our mood when we have self-esteem issues. Finding your purpose in life and working on things you believe will make you feel better about your life. Consequently, you won´t pay too much attention to what you see on social media.

Hello Nanci, You've got such a way with words! In fact, I used to be affected by a social media like a personal blog. As I'm simple and honest (silly, I mean, but just trying not to see the negative side of things), I was so shocked and confused by knowing the chaos in a social media. Indeed, some people accidentally die to show off their amazing pics they took, others behave stupidly to cover up their low self-esteem issues on social media. Now that I realized I need to be more cynical about it and work on things I believe to make my life better, as you suggest!

Never, I spend 5 to 10 minutes a day because of my dogs on facebook, after that , it doesn't affect my life.