Technology & Social Media
La tecnología y las redes sociales
⏱ 45-60 minWhat you'll learn
- ✓ Describe devices and how you use them
- ✓ Discuss advantages and disadvantages of technology
- ✓ Talk about social media habits and online safety
- ✓ Express opinions on screen time and digital life
- ✓ Use a range of opinion phrases and connectives
Grammar Focus
Essential grammar for this topic with exam tips and links to full explanations.
Para + infinitive (purpose)
Use para + infinitive to explain what you use technology for.
Examples:
Uso el móvil para chatear
I use my phone to chat
Las redes sociales sirven para conectar con amigos
Social media is for connecting with friends
Navego por Internet para buscar información
I browse the internet to search for information
⚠️Exam tip: "Para + infinitive" is essential for explaining purpose in this topic!
Advantages and disadvantages
Use key structures to discuss pros and cons.
Examples:
La ventaja es que...
The advantage is that...
La desventaja es que...
The disadvantage is that...
Por un lado... por otro lado...
On one hand... on the other hand...
Aunque es útil, puede ser peligroso
Although it's useful, it can be dangerous
⚠️Exam tip: Balanced arguments with "por un lado/otro lado" show mature writing!
Frequency and time spent
Describe how often and how long you use technology.
Examples:
Paso dos horas al día en las redes
I spend two hours a day on social media
Reviso mi móvil constantemente
I check my phone constantly
A veces paso demasiado tiempo...
Sometimes I spend too much time...
⚠️Exam tip: Pasar tiempo + gerund is useful: "paso tiempo navegando"
Subjunctive for opinions
HigherUse subjunctive after opinion verbs for sophisticated language.
Examples:
No creo que las redes sean seguras
I don't think social media is safe
Es importante que tengamos cuidado
It's important that we are careful
Dudo que sea bueno para la salud
I doubt it's good for health
⚠️Exam tip: Subjunctive after "no creo que" and "dudo que" is Higher tier!
Learn more about Present Subjunctive →🔗 Key Verbs for this Topic
Quick Reference
Balanced Arguments
Use por un lado... por otro lado for balanced opinions. Add sin embargo or aunque for contrast.
Por un lado, las redes sociales son útilesOn one hand, social media is useful
Sin embargo, puede ser adictivoHowever, it can be addictive
Verb Conjugation Tables
usar
| yo | uso |
| tú | usas |
| él/ella | usa |
| nosotros | usamos |
| vosotros | usáis |
| ellos/ellas | usan |
compartir
| yo | comparto |
| tú | compartes |
| él/ella | comparte |
| nosotros | compartimos |
| vosotros | compartís |
| ellos/ellas | comparten |