B2 – Upper Intermediate
Digital parenting involves using technology to monitor, guide, and support children’s online activities. While it offers benefits like increased safety and better communication, it also raises concerns about privacy, trust, and overdependence on digital tools. Understanding the pros and cons can help parents find the right balance in today’s connected world.
Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to keep an eye on someone” mean? “Research suggests at least 40% of parents in the UK use a GPS tracking app to keep an eye on their kids.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “to have a way around” mean? “If he ever puts a guideline and he says, “Oh, don’t go on this website, or if it’s like Instagram and I want to go on Instagram, there will always be a way around.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “circumvent” mean? “Tech-savvy teens sometimes try to circumvent parental control settings to access restricted apps or websites.” Make a sentence using the word. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the main benefits of digital parenting for both children and parents?
- How can digital parenting affect the trust between parents and children?
- In what ways can digital parenting prepare children for responsible technology use?
- What are the potential downsides or risks of relying too heavily on digital tools to parent?
- How can parents balance supervision and independence when it comes to screen time and online activity?
- Should schools play a role in teaching digital responsibility, or is that solely the parents’ job?