Table of Contents
A new survey shows that many young people wish the internet did not exist.
The study included young people aged 16 to 21. About 70% of them feel bad after using social media. Half of them would like a “digital curfew.” This means they cannot use certain apps or websites after 10 PM. Also, 46% said they would prefer to be young without any internet.
One-fourth of the young people spend four or more hours on social media each day. About 42% lied to their parents about what they do online.
When online, 42% lied about their age. 40% had a secret account. And 27% pretended to be someone else.
These results came after a government official in the UK talked about making new laws for apps like TikTok and Instagram.
Child safety expert Rani Govender says that digital curfews are helpful. But she also says they are not enough to keep children safe online. Other actions are also needed. She explained that children can still see dangerous things at other times of the day.
Govender also said that companies and the government should focus on making websites safer and less addictive for children.
1,293 young people did the survey. It also showed that 27% shared their location online with strangers.
The study also showed that three-fourths of young people spent more time online because of the pandemic. And 68% felt that time online was bad for their mental health.
Andy Burrows, from the Molly Rose Foundation, said young people know the dangers online. He said they want tech companies to protect them. He believes new laws are needed to make the internet safer.
Vocabulary
- 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
- Show – to prove something or make the truth or existence of something known; confirm; demonstrate; to display; to represent
- Wish – A desire or hope for something to happen; something you want or dream about
- Exist – to be in the world; to be real; “is”
- Study – the activity of examining/studying something in detail to discover new information; research; investigation
- Include – to contain; incorporate; to be part of; to have something smaller as a part of it; come with
- 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
- Digital – using numbers and codes in a system or computer to make things happen; Using computers or technology to store or process information
- Curfew – a rule that says when you must be home, or you must stop doing something
- Certain – specific; particular; not just any;
- App (application) – computer software/program, especially for smartphones and tablets
- Prefer – To like one thing more than another
- One-fourth – ¼; one-quarter; .25; One part out of four equal parts
- Spend – to use time or money on something
- 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
- Account – a user’s profile/page on social media or internet service; something used to access and participate in social media or use an internet service
- Pretend – to make-believe or act like something that you are not
- Result – outcome; findings; conclusion; answer;
- 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
- Official – a person who works for the government or a government company and has power or authority; officer; executive
- Law – a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
- Expert – a person with a lot of knowledge and experience in a trade, job or profession
- Enough – Having what is needed or sufficient; plenty; a good amount; abundant
- Action – Something that someone does; a thing done; an act; a move; the process of doing something
- Focus – pay attention to; concentrate on; look at closely
- Addictive – When something is very hard to stop doing because it makes you feel really good and you want to do it all the time; unable to stop doing something
- Share – to tell someone or people about something; to make public; to announce; to give to other people
- Location – an area; a place; a fixed place or position in space; where something is
- Stranger – A person you do not know
- Three-fourths – ¾; three-quarters; .75; Three parts out of four equal parts
- Pandemic – when a disease or sickness goes all over the country or world
- Mental health – the health or status of our emotions,thoughts, and feelings; the health or condition of our mind
- Tech company (technology) – a company that makes new technology or software; a company with digital services or products
- Protect – To keep something safe; to defend something
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- Do you think a “digital curfew” is a good idea for young people? Why or why not?
- Why do you think young people might lie about their age or have a secret account online?
- What are some good things about the internet? What are some bad things?
- How can parents or guardians help young people use the internet safely?
- Do you agree that tech companies should do more to protect young people online? What more could they do?
- How has the pandemic changed the way people use the internet?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
A new _____ shows that many young people wish the internet did not _____ .
The study included _____ people aged 16 to 21. About 70% of them feel bad after using social _____ . Half of them would like a “digital curfew.” _____ means they cannot not use certain apps or websites after _____ PM. Also, 46% said they would prefer to be young _____ any internet.
One-fourth of the young _____ spend four or more hours on social media each day. About _____ % lied to their parents about what they do _____ .
When online, 42% lied about their age. _____ % had a secret account. And 27% pretended to be someone _____ .
These results came after a government _____ in the UK talked about making new laws for apps _____ TikTok and Instagram.
Child safety expert Rani Govender says that _____ curfews are helpful. But she also says they are not enough to keep children safe _____ . Other actions are also needed. She _____ that children can still see dangerous things at other times of the _____ .
Govender also said that companies and the _____ should focus on making websites safer and less addictive for _____ .
1,293 young people did the survey. _____ also showed that 27% shared their location online with strangers.
The _____ also showed that three-fourths of young people spent more _____ online because of the pandemic. And _____ % felt that time online was bad for their mental _____ .
Andy Burrows, from the Molly Rose Foundation, _____ young people know the dangers online. He said they want _____ companies to protect them. He believes new laws are needed to _____ the internet safer.
