Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- contentious /kuhn-TEN-shuhs/
[adjective] – causing or likely to cause disagreement
The proposal to close the old city library created a contentious argument among local residents. - legislation /lej-is-LEY-shuhn/
[noun] – laws or a set of laws made by a government
New legislation was introduced to regulate the use of electric scooters in crowded areas. - exploitation /ek-sploi-TEY-shuhn/
[noun] – the act of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from them
Labor officials investigated the exploitation of migrant workers at several construction sites. - pervasive /per-VEY-siv/
[adjective] – spreading widely throughout an area or group
Concerns about data privacy have become pervasive in modern online communities. - multifaceted /muhl-tee-FAS-i-tid/
[adjective] – having many different parts or aspects
Improving public health is a multifaceted challenge that requires cooperation from multiple sectors.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Australian government confirmed that a national rule will take effect on December 10 to ban children younger than 16 from creating accounts on major social media platforms. The policy will apply across the country and is intended to reduce online risks for minors. The Digital Freedom Project, a Sydney-based advocacy group, filed a constitutional challenge in the High Court claiming that the law limits young people’s right to political communication. Communications Minister Anika Wells stated in Parliament that the government remains committed to the scheduled implementation and that strong parental concerns influenced the decision. The case is being supported by a Sydney law firm on behalf of two 15-year-old students, creating a contentious public debate about the limits of government authority and digital behavior.
Technology companies and government agencies have already begun preparing for enforcement. Meta recently sent notices to thousands of suspected underage Australian users, advising them to download their digital histories and delete accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads before the rule begins. Under the legislation, platforms such as Meta services, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube must take reasonable steps to block under-16 accounts or face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars. Officials argued that the measure is necessary to prevent online harm, including cyberbullying, scams, and exploitation, which have become pervasive issues worldwide. Malaysia recently approved a similar plan for 2026 and is studying electronic age-verification methods that use national identity records. Observers noted that these policies reflect a growing effort to manage a multifaceted digital environment that continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace and requires strong regulatory responses to protect younger users.
Technology companies and government agencies have already begun preparing for enforcement. Meta recently sent notices to thousands of suspected underage Australian users, advising them to download their digital histories and delete accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads before the rule begins. Under the legislation, platforms such as Meta services, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube must take reasonable steps to block under-16 accounts or face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars. Officials argued that the measure is necessary to prevent online harm, including cyberbullying, scams, and exploitation, which have become pervasive issues worldwide. Malaysia recently approved a similar plan for 2026 and is studying electronic age-verification methods that use national identity records. Observers noted that these policies reflect a growing effort to manage a multifaceted digital environment that continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace and requires strong regulatory responses to protect younger users.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever used a social media platform when you were younger than 16? If so, what made you interested in using it? If not, what activities did you enjoy instead?
- Have your parents or teachers ever set rules about your social media use? If so, what rules did they give you? If not, how did you learn to use social media safely?
- Do you agree that banning accounts for children under 16 can reduce online harm?
- What could be the advantages and disadvantages of banning social media accounts for children under 16?
- What responsibilities should governments and families share when protecting minors on the internet?
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.
- government
- social media platform
- advocacy group
- cyberbullying
- unprecedented