- A research study looked at social media and families.
- Many young people leave home to attend university.
- Their parents usually stay in the same town.
- Students meet many different people at university.
- Social media helps students keep old friends far away.
- If parents and children use the same sites, friend groups change.
- Parents who share sites meet more people from other races.
- We do not yet know long-term effects on families.
- The study shows social media can help or harm.
- Sharing sites can reduce closed friend groups for some parents.
Difficult words
- social media — websites and apps for talking
- university — a school for older students
- attend — go to an event or place
- research — careful study to find facts
- family — people related by blood or marriagefamilies
- effect — a change that something causeseffects
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you use social media?
- Do your parents use the same social sites as you?
- Have you met new people at school or university?
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