1 . While most coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi connections to get more customers, Offline Club, a pop-up cafe in Amsterdam, offers a different connection where a Wi-Fi signal is unnecessary. Upon entering, its members leave their devices behind, grab a coffee, and enjoy a 90s’ atmosphere.
Ilya Kneppelhout, who started the Offline Club, said that the club is for people overwhelmed by their busy lives and constant notifications, according to Inside Edition. He added that their members want to cut down on their social media and screen time and focus on in-person connections — a simple idea, but participants enjoy it.
One of their members said, “being with the club makes you feel present in a way you didn’t expect”. “It felt a bit like travelling in time and made me feel nostalgic (怀旧) about the way bars and cafes used to be because nowadays, those are places we’re only going to with friends and people we already know and spend time doing digital things like work,” another member added.
The founders believe this concept could work in other cities, too. Kneppelhout stated that they want to spread the idea worldwide. “Right now, we’re getting together with a franchising concept, and we hope to have offline detox events in the entire world for people to reconnect,” he said.
Meanwhile, the internet and computers are deeply integrated into our lives. Being addicted to the internet can hurt you in different ways, both in body and emotions. Given this, the digital detox provided by the Offline Club could be helpful for individuals who feel they spend too much time online. It’s a chance to reduce stress and focus more on talking to people. It also helps stop us from becoming too reliant on technology. Ultimately, a digital detox is about stepping back to connect with what really matters.
1. Why did Ilya Kneppelhout start the Offline Club?| A．To ease life pressure. | B．To refuse social media. |
| C．To attract more customers. | D．To encourage real interaction. |
| A．Content with the club. | B．Enthusiastic about the club. |
| C．Tired of the visit to the club. | D．Scared of the club’s atmosphere. |
| A．People in the club deny real bonds. | B．He expects the world can reconnect. |
| C．People have been disturbed by the club. | D．The club has been a hit in other cities. |
| A．Avoiding online communication. | B．Resisting the use of digital device. |
| C．Taking a break from the Internet. | D．Surfing the Internet for information. |
2 . How to Protect Against Undue Influence Online
The potential for undue influence has become increasingly significant in this era of digital interconnectivity. Undue influence can affect our perceptions and influence our decisions. It may even end anger our autonomy (自主) and mental health.
Understand what undue influence is
The first step to protecting yourself is understanding what undue influence is. Undue influence refers to a situation in which an individual or group employs unreasonable control over another person’s behavior information, thoughts, and emotions.
Develop media literacy skills
In an age of fake news, it is crucial to develop media literacy skills.
Delete as much data as you can about yourself. Be mindful of what information you share online, and always ensure that your online activities are secured through reliable sources. Review all policies on platforms, especially “free” ones. If you aren’t paying, then you are the product, as in many cases, they are selling your data.
By including these steps into your digital life, you can protect yourself from undue influence in the online world, ensuring that you can think and act independently, free from ill control.
| A．Prioritize privacy |
| B．Be mindful of free ones |
| C．It’s vital to have a health y Internet and real-life balance. |
| D．In the digital world, undue influence can take many forms. |
| E．Everyone deserves the right to live free from undue influence. |
| F．They involve analyzing, evaluating, and creating media in various forms. |
| G．Here are some essential strategies for you to protect yourself online from undue influence. |
