It’s 10:30 pm, and 11-year-old Brandon Blanco is sound asleep at home. Suddenly, a loud noise wakes him up. Naturally, Brandon reaches for his cell phone. The message becomes clear: “R U awake?”
Brandon’s use of technology doesn’t stop there. He also has a computer, a TV and three video-game consoles (控制台) in his room. With so many choices, it’s no surprise that when he isn’t at school, he spends nearly every waking minute using one or more of these devices.
Brandon is hardly alone. According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids aged 8 to18 are spending more time than ever before using electronic devices. How much time? More than seven and a half hours a day on average, the study found.
The jump is the result of a huge explosion in mobile devices, says Victoria Rideout, the lead author of the study. Today, nearly seven out of ten kids have cell phones. Just five years ago, it was four out of ten.
Often, kids multitask, or use more than one device at a time. “If you’ve got a chance to do something on your computer and take a phone call and have the TV on in the background, why not?” media expert Cheryl Olson says.
Most experts agree technology has much to offer kids. But some worry the kids could be missing out on other activities like playing outside or hanging out with friends. “It’s a matter of balance,” says Olson.
Multitasking while doing homework is another concern. Some kids listen to music, watch TV or use the phone while doing their homework. “It’s important to make sure that you can stop and concentrate on one thing deeply,” says Rideout.
With new and exciting devices hitting stores every year, keeping technology use in check is more important than ever. “Kids should try,” adds Rideout. “But parents might have to step in sometimes.”
4. The text is mainly about kids’ ________.
A.using electronic device | B.various hobbies |
C.favorite video games | D.cell phone uses |
5. What can we learn from the text?
A.Many teenagers lack friends in middle school. |
B.Olson is against teenagers’ using mobile phones. |
C.Brandon feels annoyed about his late-night messages. |
D.Kids have too many electronic devices to choose from. |
6. Which can replace the underline phrase “in check”?
A.In order. | B.In store. | C.In control. | D.In sight. |
7. Rideout would probably agree that parents should.
A.stop kids from using devices |
B.tell kids to use devices properly |
C.ask kids to focus more on their homework |
D.open up more opportunities for kids to use media |