B2 – Upper Intermediate
Recent research indicates that adolescents who engage in passive scrolling on screens for more than two hours daily are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety and emotional or behavioral issues. This suggests that the way teens interact with digital media can significantly impact their mental health.
For a detailed exploration of this study, you can read the full article here:
https://www.psypost.org/passive-scrolling-linked-to-increased-anxiety-in-teens-study-finds/
Vocabulary Questions
- What does “coping strategy” mean? “Adolescents’ screen use rose dramatically during the pandemic, both out of necessity and as a coping strategy during periods of social isolation.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does the adjective “pronounced” mean in the sentence, “Although weekend screen use also showed associations with mental health problems, the patterns were less pronounced.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “recall bias” mean? “Because it was based on self-report data collected online, the accuracy of participants’ responses could be influenced by recall bias or social desirability.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions
- How might passive scrolling contribute to increased anxiety in teenagers?
- What are some strategies adolescents can use to limit passive screen time?
- How do you think the quality of screen time (passive vs. active use) affects mental health differently?
- What role do parents and educators play in managing teens’ screen time to promote better mental health?
- Have you noticed any personal changes in mood or behavior related to your screen time habits? Talk about it.