Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- ubiquitous /yoo-BIK-wi-tuhs/
- unleash /uhn-LEESH /
- sin /sin/
- conclusive /kuhn-KLOO-siv/
- susceptible /suh-SEP-tuh-buhl/
[adjective] – seeming to be everywhere
Coffee shops are ubiquitous these days.
[verb] – to let happen or begin something powerful that, once begun, cannot be controlled
The war could unleash unstoppable political and economic changes.
[noun] – the offense of breaking, or the breaking of, a religious or moral law
One sin opens the door for another.
[adjective] – proving that something is true, or ending any doubt:
The evidence is not conclusive.
[adjective] – easily influenced or harmed by something
Children are more susceptible than adults.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
It is a modern dilemma. Should you give your child a smartphone or try to keep them as far away from technology as possible?
Up to 91% of 11-year-olds now own a smartphone, making them almost ubiquitous among kids. But do kids who don’t have phones miss out or gain unexpected advantages? You might understand if, as a parent, you thought of a smartphone as a type of Pandora’s box that could unleash all the world’s sins on the good life of your child. Anyone would want to opt out after reading the dizzying assortment of headlines about the potential effects of children’s phone and social media use. It seems that this contemporary parenting issue affects even famous people. Madonna has admitted that she would never again give her older children phones when they were 13 years old. On the other hand, you presumably own a phone yourself and view it as a necessary tool for daily living, including video calls, family photo albums, and online shopping. Will your child miss out if they don’t have a phone if their peers and classmates are all getting one? In particular, even though there isn’t conclusive proof that having a phone or accessing social media is bad for kids’ well-being in general, it may not be the whole picture. Recent findings indicate that there may be specific developmental phases during which children are more susceptible to negative outcomes.
Although there are still many unanswered issues regarding how social media and cell phones will affect kids and teenagers in the long run, the study that has already been done shows some of the primary risks and advantages.
Up to 91% of 11-year-olds now own a smartphone, making them almost ubiquitous among kids. But do kids who don’t have phones miss out or gain unexpected advantages? You might understand if, as a parent, you thought of a smartphone as a type of Pandora’s box that could unleash all the world’s sins on the good life of your child. Anyone would want to opt out after reading the dizzying assortment of headlines about the potential effects of children’s phone and social media use. It seems that this contemporary parenting issue affects even famous people. Madonna has admitted that she would never again give her older children phones when they were 13 years old. On the other hand, you presumably own a phone yourself and view it as a necessary tool for daily living, including video calls, family photo albums, and online shopping. Will your child miss out if they don’t have a phone if their peers and classmates are all getting one? In particular, even though there isn’t conclusive proof that having a phone or accessing social media is bad for kids’ well-being in general, it may not be the whole picture. Recent findings indicate that there may be specific developmental phases during which children are more susceptible to negative outcomes.
Although there are still many unanswered issues regarding how social media and cell phones will affect kids and teenagers in the long run, the study that has already been done shows some of the primary risks and advantages.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How old were you when you first had a cellphone? Could you tell me about it?
- Based on your experience, what were the advantages of having a cell phone as a kid?
- Would you buy your son or daughter a cellphone? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that children are more susceptible to negative outcomes?
- Do you believe that kids who don’t have phones miss out on a lot? Why or why not?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- dilemma
- technology
- unexpected
- affect
- outcome