People are Drowning in Social Media

Question

A. Gautam

Everyone in the world would agree that today’s youth and adults are constantly using social media on their smartphone. In fact, 75% of millennials (people born between 1980-1996) also use social media weekly while 55% use more than one platform many times a day. Surprisingly, there are many older adults ages 45-54 with at least one social profile and vigorous use of social media. This has brought upon many changes in the way our society communicates, and frankly, it is alarming.

According to Future of Work Media, although 75% of people express a desire to spend more time with the family, their reality shows they have personal interaction through social media. Social media is quick and easy to access. Instant interaction motivates people to stay in touch this way. In fact, adults spend at least 20 hours a week online on social platforms. Only a small percent of these interactions is also with the same people in real life. In other words, you may visit your grandmother once a month but text her weekly. While it may feel like being in touch more, it is in fact a less meaningful interaction.

Because one can form a social relationship via a smartphone with just anyone, people’s attention is divided, and the exchanges aren’t really meaningful. There is a lack of depth that only personal interactions can provide. The effect of tone and intended emotion is lost when the person you are communicating with is only using gifs, memes, or characters.

People are used to picking up the smartphones for many reasons and any time they have a free moment, like waiting for food, or being a passenger in a car. Even when people are together, their eyes are downcast and focused on the smartphone instead of the person they are with. Because smartphones are the most stimulating toys with endless possibilities, a simple conversation with a real person can be seen as boring and something to be avoided.

Do not replace personal interaction with your loved ones with social media exchange or texts for a meaningful communication and relationship.
Question
What inference can be made based on paragraph 4 of the passage?
Responses
A Smartphones are not used to order food at a restaurant. Smartphones are not used to order food at a restaurant.
B Smartphones are used for other things more than talking on the phone. Smartphones are used for other things more than talking on the phone.
C Smartphones are the main reason people’s relationships are suffering. Smartphones are the main reason people’s relationships are suffering.
D Smartphones should not be allowed in social gathering. Smartphones should not be allowed in social gathering.

Answer 1

The correct inference that can be made based on paragraph 4 of the passage is:

B: Smartphones are used for other things more than talking on the phone.

The paragraph emphasizes that people use smartphones for various purposes, often at the expense of engaging in meaningful personal interactions. It mentions how individuals tend to focus on their smartphones, even when in the company of others, suggesting that smartphones are distracting them from real-life conversations.