Social Media & Communication

Go viral
Context: Why do people like sharing things on social media?

Meaning: When content spreads very quickly online.
General: The funny video went viral overnight and reached millions of viewers.
Personal: Last year, a cooking tutorial I watched went viral, and all my friends were talking about it.

Digital footprint
Context: Should people be careful about what they post online?

Meaning: The record of everything a person does on the internet.
General: Employers often check candidates’ digital footprints before hiring them.
Personal: I try to keep my digital footprint clean by avoiding negative comments on social media.

Echo chamber
Context: Do you think social media limits people’s perspectives?

Meaning: A situation where someone only hears opinions that match their own.
General: Social networks can create echo chambers where people are exposed to one-sided views.
Personal: Sometimes my news feed feels like an echo chamber because I only see posts that agree with my beliefs.

Filter bubble
Context: Has technology changed communication?

Meaning: When algorithms show you only content based on your past interests.
General: Living in a filter bubble can stop people from learning new ideas.
Personal: I realized I was in a filter bubble when my social media only showed me football content for weeks.

Instant gratification
Context: Why do people spend so much time online?

Meaning: Getting pleasure or satisfaction immediately.
General: Social media provides instant gratification through likes and comments.
Personal: I sometimes check my posts too often because I enjoy the instant gratification of receiving likes.

Information overload
Context: What problems can social media cause?

Meaning: Having too much information to process.
General: The internet often leads to information overload for users.
Personal: When I scroll for too long, I feel overwhelmed by information overload.

Cyberbullying
Context: What are the negative effects of social media?

Meaning: Using technology to harm or harass people.
General: Cyberbullying has become a serious issue among teenagers.
Personal: Luckily, I’ve never experienced cyberbullying, but I’ve seen friends suffer from it online.

Keyboard warrior (idiom)
Context: Why do people argue online?

Meaning: Someone who is aggressive online but not in real life.
General: Many people turn into keyboard warriors when hiding behind a screen.
Personal: I sometimes see keyboard warriors leaving harsh comments under celebrities’ posts.

Influencer culture
Context: How has social media changed lifestyles?

Meaning: The trend of online personalities shaping opinions and trends.
General: Influencer culture has made social media a powerful marketing tool.
Personal: I occasionally follow influencer culture because some lifestyle tips are genuinely useful.

Attention span
Context: Do you think social media affects how people think?

Meaning: The length of time a person can focus on something.
General: Social media may reduce young people’s attention spans.
Personal: I’ve noticed my attention span gets shorter if I spend too much time scrolling reels.

Double-edged sword (idiom)
Context: Is social media good or bad?

Meaning: Something that has both positive and negative sides.
General: Social media is a double-edged sword because it connects people but also spreads fake news.
Personal: For me, social media is a double-edged sword: I learn quickly but also waste time easily.

Online persona
Context: Why do people behave differently online?

Meaning: The identity or image someone creates for themselves online.
General: Many people have an online persona that is very different from real life.
Personal: I try to make sure my online persona is authentic and not fake.

Digital detox
Context: How can people avoid the negative effects of social media?

Meaning: A period of time when someone avoids using digital devices.
General: A digital detox can improve mental health and reduce stress.
Personal: I sometimes take a digital detox on weekends to spend more time outdoors.

Spread misinformation
Context: What problems are caused by online platforms?

Meaning: To share false or misleading information.
General: Social media can easily spread misinformation during a crisis.
Personal: I once believed a piece of news online, but later realized it was misinformation.

Break the internet (idiom)
Context: Why do some things become so popular online?

Meaning: When something online becomes extremely popular and widely discussed.
General: The celebrity’s wedding photos broke the internet.
Personal: A local singer’s performance once broke the internet in Vietnam, and it was all over my feed.