Social media and new technology

Q: What are the correct Spanish terms and genders for a mobile phone and a laptop?

El móvil (or el teléfono inteligente ) for mobile phone, and el portátil for laptop; both are masculine nouns.

Q: What vocabulary alternatives can you use instead of repeating el internet in Spanish?

You can use la red (the web) or el ciberespacio (cyberspace).

Q: Which Spanish verbs are used to express uploading/posting and downloading content online?

Subir or colgar means to upload/post, and descargar means to download.

Q: Which Spanish verb should you use to say that a device or machine is working properly?

Use funcionar (e.g., Mi móvil no funciona ), never trabajar .

Q: What are some common Spanish phrases used to express the advantages of technology and social media?

Es una herramienta útil (it is a useful tool) and permite compartir información rápidamente (it allows you to share information quickly).

Q: What Spanish terms describe the negative aspects of technology such as cyberbullying and addiction?

El ciberacoso (cyberbullying) and estar enganchado/a (to be hooked/addicted).

Q: Which sophisticated connectives can you use instead of porque to justify opinions in Spanish?

Ya que (since/seeing that), puesto que (since/given that), and debido a que (due to the fact that).

Q: How can you contrast past and present technology habits using the imperfect and present tenses?

Use the Imperfect Tense for past habits and the Present Tense for current habits (e.g., En el pasado, usaba mi portátil raramente, pero ahora uso mi móvil constantemente ).

Q: How do you form a Higher Tier complex hypothetical sentence about technology using Si tuviera... ?

Combine Si tuviera más tiempo (imperfect subjunctive) with a conditional tense verb (e.g., usaría... / pasaría menos horas frente a la pantalla ).

Spanish 5750 · CCEA GCSE · 5 min read · Updated: Sep 1, 2026

Welcome to your revision guide for Social media and new technology! This topic is part of Context for Learning 1: Identity, Lifestyle and Culture in your CCEA GCSE Spanish course. Technology is a huge part of our everyday lives, which makes it one of the most practical and frequently tested topics across all four exam units: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing (each worth 25% of your final grade).

Don't worry if learning new vocabulary feels overwhelming at first. We will break down key words, phrases, and sentence structures step-by-step so you can speak and write about your digital life with confidence!

1. Essential Devices and Online Platforms

To talk about technology, you first need the names of the equipment you use every day. Pay close attention to the gender (el or la) of each noun!

Key Devices (Los dispositivos):
• El móvil / El teléfono inteligente – The mobile phone / smartphone
• El portátil – The laptop
• La tableta – The tablet
• La pantalla – The screen

Social Media and the Web (Las redes sociales y la red):
• La red social – The social network
• Las redes de comunicación – Communication networks
• La red / El ciberespacio – The web / cyberspace
• El usuario – The user
• El perfil – The profile
• La contraseña – The password
• El muro – The wall / feed
• La herramienta – The tool

Top Examiner Tip: Instead of repeating el internet over and over again, impress the examiner by varying your vocabulary with la red or el ciberespacio.

Quick Key Takeaway: Remember that el móvil and el portátil are masculine words. A very common exam error is writing la móvil or la portátil.

2. Key Tech Verbs: What Do You Do Online?

Examiners love to ask what you use your phone or computer for. Here are the core action verbs you need:

• Subir / Colgar – To upload / to post (e.g., Me gusta colgar fotos - I like to post photos)
• Descargar – To download (e.g., Suelo descargar música - I usually download music)
• Compartir – To share (e.g., Comparto vídeos con mis amigos - I share videos with my friends)
• Chatear – To chat online
• Navegar – To surf / browse (e.g., Navegar por la red - To surf the web)
• Borrar – To delete
• Mandar mensajes – To send messages

Common Pitfall to Avoid:
If your tablet or phone is working properly, do not use the verb trabajar (which means to work at a job). Instead, use the verb funcionar (to function/work):
• Mi móvil no funciona = My phone is not working.
• Incorrect: Mi móvil no trabaja.

3. Advantages and Disadvantages (Ventajas y Desventajas)

To reach the top marks in your Speaking (Unit 2) and Writing (Unit 4) exams, you must be able to discuss the pros and cons of new technology and give a balanced point of view.

Benefits and Advantages (Beneficios y Ventajas)

• Es una herramienta útil – It is a useful tool.
• Es fácil mantenerse en contacto con amigos – It is easy to stay in touch with friends.
• Permite compartir información rápidamente – It allows you to share information quickly.

Risks and Disadvantages (Riesgos y Desventajas)

• El acoso escolar en línea / El ciberacoso – Cyberbullying
• Estar enganchado/a – To be hooked / addicted (e.g., Estoy enganchado a mi móvil - I am addicted to my phone)
• Los riesgos para la privacidad – Risks to privacy
• La pérdida de tiempo – Waste of time

Quick Key Takeaway: Whenever you mention an advantage or disadvantage, always explain why. Never simply say "I like Instagram." Give reasons to show off your range!

4. Level Up Your Language: Connectives and Tenses

A. Justifying Opinions with Varied Connectives

Instead of just using porque (because), elevate your speaking and writing with these alternatives:
• Ya que – Since / seeing that
• Puesto que – Since / given that
• Debido a que – Due to the fact that

Example: Uso las redes sociales a diario ya que son muy útiles para mis estudios. (I use social media daily since they are very useful for my studies.)

B. Comparing the Past and Present

Show the examiner you can use multiple tenses by contrasting what you used to do (Imperfect Tense) with what you do now (Present Tense):

• En el pasado, usaba mi portátil raramente, pero ahora uso mi móvil constantemente.
(In the past, I used to use my laptop rarely, but now I use my mobile constantly.)

C. Higher Tier Complex Structure

Using an "if" clause with the conditional tense is a proven way to target the highest grades in Unit 4 Writing and Unit 2 Speaking:

• Si tuviera más tiempo, usaría... – If I had more time, I would use...
Example: Si tuviera más tiempo, pasaría menos horas frente a la pantalla y saldría más con mis amigos. (If I had more time, I would spend fewer hours in front of the screen and go out more with my friends.)

5. Topic Summary and Quick Review

Before moving on, test yourself on these essential checks:

1. Genders: Remember el móvil and el portátil are masculine, while la red and la pantalla are feminine.
2. Correct Verbs: Use funcionar for machines working, and subir/colgar for posting online.
3. Key Issues: Be ready to define and discuss el ciberacoso (cyberbullying) and estar enganchado (being hooked).
4. Exam Questions: Practice answering standard CCEA Speaking prompts such as "¿Cómo usas tu móvil?" (How do you use your mobile?) and "¿Qué piensas de las redes sociales?" (What do you think of social networks?).

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What are the correct Spanish terms and genders for a mobile phone and a laptop?

El móvil (or el teléfono inteligente) for mobile phone, and el portátil for laptop; both are masculine nouns.

What vocabulary alternatives can you use instead of repeating el internet in Spanish?

You can use la red (the web) or el ciberespacio (cyberspace).

Which Spanish verbs are used to express uploading/posting and downloading content online?

Subir or colgar means to upload/post, and descargar means to download.

Which Spanish verb should you use to say that a device or machine is working properly?

Use funcionar (e.g., Mi móvil no funciona), never trabajar.

What are some common Spanish phrases used to express the advantages of technology and social media?

Es una herramienta útil (it is a useful tool) and permite compartir información rápidamente (it allows you to share information quickly).

What Spanish terms describe the negative aspects of technology such as cyberbullying and addiction?

El ciberacoso (cyberbullying) and estar enganchado/a (to be hooked/addicted).

Which sophisticated connectives can you use instead of porque to justify opinions in Spanish?

Ya que (since/seeing that), puesto que (since/given that), and debido a que (due to the fact that).

How can you contrast past and present technology habits using the imperfect and present tenses?

Use the Imperfect Tense for past habits and the Present Tense for current habits (e.g., En el pasado, usaba mi portátil raramente, pero ahora uso mi móvil constantemente).

How do you form a Higher Tier complex hypothetical sentence about technology using Si tuviera...?

Combine Si tuviera más tiempo (imperfect subjunctive) with a conditional tense verb (e.g., usaría... / pasaría menos horas frente a la pantalla).

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