Social Media (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Social media
Social media plays a significant role in modern life, especially for young people. This topic frequently appears in Leaving Cert Spanish exams, so mastering the vocabulary and being able to express opinions about social platforms is essential for success.
Key vocabulary
These vocabulary terms form the foundation of any social media discussion in Spanish. Focus on learning both positive and negative aspects to present balanced arguments in your exam responses.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| las redes sociales | social media/social networks |
| los jóvenes | young people |
| perjudicar | to harm/damage |
| las ventajas | advantages |
| las desventajas | disadvantages |
| conectarse con | to connect with |
| la comunicación instantánea | instant communication |
| el intercambio | exchange |
| los mensajes | messages |
| las fotos | photos |
| los vídeos | videos |
| la información actualizada | up-to-date information |
| en tiempo real | in real time |
| los tutoriales | tutorials |
| los recursos educativos | educational resources |
| las conexiones profesionales | professional connections |
| las oportunidades laborales | job opportunities |
| la adicción | addiction |
| distraer | to distract |
| las responsabilidades | responsibilities |
| las actividades diarias | daily activities |
| la salud mental | mental health |
| el bienestar | wellbeing |
| el acoso en línea | online harassment/cyberbullying |
| el ciberbullying | cyberbullying |
| las consecuencias emocionales | emotional consequences |
| las consecuencias psicológicas | psychological consequences |
| las versiones idealizadas | idealised versions |
| la comparación social | social comparison |
| la autoestima | self-esteem |
| la privacidad | privacy |
| la información compartida | shared information |
| utilizar adecuadamente | to use appropriately |
| de manera consciente | consciously |
| equilibrada | balanced |
| la orientación | guidance |
| navegar | to navigate |
Model sentences using the vocabulary
These example sentences demonstrate how to use the key vocabulary in context, showing proper grammar structures and natural Spanish expression:
Ejemplo: Sentences with Key Vocabulary
Las redes sociales facilitan la comunicación entre amigos. Social media facilitates communication between friends.
Los jóvenes pueden ser víctimas de ciberbullying. Young people can be victims of cyberbullying.
Esta adicción puede afectar negativamente su salud mental. This addiction can negatively affect their mental health.
Las redes sociales ofrecen tutoriales y recursos educativos gratuitos. Social media offers free tutorials and educational resources.
La información compartida en línea puede ser difícil de controlar. Information shared online can be difficult to control. Grammar note: "puede ser" uses the infinitive after "poder" (can/to be able to)
Es importante utilizar las redes sociales de manera equilibrada. It's important to use social media in a balanced way. Grammar note: "es importante" + infinitive is a key structure for giving advice
Useful expressions and idioms
Learning these expressions will help you create sophisticated arguments and smooth transitions between ideas in your essay responses:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| estar de acuerdo con | to agree with |
| no estar de acuerdo con | to disagree with |
| en general | in general |
| para empezar | to begin with |
| sin embargo | however |
| además | furthermore/moreover |
| también es necesario apuntar que | it's also necessary to point out that |
| adicionalmente | additionally |
| hay que tener en cuenta | one must take into account |
| por todas estas razones | for all these reasons |
| sacar conclusiones | to draw conclusions |
| tener consecuencias | to have consequences |
| a menudo | often |
| independientemente de | regardless of |
| si bien | although |
| caer en manos equivocadas | to fall into the wrong hands |
Sample opinion piece
This model response demonstrates how to structure a balanced argument about social media, incorporating advanced vocabulary and connecting phrases. Pay attention to how opinions are introduced, supported with evidence, and concluded effectively:
Las redes sociales: ¿beneficiosas o perjudiciales para los jóvenes?
Social media: beneficial or harmful for young people?
En mi opinión, las redes sociales tienen tanto ventajas como desventajas para los jóvenes. Por un lado, permiten conectarse con amigos y familiares de manera rápida y sencilla. Además, facilitan la comunicación instantánea y el intercambio de fotos y mensajes, lo cual resulta útil en la vida diaria. También ofrecen recursos educativos y oportunidades para aprender y compartir ideas.
In my opinion, social media has both advantages and disadvantages for young people. On the one hand, they allow young people to connect with friends and family quickly and easily. Furthermore, they facilitate instant communication and the exchange of photos and messages, which is useful in daily life. They also offer educational resources and opportunities to learn and share ideas.
Sin embargo, no podemos ignorar los riesgos. Es evidente que las redes sociales pueden ser adictivas y distraer a los jóvenes de sus estudios. El ciberacoso es otro problema grave que puede perjudicar la salud mental y emocional. Asimismo, muestran versiones idealizadas de la vida, lo que lleva a la comparación social y puede dañar la autoestima.
However, we cannot ignore the risks. It is clear that social media can be addictive and distract young people from their studies. Cyberbullying is another serious problem that can harm mental and emotional health. In addition, they often show idealised versions of life, which leads to social comparison and can damage self-esteem.
En conclusión, creo que las redes sociales pueden ser beneficiosas si se usan con moderación y responsabilidad. Hay que tener en cuenta que, si se utilizan de forma excesiva o sin cuidado, pueden tener consecuencias muy negativas.
In conclusion, I believe that social media can be beneficial if it is used with moderation and responsibility. It must be taken into account that, if used excessively or carelessly, they can have very negative consequences.
Essay Structure Analysis
Notice how this essay follows a clear structure:
- Introduction: Clearly introduces the topic, mentions both advantages and disadvantages, and sets the tone with "En mi opinión".
- Body paragraphs: First paragraph presents advantages (connection, communication, learning opportunities). The second paragraph presents disadvantages (addiction, cyberbullying, self-esteem issues). Transition phrases like sin embargo and es evidente que strengthen cohesion.
- Conclusion: Summarises the argument with a balanced final opinion, using high-value expressions like en conclusión and hay que tener en cuenta.
This balanced approach demonstrates critical thinking skills that examiners look for in higher-level responses.
Key Points to Remember:
- Master opinion expressions: estar de acuerdo con(to agree with), no estar de acuerdo con (to disagree with) are essential for expressing your views on social media topics
- Learn connecting phrases: Words like sin embargo (however), además (furthermore / moreover), para empezar (to begin with) help structure your arguments clearly and earn higher marks
- Know both sides: Be prepared to discuss advantages (communication, education, connections) and disadvantages (addiction, cyberbullying, privacy issues) of social media
- Use varied vocabulary: Don't just repeat "las redes sociales" - include specific terms like ciberbullying, privacidad, adicción to demonstrate range
- Practice the subjunctive: Expressions like es importante que + subjunctive frequently appear in technology topics and show advanced grammar knowledge