Participants:
- Emma Taylor
- Daniel Carter
Emma: Hi, Daniel. How are you today?
Daniel: Hey, Emma! I’m doing well, thanks. What about you?
Emma: I’m good, thank you. So, I was thinking we could talk about something interesting for our practice session—how social media has changed the way people communicate. It’s such a big topic these days.
Daniel: That sounds great. Social media is everywhere now, isn’t it? Honestly, I feel like it’s both helpful and kind of overwhelming sometimes.
Emma: Exactly! On one hand, it connects us to so many people around the world, but on the other hand, it can make communication feel… shallow. Do you think social media makes relationships stronger or weaker?
Daniel: Hmm, that’s a tough question. I’d say it depends on how you use it. For example, if I message my cousin in Australia on WhatsApp, that keeps our bond alive because we don’t get to see each other often. But then again, when friends only “like” each other’s posts instead of actually talking, it feels superficial.
Emma: True. And what about misunderstandings? Have you ever had an argument with someone over text or comments online?
Daniel: Oh, definitely. Once, I sent a sarcastic comment to a friend on Instagram, and they took it the wrong way. We ended up having this whole back-and-forth trying to explain ourselves. In person, it probably wouldn’t have been an issue at all.
Emma: Right, tone matters so much. Online, everything comes across flat unless you add emojis or extra words to clarify. Speaking of which, do you think emojis help or hurt communication?
Daniel: I think they help, especially since they add emotion to texts. Like, sending a thumbs-up emoji after agreeing with someone feels friendly. But too many emojis can also be annoying—it’s all about balance. What do you think?
Emma: Same here. They’re useful, but overdoing them can come off as unprofessional. Actually, speaking of professionalism, how do you feel about using social media for work-related stuff?
Daniel: Well, LinkedIn is obviously designed for professional networking, so I’m fine with that. But platforms like Facebook or Twitter? Not so much. I prefer keeping personal and work life separate.
Emma: Me too. Though I’ve noticed some companies encourage employees to promote their brand on their personal accounts. It blurs the lines a bit, doesn’t it?
Daniel: Totally. Plus, there’s the pressure to always be “on.” You know, responding to messages late at night or checking updates during weekends. It’s exhausting.
Emma: Absolutely. There’s no real boundary anymore. Another thing I’ve been wondering—is social media making people more open-minded or closing them off to different perspectives?
Daniel: Hmm, I’d argue it does both. Algorithms show us content based on what we already like, so we end up in these echo chambers where everyone agrees with us. But occasionally, I stumble upon videos or articles that challenge my views, and that’s refreshing.
Emma: Yeah, that happens to me too. Like last week, I watched this documentary someone shared on Twitter about climate change. It really made me rethink some things. Still, I worry about how polarized discussions can get online. People seem quicker to attack than listen.
Daniel: Oh, absolutely. The anonymity factor plays into that. When you’re behind a screen, it’s easier to say harsh things you wouldn’t dare say face-to-face.
Emma: Very true. Okay, last question—do you think we’ll ever reach a point where social media becomes less dominant in our lives?
Daniel: Hmm, maybe, but not anytime soon. Technology just keeps evolving, and new apps keep popping up. Unless society shifts its values away from constant connectivity, I think we’re stuck with it.
Emma: Interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Daniel. This has been a really insightful conversation.
Daniel: Likewise, Emma. These kinds of talks always give me something to think about. Let’s do this again sometime!
Emma: Definitely. Talk soon!
End of Conversation
