A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What role does social media primarily serve in the context of socialization?

1. It serves as a distraction

2. It acts as a support group

3. It functions as an agency of socialization

4. It encourages isolation

The correct answer is: It functions as an agency of socialization

Social media primarily functions as an agency of socialization because it is a key platform through which individuals interact and learn the norms, values, and behaviors relevant to their society. It provides users with a space where they can connect with others, share experiences, and engage in discussions that contribute to their understanding of social roles and expectations. This engagement helps facilitate identity formation and the reinforcement of social norms, thereby playing a fundamental role in the socialization process. In contrast to this, while social media can occasionally act as a distraction, that does not capture its primary role in socialization. It can create support networks, but these are just one aspect of its broader socializing function. Additionally, the notion of encouraging isolation overlooks the connectivity that social media fosters among users, which is often contrary to feelings of being isolated.