PIRMĀ SEMESTRA NOSLĒGUMA TESTI
Voices in the Digital Age: Power, Responsibility, and Online Influence
In today’s connected world, every click has impact. What we see, share, and believe is shaped by the constant flow of information on every social network and platform we use. Our screens are filled with endless posts in the feed, each competing for attention. Among them are influencers, journalists, and every content creator who wants to reach their target audience and start the next big trend.
However, the online world is not always what it seems. False news and misinformation spread faster than ever, often shared by people who don’t check where the stories come from. A message written to persuade can easily change facts and shape public opinion. That’s why it’s important to question every post and look for a reliable source before believing or sharing anything.
Some videos and posts become viral, gaining millions of views within hours. Their influence can change buying habits, inspire protests, or spread awareness about global issues. Yet this same power can also cause harm if users forget about ethics and responsible use.
The internet gives everyone freedom of speech, allowing people to share ideas and comment on events instantly. However, that freedom can be abused through trolling, hateful language, or personal attacks. Polite communication helps protect privacy and builds trust among users.
Being part of the digital world means leaving a digital footprint – a permanent record of everything we post, like, or write. It’s also a sign that honesty matters online. Copying someone else’s work without credit is plagiarism, and it damages creativity and reputation.
In the end, social media is both a tool and a test. It has the power to inform, inspire, and connect but only if people use it wisely, think carefully, and remember that truth, kindness, and responsibility travel farther than any viral post ever could.
Key vocabulary:
fake news — [ˌfeɪk ˈnjuːz] — false or misleading information presented as news; viltus ziņas
impact — [ˈɪm.pækt] — the strong effect that something has on a situation or person; ietekme, ietekmēt
influence — [ˈɪn.flu.əns] — the power to affect how someone thinks or behaves; ietekmēt to, kā kāds domā, uzvedas
misinformation — [ˌmɪs.ɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən] — false or incorrect information spread without intending to deceive; dezinformācija, maldināšana
persuade — [pəˈsweɪd] — the act of convincing someone to believe or do something; pārliecināt
public opinion — [ˌpʌb.lɪk əˈpɪn.jən] — the general view that most people have about a topic; sabiedriskā doma
reliable source — [rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl sɔːs] — a trustworthy origin of information; uzticams avots
target audience — [ˌtɑː.ɡɪt ˈɔː.di.əns] — the specific group of people a message or product is aimed at; mērķauditorija
Social and Digital Media
comment — [ˈkɒm.ent] — a written response or opinion posted online; komentārs, komentēt
content creator — [ˈkɒn.tent kriˈeɪ.tər] — a person who produces videos, posts, or other digital material; digitāla satura veidotājs
feed — [fiːd] — a stream of updates or posts that appear on a social-media page; jaunumu, ziņu plūsma
platform — [ˈplæt.fɔːm] — a website or app that allows people to communicate or share content; sociālo tīklu platforma
social network — [ˌsəʊ.ʃəl ˈnet.wɜːk] — a website or app that connects people for communication or sharing; sociālais tīkls
trend — [trend] — a popular topic or behaviour that many people follow for a time; tendence, virziens
viral — [ˈvaɪə.rəl] — becoming very popular and quickly spread online; plaši izplatīts
Morality and Responsibility
digital footprint — [ˌdɪdʒ.ɪ.təl ˈfʊt.prɪnt] — all the information about a person that exists online; digitālā pēda
freedom of speech — [ˌfriː.dəm əv ˈspiːtʃ] — the right to express opinions without being punished; vārda brīvība
plagiarism — [ˈpleɪ.dʒə.rɪ.zəm] — using another person’s words or ideas as your own; plaģiātisms
privacy — [ˈprɪv.ə.si] — the right to keep personal information secret; privātums
responsible use — [rɪˈspɒn.sə.bəl juːs] — using technology in a safe, respectful, and ethical way; atbildīga lietošana
trolling — [ˈtrɒl.ɪŋ] — posting cruel or insulting comments online to upset people; provokācija internetā, kaitnieciska rakstīšana
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise expressing opinions — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Discussion-Type Questions
1.Why do you think misinformation spreads so easily online?
“In my opinion, people often share posts without checking the facts first. Sometimes the headlines look interesting or emotional, and users just click ‘share’. I believe the best solution is to follow reliable sources and always think before posting or reacting.”
2.What makes a social media post go viral?
“I think a post goes viral when it’s emotional, funny, or surprising. People love content that makes them feel something or helps them connect with others. For example, inspiring stories or creative videos are shared thousands of times because they stand out from the rest.”
3.How can online influencers affect public opinion?
“In my view, influencers have a lot of power because their followers trust them. If they recommend a product or share a political idea, people listen. I think this influence can be positive when it spreads good messages, but dangerous if they promote false information.”
4.What are the risks of having complete freedom of speech on the internet?
“Freedom of speech is important, but it can be misused. Some people post hate messages or insult others online. I think freedom should come with responsibility – we should express our ideas politely and respect other people’s rights.”
5.How can people protect their privacy and digital footprint online?
“I would say that everyone should think carefully before posting. Once something is online, it’s almost impossible to delete. For me, protecting privacy means using strong passwords, not sharing personal details, and avoiding unsafe websites.”