Britain contemplates a social media crackdown for under-16s amid growing concerns

admin 2024年3月20日

Beginner

world news, world news - beginner

Pre-reading questions:

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

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Do you always use social media to share personal updates or experiences with friends and family?
Is there strict regulation of social media use in your country?

Vocabulary:

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

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

approach /uh-PROHCH/

[verb] – to come near or nearer to something or someone in space, time, quality, or amount
As the weekend approaches, people plan various activities to enjoy their time off.

broad /brawd/

[adjective] – very wide
The museum’s collection is broad, featuring art from various cultures and time periods.

control /kuhn-TROHL/

[noun] – the ability or power to decide or strongly influence the particular way in which something will happen or someone will behave, or the condition of having such ability or power
The CEO’s control directed the company’s strategy, demonstrating her influential decision-making.

confirm /kuhn-FURM/

[verb] – to verify or establish the accuracy, truth, or validity of something
The teacher asked the students to confirm their names by raising their hands.

access /AK-ses/

[noun] – the ability or right to approach, use, or obtain something
The library provides free access to a vast collection of books and research materials.

Article reading:

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

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

As the new year approaches, Britain is making strong efforts to ensure the safety of young teenagers using social media. This initiative comes after the recent introduction of the Online Safety Act in October, a set of laws designed to make online platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, safer for children. These regulations are broad, requiring platforms to improve controls against illegal content and establish strong age verification measures to confirm users’ ages.

Major social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat have a minimum age requirement of 13, but the British government is exploring stricter measures. Talks include the potential for a comprehensive crackdown on social media access for those under 16, with considerations for outright bans. Science Minister Andrew Griffith underscores the government’s commitment to finding a delicate balance, aiming to preserve freedoms while empowering parents with more control over their children’s online experiences. This approach reflects dedication to creating a digital environment that is both free and safe for young individuals, acknowledging the changing online landscape and the need to protect adolescents’ well-being in our dynamic digital world.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

The efforts to ensure the safety of young teenagers on social media in Britain are decreasing as the new year approaches.
The Online Safety Act, introduced in October, aims to make online platforms like Instagram and YouTube less safe for children.
The regulations mentioned in the article are narrow, focusing on specific issues rather than being comprehensive.
Major social media platforms already have a minimum age requirement of 16 for users, according to the article.
Science Minister Andrew Griffith emphasizes the government’s commitment to giving children unlimited access to social media without any restrictions.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

approaches

broad

control

confirm

access

In order to maintain order during the event, the organizers had to __________ the crowd and ensure everyone followed the rules.
Only authorized personnel are granted __________ to the secure server room.
As the deadline __________, students are encouraged to finalize their research projects and submit them on time.
The airline sent an email to passengers to __________ their flight reservations and provide additional details about the upcoming trip.
The professor provided a __________ overview of the topic, touching on various aspects to give students a comprehensive understanding.