Social media detox: a video lesson

This is a video-based lesson for intermediate and upper-intermediate students, focusing on listening, speaking and vocabulary. Use it to your heart’s content.

A  Look at the photo and discuss the questions. How much do you have in common with your partner(s)?

1. If your phone was running out of space, which of these apps would you delete first/last? Why?
2. Which one do you spend the most time on during the week? How about on the weekend?
3. In general, do you spend more or less time on social media compared to the people closest to you?
4. How would you have answered question 3 five years ago?
5. What social media habits, if any, would you like to change?

B  You are going to watch a woman talk about quitting social media (video 1). Choose the correct options. There is no need to take notes at this point – just look at the screen so you can enjoy the video!
1. She was a [heavy / moderate] social media user.
2. The first few days were [not that / very] hard.
3. She says her life has [gotten better / changed very little].

Video 1

C  Watch a few selected excerpts from the video (video 2) and answer the questions on the screen. You can take notes this time. Each excerpt is repeated with subtitles on so you can check your answer.

Video 2

D  Discuss questions 1-7 with a partner.
1. In general, how did the woman strike you?
2. How do you like the advice she gives at the end of the video?
3. Of all the changes she went through, which was, in your opinion, the most positive? Why?
4. She said it took her about a week to get “cured.” Why do you think she chose this particular word? Would you use a different one?
5. At one point, she mentioned the term FOMO, which stands for fear of missing out. What do you think it means exactly and how might it affect our lives? (Click on the link to find out more.)
6. Would you ever consider doing a social media detox like hers? Why (not)?
7. If so, would you be willing to post a video on YouTube describing your experience? Why (not)?

E  Read sentences 1-7, taken from the video, and try to remember the missing words – in some cases we have provided the first letters. Then watch video 3 and check.

1. I realized just how often I gla__________ (=look quickly) down just to see if I have a notification.
2. I’m hoping with this social media fa__________ (=period of time without social media) that my brain will kind of recalibrate itself.
3. I hope to become more foc__________ (=able to concentrate), more productive… for my brain to be a little less scat__________ (=unfocused) and all over the pl__________ (=disorganized).  
4. The first day of my social media cle__________ (=detox) was a Friday. 
5. I spend nine hours a day staring at a screen at my job, and c__________ down on (=reducing) screen time outside of the office has changed my world.
6. We’ve got to focus on ourselves for a little bit and not every rand__________ stranger (=someone you have no real connection with) you’re friends with on Facebook.
7. I’m not feeling like I m__________ out on (=didn’t have a chance to become involved in) anything because I’m not seeing it.

Video 3

F  Find a new partner. Discuss questions 3-5 from part A again. Use at least four of the blue words and expressions. First, spend a minute or two planning what to say.