Shadowing Practice: The landmark verdict that could reshape social media | March 27, 2026 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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What's up, sunshine? Happy Friday. I'm Ky Wire. This is CNN 10, where I simply tell you the what, letting you decide what to think. Let's get you your news.
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What's up, sunshine? Happy Friday. I'm Ky Wire. This is CNN 10, where I simply tell you the what, letting you decide what to think. Let's get you your news.
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We start with the trial and landmark case that could change the landscape of social media. A California jury found Meta and YouTube liable on all counts in the case that accused the tech giants of intentionally addicting a young woman and injuring her mental health. The firstofits-kind decision is being heralded as a milestone moment in the longunning fight over accountability following years of concerns from parents, advocates, and whistleblowers.
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Our Claire Duffy has an update on what this could mean for thousands of similar pending lawsuits. Hello, Claire.
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Hey, Coy. Yeah, big moment in Los Angeles on Wednesday. This is the first time that a jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for knowingly creating addictive platforms that harmed the mental health of a young woman. This case was brought by a now 20-year-old woman named Kaye and her mother. She accused Meta and YouTube of intentionally designing addictive features that got her hooked as a young child and harmed her mental health. And the jury sided with Kaye on all counts in this case. They found that Meta and YouTube knew that their platforms could be harmful, failed to warn of those risks, and played a substantial role in Kayle's mental health challenges. The jury has awarded a combined $6 million in punitive and compensatory damages for companies as big as Meta and YouTube parent company Google. $6 million is kind of a drop in the bucket, but this is just the start. Kayle's was just the first of hundreds of cases to go to trial that have been brought by individuals, families, school districts, state attorneys general. All of that could force these companies to pay out potentially billions of dollars in damages if they keep losing, but also require them to make changes to their platforms. Now, listeners and viewers won't necessarily see those changes right away, but the kinds of things that parents and advocates would like to see change is no more autoplay videos, no more endlessly scrolling feeds on social media, no more beauty filters. Those are the kinds of things that advocates and parents hope could potentially come out of these lawsuits. And certainly they're also hoping that US lawmakers are watching this decision very carefully and that that could motivate them to create some new legislation, some new guard rails for these companies. Now Meta and YouTube do plan to appeal this decision. They say they respectfully disagree. That could dry out this case for potentially months if not years, but certainly an important moment and a first step in terms of sort of shifting, I think, how we think about who is responsible for protecting young people online. Very important moment. We'll keep watching. Koi tech company Open AAI is shutting down its video generating app Sora just months after its release. Pretty sure some of you have used similar apps to create videos like whoever implanted me in this popular rapper walkout scene.
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Come on. Sora gained a lot of buzz after its release in September. But the app also drew criticism from copyright holders since it was widely using intellectual property and the likenesses of celebrities in the videos it generated. Open AAI says it will instead focus on other priorities. A source tells CNN a deal with the Walt Disney Company will not be moving forward due to the change. That deal would have cleared the use of Disney characters in Sora's AI generated videos. The US Postal Service says it's planning to impose a fuel sir charge for the first time ever. It's due to the rising costs amid the war with Iran. The 8% fee set to go into effect April 26th is temporary and only applies to packages, not letter mail. UPS and FedEx already have automatic search charges that kick in when fuel prices go above certain levels. Gas prices are up about a dollar per gallon since the first USIsraeli strikes. The White House has been announcing steps to try to get those prices down. The government's EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, will now loosen its requirements for the summer blend of gas typically sold during peak driving season. It reduces smog, but it's more expensive to make.
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One oil expert tells CNN the move could reduce the average price per gallon by about 13 cents.
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Pop quiz hot shot Humpback Whales are known for their structured vocalizations known as songs. What's the longest song ever observed? 38 seconds, 5 minutes, 20 minutes, or three hours.
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Well, you are good if you said 20 minutes. As far as we know, only males sing for mating displays and to communicate over long distances. In the Baltic Sea, rescuers are racing the clock to make a whale of a rescue. A 30foot juvenile humpback whale got stuck in shallow waters just off Germany's northern coast earlier this week.
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Experts think that this might be the same whale recently spotted in a nearby harbor that already had a net gain after being freed from fishing nets. Rescuers have tried several methods to try to turn the tide, literally from nudging the whale to turn it to using boats to create waves to help push it free. As of this taping, crews are using a dredger and excavator to carefully dig a whalesized trench beside it in hopes it will finally free this marine mammal.
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The whale has been moving. Experts say that they can go approximately a couple of weeks without eating. Let's hope rescuers can give this story a fantastic ending. With the humpback whale finally saying, "See you later." Are you looking to upgrade your personal rock collection? Perhaps a 66 million year old dinosaur skeleton could really triceratops off your decor. A wealthy collector in Singapore has decided to part ways with his. 26-year-old Chawi Yang, a crypto investor, gave CNN a tour of the vault that holds his near-perfect fossilized Triceratops. They call it Trey. For almost three decades, it was on display at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. Now, an auction house owned by Fel Williams is hosting its sale.
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Charles says it was a lifelong dream to own a dinosaur. The appeal is universal.
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There's maybe like 2,500 dinosaur fossils in the world that are 60 or 70% complete. And I think more than half of them are museums already. All of all the alternative assets that I grew up seeing from, you know, wine, art, cars. I think dinosaurs are the most untapped. Not everyone is roaring with approval. Some critics in the paleontology world don't think fossils should be in private hands. This dynamite deal is expected to sell for around 5 million bucks. Auction ends Tuesday, so if you're a big bidder, it's time to bone up. March is Women's History Month, and today we are showcasing an artist whose work was tiny in size, huge in impact. Sarah Biffin became famous in the 1800s for painting incredibly detailed miniature portraits while holding the brush in her teeth.
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Born without arms or legs in England, Biffin taught herself to paint, write, and sew using her mouth. As a child, she performed at fairs where people could watch her inspiring process. It was then that people started recognizing her talent. With support from the Earl of Morton, she trained under a royal painter and went on to paint members of the British royal family. Her work would later be exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts. This self-portrait showing her in the act of painting is believed to be the only one of its kind. Her legacy lives on as an example of determination, creativity, and breaking barriers.
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Today's story getting a 10 out of 10 is gaining ground. No pun intended. Girls flag football is booming in the United States with about 25,000 more players joining last year alone. The sport has also expanded to nearly a thousand additional high schools nationwide, including at Monsenor Mclansancy Memorial High School in Queens, New York with the first and only all girls team in the burrow.
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1 2 3. THE SPORT IN general is the fastest growing sport right now in our country.
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You know, you're going to see it in the Olympics and especially among girls at the collegiate level. That momentum is turning into action as players take the field, sharpen their skills, and further help put girls flag football on the map.
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I really think it's good to motivate young female athletes to play new sports. We are doing great over here. A lot of girls are phenomenal, and women's sports are rising.
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Almost time to do our touchdown dance.
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First though, we have some shout outs.
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This one goes to Mr. Baloo at St.
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Anthony Mission in Zouri, New Mexico.
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Thank you for your comment about our environmental stories and for your inspiring your students to take care of this world. This shout out goes to Mrs.
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Centrella, Mrs.clar, and Miss A at Lincoln School in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Thank you for all of these wonderful notes and uh you are more powerful than you know. Yes, indeed, Debbie. Play that Friday music nod there. Remember that there's no such thing as overnight success. So, as we pursue greatness, remember the Chinese bamboo plant. It remains underground for four years being watered, getting strong. Then bam, in the fifth year, it shoots up 90 feet tall in five weeks.
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Let's keep growing y'all. Have an awesome weekend. I'm Koi Wire and we are CNN 10.
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Hey, Heat.
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About This Lesson

This lesson is centered around a significant legal case concerning social media platforms, specifically Meta and YouTube. The video discusses a California jury's landmark decision that holds these companies liable for intentionally designing addictive features that harm users' mental health. Learners will engage with vocabulary related to legal discussions, technology accountability, and mental health. Key grammar patterns include the use of modals for obligation (e.g., "should," "must") and conditionals that express consequences (e.g., "if... then"). Throughout this lesson, learners will practice speaking in contexts that relate to important societal issues.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Liable - legally responsible for something, particularly in terms of causing harm.
  • Addictive - describing something that is habit-forming or produces a need to engage repeatedly.
  • Punitive damages - compensation awarded to a plaintiff to punish the defendant for unethical behavior.
  • Mental health - a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
  • Advocates - individuals or groups that support or promote a particular cause or policy.
  • Legislation - laws made by a governing body.
  • Whistleblowers - individuals who report unethical or illegal activities within an organization.
  • Guard rails - regulations or guidelines designed to ensure safety and accountability.

Practice Tips for This Video

To maximize your English speaking practice using this video, try the following tips:

  • Shadowing Technique: Listen carefully to the speaker's rhythm and intonation. Repeat phrases immediately after hearing them to mimic pronunciation and pacing. This will improve your overall fluency and speaking clarity.
  • Focus on Speed and Clarity: The speaker maintains a moderate pace which is beneficial for learners. Pay attention to how they articulate complex vocabulary and practice these words by breaking them into syllables if needed.
  • Engage with the Topic: Since the content revolves around legal issues and societal impacts, take notes on your personal opinions regarding social media. This will help you develop cogent arguments for speaking practice, improving your IELTS speaking potential.
  • Practice with Context: Discuss the implications of social media's impact on mental health with a partner or in a speaking group. This real-world application will build confidence and improve your conversational skills.
  • Repeat Specific Sections: If a part of the video contains particularly challenging phrases, replay it several times and practice until you feel comfortable using similar language in different contexts.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

How to Practice Effectively on ShadowingEnglish

  1. Choose your video: Pick a YouTube video with clear, natural English speech. TED Talks, BBC News, movie scenes, podcasts, or IELTS sample answers all work great. Paste the URL into the search bar. Start with shorter videos (under 5 minutes) and content you find genuinely interesting — motivation matters.
  2. Listen first, understand the context: On your first pass, keep the speed at 1x and just listen. Don't try to repeat yet. Focus on understanding the meaning, picking up new vocabulary, and noticing how the speaker stresses words, links sounds, and uses pauses.
  3. Set up Shadowing mode:
    • Wait Mode: Choose +3s or +5s — after each sentence plays, the video pauses automatically so you have time to repeat it out loud. Choose Manual if you want full control and press Next yourself after each repetition.
    • Sub Sync: YouTube subtitles sometimes appear slightly ahead or behind the audio. Use ±100ms to align them perfectly so you can follow along accurately.
  4. Shadow out loud (the core practice): This is where the real work happens. As soon as a sentence plays — or during the pause — repeat it out loud, clearly and confidently. Don't just mouth the words: mirror the speaker's exact rhythm, stress, pitch, and connected speech. Aim to sound like a shadow of the speaker, not just a word-by-word recitation. Use the Repeat feature to drill the same sentence multiple times until it feels natural.
  5. Scale up the challenge: Once a passage feels comfortable, push your limits. Increase speed to <code>1.25x</code> or even <code>1.5x</code> to train high-speed language reflexes. Or set Wait Mode to <code>Off</code> for continuous shadowing — the most advanced and rewarding mode. Consistent daily practice of 15–30 minutes will produce noticeable results within weeks.

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