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Reading:B1
Digital habits acrossgenerations
Read an article about how people at different ages use computers and smartphones to
practise and improve your reading skills.
Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.
Preparation task
Match the definitions (1–8) with the vocabulary (a–h).
Vocabulary Definitions
1. H - to miss outon
a. websites and apps like Facebook, Twitter andInstagram
2. E - addiction
b. in a funny or strange way because it’sunexpected
3. G - constantly
c. differentfrom
4. D - be cut offfrom
d. to not get the benefitsof
5. C - unlike
e. needing something too much or in an unhealthyway
6. A - socialmedia
f. peoplewhoarethefirsttobuyorusenewtechnology
7. B ironically
g. all the time without abreak
8. F - earlyadopters
h. to have no accessto
Reading text: Digital habits across generations
Today’s grandparents are joining their grandchildren on social media, but the different
generations’ online habits couldn’t be more different. The over-55s are joining Facebook in
increasing numbers, meaning that they will soon be the site’s second biggest user group, with
3.5 million users aged 55–64 and 2.9 million over-65s.
Sheila,aged59,says,‘Ijoinedtoseewhatmygrandchildrenaredoing,asmydaughterposts videos
and photos of them. It’s a much better way to see what they’re doing than waiting for letters
and photos in the post. That’s how we did it when I was a child, but I think I’m lucky I get to see
so much more of their lives than my grandparentsdid.’
Ironically, Sheila’s grandchildren are less likely to use Facebook themselves. Children under
17 are leaving the site – only 2.2 million users are under 17 – but they’re not going far from
theirsmartphones.Chloe,aged15,evensleepswithherphone.‘It’smyalarmclocksoIhave
to,’shesays.‘IlookatitbeforeIgotosleepandassoonasIwakeup.’
Unlike her grandmother’s generation, Chloe’s age group is spending so much time on their
phones at home that they are missing out on spending time with their friends in real life.
Sheila, on the other hand, has made contact with old friends from school she hasn’t heard
from in forty years. ‘We use Facebook to arrange to meet all over the country,’ she says. ‘It’s
changed my social life completely.’
Teenagers might have their parents to thank for their smartphone and social media addiction
as their parents were the early adopters of the smartphone. Peter, 38 and father of two
teenagers, reports that he used to be on his phone or laptop constantly. ‘I was always
connected and I felt like I was always working,’ he says. ‘How could I tell my kids to get off
theirphonesifIwasalwaysinfrontofascreenmyself?’So,intheeveningsandatweekends,
hetakeshisSIMcardoutofhissmartphoneandputsitintoanold-stylemobilephonethatcan only make
calls and send text messages. ‘I’m not completely cut off from the world in case of
emergencies, but the important thing is I’m setting a better example to my kids and spending
more quality time withthem.’
Is it only a matter of time until the generation above and below Peter catches up with the new
trend for a less digital life?
Tasks
Task 1
Are the sentences true or false?
Answer
1. More people aged 55 or more use Facebook than people aged 65 or True False
more.
2. Grandparents typically use Facebook less than their grandchildren. True False
3. Sheila feels grateful to social media. True False
4. Peter found his own smartphone use affected how he felt about how much True False
his children used their phones.
5. Peter has changed how much he uses his phone during the working day. True False
6. Peter feels that the changes make him a better parent. True False
Task 2
Write the phrases in the correct group.
are returning to older like to keep their phones near
are less keen on Facebook
technology them
use social media to find old were the first generation to feelluckytohavetheinternet
friends get smartphones in theirlives
Teens Grandparents Parents
Are less on facebook Use social media to find pld frieds Were the first generation to
get smartphones
like to keep their phones near them feel lucky to have the internet in Are less keen on facebook
their lives
Discussion
Who uses their phone the most among your family or friends?
My frieds constanly used phone then my family
All, except grandparents
