UK survey shows almost half of kids don’t want the internet
Listen to the story (American accent)
A new survey asked young people about the internet. Many young people do not want the internet.
The survey asked people aged 16 to 21. 70% of them feel sad after using social media. Half of them want to stop using apps after 10 PM. Also, 46% wish they didn’t have the internet.
25% of young people use social media for four hours or more every day. Some kids lie to their parents about using the internet. Some kids lie about their age. Some kids have a secret name, and some kids act like a different person on the internet.
Some people say companies and the government must make websites safer.
More than 1,200 young people answered the survey. Some of them told strangers where they are.
Many young people used the internet more because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people think it was bad for them.
Young people want companies to keep them safe. People think that we need new rules for a safe internet.
Vocabulary16 words
- Survey
- a poll or questionnaire; a set of questions for the public to understand opinion; a study of something, usually by collecting and analyzing data in order to learn more about it
- Social media
- Websites and apps that allow people to communicate and share information online (Facebook, X, TikTok, etc.)
- Half
- ½; 50%; one of two equal parts
- App (application)
- computer software/program, especially for smartphones and tablets
- Wish
- A desire or hope for something to happen; something you want or dream about
- Lie
- To say something that is not true
- Secret
- information that is kept hidden or unknown; confidential; classified; information you shouldn’t tell other people
- Act
- to do something or behave in a certain way
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Safe
- not in danger; where you cannot get hurt; not dangerous
- Answer
- to respond or react to a phone call, email, letter or question; to reply; to say something after someone asks a question
- Stranger
- A person you do not know
- COVID-19
- Coronavirus; a sickness/illness that spread around the world and made many people sick
- Pandemic
- when a disease or sickness goes all over the country or world
- Keep safe
- to protect someone or something so they do not get hurt; to defend; to save
- Rule
- A guideline or regulation; sometimes a law; A guide that tells us what we should or shouldn’t do
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new _____ asked young people about the internet. _____ young people do not want the internet.
The survey asked _____ aged 16 to 21. 70% of them feel sad after using social _____ . Half of them want to stop using apps after _____ PM. Also, 46% wish they didn’t have the _____ .
25% of young people use social media for _____ hours or more every day. Some kids lie to their _____ about using the internet. Some _____ lie about their age. Some kids have a secret name, and _____ kids act like a different person on the _____ .
Some people say _____ and the government must make websites safer.
More than _____ young people answered the survey. Some of _____ told strangers where they are.
Many _____ people used the internet more because of the COVID-19 pandemic. _____ people think it was bad for them.
Young people want _____ to keep them safe. People think that we _____ new rules for a safe internet.
Discussion questions
- Many young people feel sad after using social media. Why do you think this happens?
- Some young people want to stop using apps after 10 PM. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
- The text says some kids lie about what they do online. Why do you think they do this?
- Do you think companies and the government should make websites safer for young people? How can they do this?
- Some young people shared their location with strangers. Is this a safe thing to do? Why or why not?
- The text says new rules might be needed for a safer internet. What kind of rules do you think are important?
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