– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

[Music]

Hello everyone and welcome back to

another episode of the English Dialogue

Podcast. I am Mike here with my

wonderful co-host Emma. Today we're

tackling a topic that touches most of

our lives, the impact of social media on

self-esteem.

>> Hi listeners,

thanks for joining us. Social media

platforms from Instagram to Tik Tok are

everywhere. They can be fun and

informative, but they also can have a

serious impact on how we see ourselves.

We're going to explore why that happens

and what we can do about it. Let's start

with why social media is tied to

self-esteem.

On platforms like Instagram or Snapchat,

we see highlight reels of people's

lives. perfect vacations, fabulous

outfits, and fancy dinners. It's easy to

feel like you're not measuring up

>> exactly. And guess what? We lose that

comparison game. Social media can

magnify insecurities about looks,

lifestyle, achievements, or even

relationships.

>> Right? It's human nature to compare

ourselves to others, but social media

intensifies it. We might see someone's

stunning photos and think, "Why can't I

look like that? Or am I not doing enough

with my life?" These doubts can erode

self-esteem.

>> Then there's the whole like culture. We

post something and wait for likes,

comments, or shares as a form of

validation. If we get fewer likes than

expected, it can feel like a personal

failure.

>> Yes. It's almost like our self-worth

becomes tied to these metrics.

Even though we know they're just numbers

on a screen, it can still sting. And for

teens especially, it can be devastating

if their posts don't perform.

>> Absolutely. This constant quest for

external validation can create a cycle

of anxiety.

What if no one likes my post? Is there

something wrong with me? It makes us

overly reliant on other people's

approval instead of our own

self-confidence.

Let's also talk about filters and photo

editing. Social media is full of images

that are carefully curated, edited, or

filtered. While there's nothing wrong

with using a fun filter, it can create

unrealistic beauty standards.

Right?

We see flawless skin, perfect lighting,

and think it's reality, but often it's a

combination of good angles, editing

software, and selective posting.

Comparing our natural selves to

someone's heavily edited photos can be

damaging to self-esteem.

>> Totally. There's a difference between

occasional fun edits and living behind a

filter 24/7.

If we're constantly altering how we

appear online, we might start to feel

uncomfortable showing our real selves

offline.

>> Another factor is how social media

algorithms work. They tend to show us

content similar to what we've already

engaged with. If we're watching a lot of

perfect life vlogs, guess what appears

more in our feed?

>> Exactly. It becomes a feedback loop. The

more we see, the more we compare. The

more we compare, the worse we feel. That

can lead to spending even more time

scrolling, hoping to find some content

that makes us feel better, which rarely

happens.

>> Yes, it can be a downward spiral. The

algorithm's goal is to keep us engaged,

not to keep us happy. It's important to

recognize when it's affecting our mental

health.

>> Maybe we should point out some signs

that social media might be harming your

self-esteem. If you notice you're

constantly checking who liked or viewed

your post, or if you feel anxious when

you don't get enough likes, that's a red

flag.

>> Yes. or if you find yourself feeling

jealous, depressed, or inadequate after

scrolling through your feed, that's

another indicator. Also, if you're

comparing every aspect of your life,

relationships, career, body image to

people online.

>> And if you start to avoid posting at all

or you overly edit your photos just to

feel acceptable, it might be time to

evaluate your relationship with social

media.

So, how do we build a healthier

relationship with social media? One

strategy is to curate your feed. If

certain accounts make you feel bad,

unfollow them. Follow people who uplift

you or share genuine positive content.

>> Yes, curating your digital environment

can make a huge difference. Another step

is setting time limits. Instead of

endless scrolling, decide to use social

media for, say, 20 minutes at a time.

>> Exactly. Some phones have built-in

features that notify you when you've

spent a certain amount of time on an

app. It's a great way to stay mindful.

Also, consider a social media detox.

Take a day or a weekend off to

recalibrate.

Yes, a detox can remind you how nice it

is to do other things like talking to

friends face to face, reading, or taking

a walk. Real life interactions can

nurture self-esteem far more than

virtual likes.

>> Absolutely. It's a reminder that life is

multifaceted. There's more to it than

screens and online personas,

>> right? And when we do engage on social

media, we can share more authentic parts

of ourselves like challenges we're

facing or genuine milestones we're proud

of rather than just the perfect

highlights.

>> Speaking of validation, self-esteem is

heavily influenced by self- validation.

Asking for likes can become less

important if we learn to appreciate our

own accomplishments and qualities.

Yes, practicing self- validation might

look like writing down daily

affirmations or acknowledging small wins

like completing a workout or cooking a

meal. Reminding yourself, "I'm proud of

what I did today can build internal

confidence."

>> Exactly.

Gratitude journals or just mentally

noting three things you're grateful for

each day can combat the envy that social

media sometimes triggers. We should also

address comparison directly. Even if we

curate our feeds, we might still see

someone's big achievement or glamorous

photos and feel inadequate. How do we

handle that, Emma?

>> Well, remember that social media usually

shows a curated version of someone's

life. Everyone faces struggles behind

the scenes. Also, remind yourself that

you don't have to be at the same stage

as someone else. Your journey is unique.

Yes. And if you notice you're spiraling

into comparison, it might be time to

step away or do something that grounds

you, like taking a walk or focusing on a

personal goal you've set. Shift the

focus back to your own progress.

>> I love that idea of focusing on your own

progress. Celebrate your milestones,

whether they're big or small. Maybe you

learned a new skill or you had a good

day at work. Highlighting these wins can

elevate self-esteem,

>> right? And that celebration doesn't need

to be posted on social media. It can be

a private acknowledgement or shared with

close friends who truly support you.

That genuine connection often nourishes

self-esteem far more than public likes.

>> Let's not forget about setting healthy

boundaries on what we share. While

authenticity is good, we should also

protect our mental space.

We don't owe social media every detail

of our lives.

>> Yes, oversharing can open doors to

unwanted opinions or comparisons.

Sometimes it's nice to keep certain

memories or milestones just for you and

your inner circle. It helps maintain a

sense of privacy and self ownership.

>> Absolutely. It's about finding a balance

between being real and respecting your

own emotional boundaries. That sense of

control can strengthen your self-esteem

because you're deciding what's right for

you.

>> So, to sum up, social media can be a

double-edged sword. It connects us,

entertains us, and informs us, but it

can also erode our self-esteem if we're

not careful. The key is mindful use.

Curate your feeds, set time limits,

focus on real life connections, and

practice self- validation.

>> Exactly. If a certain account or habit

makes you feel bad, you can change it.

Your self-esteem is worth protecting.

>> Absolutely. And don't forget, your worth

isn't tied to likes or follows. You're

more than your social media profile.

Real confidence comes from knowing who

you are offline as well.

>> Thank you for joining us in this

conversation on the impact of social

media on self-esteem. We hope we've

given you some food for thought and

maybe a few strategies to improve your

online habits.

>> If you found this episode helpful,

please share it with a friend or family

member who might also be struggling with

social media pressures.

And remember, it's okay to log off and

live life in the real world sometimes.

>> Absolutely. Until next time, this is

Emma

>> and I'm Mike.

[Music]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
impact /ˈɪm.pækt/ A2	noun - a strong effect or influence
social /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl/ B1	adjective - relating to society or social relations
media /ˈmiː.di.ə/ B1	noun - the main means of mass communication
esteem /ɪˈstiːm/ B2	noun - respect and admiration
compare /kəmˈpeər/ A2	verb - to examine differences between people or things
validation /ˌvæl.ɪˈdeɪ.ʃən/ C1	noun - confirmation that something is correct or acceptable
anxiety /æŋˈzaɪəti/ A2	noun - worry or nervousness
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
filter /ˈfɪl.tər/ B1	noun - a device or program that blocks or allows certain things verb - to remove impurities or unwanted elements
algorithm /ˈæl.ɡə.rɪð.əm/ B2	noun - a set of rules to solve a problem or achieve a goal
feedback /ˈfiːd.bæk/ A2	noun - information about how well something is working
detox /ˈdiː.tɑːks/ C1	noun - a period of time when you stop using something harmful
genuine /ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn/ B1	adjective - real and sincere
authentic /ɔːˈθen.tɪk/ B2	adjective - real and true, not false
envy /ˈen.vi/ A2	noun - the feeling of wanting what someone else has
celebrate /ˈsel.ɪ.breɪt/ A2	verb - to honor or recognize special events or achievements
grateful /ˈɡreɪt.fəl/ A2	adjective - feeling or showing thanks
milestone /ˈmaɪl.stəʊn/ B2	noun - an important event in the progress of something

Key Grammar Structures

• They can be fun and informative, but they also can have a serious impact on how we see ourselves.

  ➔ Modal verb + infinitive (can + base verb)

  ➔ The modal "can" expresses ability or possibility and is followed by the base verb, e.g., "can **be**".

• It's easy to feel like you're not measuring up.

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose after adjective (easy to + verb)

  ➔ The adjective "easy" is followed by the infinitive "to **feel**" to indicate what is easy.

• We might see someone's stunning photos and think, "Why can't I look like that?"

  ➔ Modal verb for speculation (might) + reported question with modal (can't)

  ➔ The speaker uses "might" to express possibility and the embedded question uses "can't" to show inability.

• If we get fewer likes than expected, it can feel like a personal failure.

  ➔ First conditional (if + present simple, ... can + base verb)

  ➔ "If" introduces a possible future condition; "can feel" describes the result.

• Even though we know they're just numbers on a screen, it can still sting.

  ➔ Concessive clause with "even though" + present simple

  ➔ "Even though" introduces a fact that contradicts the main clause; "can still sting" expresses the lingering effect.

• They tend to show us content similar to what we've already engaged with.

  ➔ Relative clause with "what" as a pronoun + present perfect

  ➔ "what" refers to "content" and the clause "we've already engaged with" uses the present perfect to show past action with present relevance.

• One strategy is to curate your feed.

  ➔ Linking verb + infinitive (is to + verb)

  ➔ "is to" links the subject "One strategy" with the purpose expressed by the infinitive "to **curate**".

• Take a day or a weekend off to recalibrate.

  ➔ Imperative + infinitive of purpose (to + verb)

  ➔ The verb "Take" is an imperative command; "to **recalibrate**" explains why the break is taken.