Meta to allow teens access VR app Horizon despite mental health concerns, faces backlash

admin 2023年5月24日

Intermediate

business news, business news - intermediate

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Have you tried using virtual apps? Tell me more about it.
Do you think teenagers should be allowed to access virtual reality applications? Why or why not?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

aspect /AS-pekt/

[noun] – one part of a situation, problem, subject, etc.
One important aspect of learning a new language is developing a good understanding of its grammar and sentence structure.

measure /MEZH-er/

[noun] – a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation
The government implemented measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

critic /KRIT-ik/

[noun] – someone who says that they do not approve of someone or something
Despite the mixed reactions from critics, the new album was well-received by fans and quickly climbed the charts.

data /DEY-tuh/

[noun] – information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and used by a computer
The company analyzed the data from its customer surveys to identify areas for improvement in its products and services.

social media /SOH-shuhl MEE-dee-uh/

[noun] – websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or mobile phone
She uses social media to connect with her friends and family, share updates about her life, and promote her small business.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Meta, the company behind Horizon Worlds, a virtual reality app, plans to allow teenagers aged 13 and above in the US and Canada to use it, despite concerns expressed by lawmakers and NGOs about its potential negative effects on their mental health. Horizon Worlds is an important aspect of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the next generation of the internet, which enables people to socialize in virtual spaces. Meta claims that it has collaborated with parents and experts to create safer measures, but critics argue that it still poses privacy risks, false advertising, and bullying. The company says it will make young users’ profiles and activities less visible to others and will classify virtual spaces according to the age group for which they are intended.

NGOs have voiced concerns over the risks associated with Meta’s VR apps, such as the collection of biometric data and other information, misleading ads, and possible anxiety and depression. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and is considering hiring psychologists. FTC commissioner Alvaro Bedoya acknowledges that certain social media can harm some teenagers and children.

Comprehension questions

I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.

What is Horizon Worlds?
What does Meta plan to do regarding its use by teenagers in the US and Canada?
What is Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the next generation of the internet, and how does Horizon Worlds fit into it?
What are some of the risks associated with Meta’s VR apps, according to NGOs?
What does the US Federal Trade Commission do to address the impact of social media on young people’s mental health?

Discussion questions