B2 – Upper Intermediate
Social media has become an ubiquitous part of modern life, especially for teenagers who have grown up with it. While there are many benefits to social media, such as the ability to connect with friends and family, share information and experiences, and discover new interests, there are also potential risks and negative consequences, such as cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to harmful content. Remember that social media can be a positive and an enriching experience for your child when used responsibly and in moderation.
But how can you guide your child in navigating the digital world safely and confidently? How do you remain informed and involved in their browsing habits? How can you take an active role in your teen girls’ social media use to help ensure that they experience the many benefits of these platforms while also mitigating the potential risks and harms?
To learn more, follow the link and read the full article.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parents-teens-social-media_l_6425a1ece4b01284198bd05b
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does ”spectrum of experiences” mean, “Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician who runs the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, told HuffPost he’s seen other surveys that showed the same spectrum of experiences.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
- What does ”to sift through sth” mean, ”How are we supposed to sift through the various positive and negative possibilities contained in our kids’ smartphones and figure out what course of action is best?” Use this in your own sentence.
- What does ”digital natives” mean, “Our kids are digital natives and can figure out a way around pretty much any control setting when they put their minds to it.”? Use this term in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some specific risks associated with social media use for teenagers?
- How can you encourage your teens to communicate with you about their social media experiences?
- How can you monitor your teens’ social media use without infringing their privacy?
- What are some signs that a teen may be experiencing negative consequences of social media use, such as addiction or cyberbullying?
- How can you model positive social media behavior for your teens? Please share.
- What are some strategies for helping teens develop digital literacy skills? Please provide more details.