Pre-reading questions:
- Do you often use the internet?
- Does too much internet cause any bad effect? In what way?
- About how many hours a day do you use the internet?
It has been a concern for the headmistress of Wensleydale School and Sixth Form College that children were unable to concentrate in lessons because of the internet. For this reason, the headmistress wanted to utilize on mobile phone jamming to hinder the students from getting distracted. The headmistress of Wensleydale School and Sixth Form College was dismayed at student’s preoccupation with their smartphones. A letter was sent to parents by the headmistress, clarifying recent matters and that she had chosen to make a move – blocking the internet at the school.
However, her arrangements were scuppered when she was educated by North Yorkshire County Council’s IT support group and Ofcom that it was a criminal offense. This kind of technology is illegal as it can disrupt emergency and rescue radio services. As stated by a spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council, many schools should deal with the outcome of heavy usage of social media. To resolve the concern, schools had a precaution of closing down the guest wi-fi which has more prominent access to online networking destinations and sent letters to guardians requesting their support in attempting to annihilate unnecessary and harming web-based social networking use in school.
Vocabulary:
hinder – create difficulties for (someone or something)
preoccupation – the state or condition of being preoccupied or engrossed with something
disrupt – interrupt (an event, activity or process) by causing a problem or disturbance
outcome – the way a thing turns out ; a consequence ; end result
annihilate – to destroy
Comprehension Questions:
- What was the main concern of the headmistress of Wensleydale School and Sixth Form College?
- What the headmistress’ plan to block internet access in school?
- Why is a signal jamming device considered as illegal?
- How did the school resolve the concern instead?
Express Your Opinion:
- Do you think the internet is safe for children? Why or why not?
- Do you think it is important for schools to have internet access? Explain.
- They say that internet is an anti-social activity. Do you agree on this? Why or why not?