A.Add a comma after viewpoints.
B.Add a semicolon after viewpoints.
C.Add a dash after viewpoints.
D.Add parentheses around reinforcing existing biases and misconceptions.
[1] Social media has become an integral part of teenagers’ lives in today's world. [2] While it offers many benefits, such as connecting with friends and accessing information, it also has a dark side. [3] Social media is corrupting the way teenagers think about today's society, leading to unrealistic expectations, decreased attention spans, and a distorted view of reality.2 [4] Firstly, social media creates unrealistic expectations about life and success. [5] Teenagers are constantly bombarded with carefully curated images and posts that only show the highlights of people's lives. [6] This leads to a false belief that everyone else is living perfect lives, while their own experiences seem inadequate in comparison. [7] As a result, many teenagers develop low self-esteem and a skewed perception of what constitutes a normal life.3 [8] Secondly, the constant stream of information and entertainment on social media platforms has significantly affected teenagers' attention spans. [9] The need for instant gratification and the fear of missing out (FOMO) have made it difficult for young people to focus on tasks that require sustained concentration. [10] This not only impacts their academic performance but also their ability to engage in meaningful real-world interactions and activities.4 [11] However, some argue that social media has a positive impact on teenagers’ perception of society. [12] They claim that these platforms expose young people to diverse perspectives and global issues, helping them become more informed and socially conscious. [13] Supporters of social media argue that it allows teenagers to connect with like-minded individuals and participate in important social movements, thereby broadening their understanding of the world.5 [14] While the argument for social media’s positive impact has merit, the negative consequences outweigh these potential benefits. [15] The exposure to diverse perspectives is often superficial and doesn't necessarily translate to real-world understanding or empathy. [16] Moreover, the echo chamber effect of social media algorithms can actually limit exposure to diverse viewpoints reinforcing existing biases and misconceptions.6 [17] In conclusion, while social media has its advantages, it's negative impact on teenagers' perception of society cannot be ignored. [18] By creating unrealistic expectations, decreasing attention spans, and providing a skewed view of the world, social media is shaping a generation that struggles to understand the complexities of the real world. [19] Although it may offer some benefits in terms of global awareness, these are outweighed by its detrimental effects. [20] It is crucial for parents, educators, and society as a whole to address this issue and help teenagers develop a more balanced and realistic view of the world around them.
1 answer
The best edit to improve the use of punctuation in sentence 16 from paragraph 5 is:
A. Add a comma after viewpoints.
The corrected sentence would read: "Moreover, the echo chamber effect of social media algorithms can actually limit exposure to diverse viewpoints, reinforcing existing biases and misconceptions."
This insertion clarifies that "reinforcing existing biases and misconceptions" is an additional clause explaining the preceding idea about limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints.
