S2 Thematic Anthology Unit 22 'Always On' Culture

S2 Thematic Anthology Unit 22 'Always On' Culture

By MISS FRONIA CHENG

Part 1: Stop phubbing!

How often do you do these things?

Pre-reading task

Poll

I spend... on my mobile phone.

• One hour every day

• One to three hours every day

• Three to five hours every day

• More than five hours every day

Poll

I use a video-sharing site e.g. YouTube every day,

• Of course! Who doesn't?

• No, I am too busy to do that...

Open Ended

What is the last video you watched on a video-sharing site?

Poll

How many messages (e.g. text, WhatsApp, IG) do you send on average every day?

• 0-5

• 5-10

• 11-30

• Over 30

Open Ended

Type the emoji that you most often use in text messages.

Poll

How often do you post updates and photos on social media?

• Every day

• Once every few days

• Once a week

• Once a month

• I do not share my life with the world

Poll

I use my smartphone when I'm in the bathroom.

• True

• False

Poll

I will feel bored or lonely if I leave home without my mobile phone.

• True

• False

Poll

I think my smartphone has too much power over my life.

• Strongly agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly disagree

Poll

Do you get anxious if there is no Internet connection for your smartphone?

• Yes

• No

Poll

Do you worry when your device is low on battery and there is no mobile charger nearby?

• Yes

• No

Poll

Do you keep checking your phone while hanging out with your friends?

• Yes

• No

​If your answers to all the above questions are ‘yes’, you might be addicted to your smartphone and you might also be guilty of ‘phubbing’.

​Anxious (adj.)

When you feel extremely worried or stressed.

What is the noun form of 'anxious'?

​Anxious (adj.)

When you feel extremely worried or stressed.

What is the noun form of 'anxious'?

Anxiety

When you are dependent on an unhealthy thing for your happiness​

What sorts of things can people be addicted to?​

​Addicted (adj.)

​alcohol

​cigarettes

​drugs

​Guilty of = when you have done something wrong / broken the law​

What is the opposite of 'guilty'?

​Guilty of = when you have done something wrong / broken the law​

What is the opposite of 'guilty'?

Innocent

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the symptoms of smartphone addiction mentioned in paragraph 1 of the magazine article?

• feeling anxious when your phone battery is running out

• feeling worried if your phone cannot access the Internet

• always wanting to buy the newest phone

• checking your phone all the time

Phubbing itself is a sign of smartphone addiction. The term was coined in 2013 to describe the act of snubbing someone in a social setting by looking at your phone instead of paying attention. People who phub claim that they want to keep in touch with their friends online, but ironically, by phubbing, they are hindering their relationships offline.​

​Snubbing (v.)

​To ignore someone who is trying to be friendly to you.

Open Ended

What word would you use to describe snubbing or 'phubbing'?

Ironically (adv.)

A situation is ironic when the outcome is the opposite of what you intend or expect.

​People who phub claim that they want to keep in touch with their friends online, but ironically, by phubbing, they are hindering their relationships offline.​

Hindering (v.)

Limiting or reducing someone's ability

According to a recent survey, Hongkongers made it to the Top 10 travellers who are least willing to break away from their mobile devices while on holiday, only beaten by Thai, South Korean and Japanese travelers who top the chart. Another survey reveals that 53% of the 1,107 smartphone users interviewed fear that they would feel isolated if they leave their phones at home. A total of 55% feel that smartphones are dominating their lives while 48% admit the use of smartphones in the bathroom.​

​Isolated (adj.)​

​Separated from other people or other friends

​Dominating (v.)​

If something is dominating your life, it has too much power over your life and is controlling you. ​

​For many of us, smartphones have become ‘tyrants’ who dictate our lives. We do not give our body and mind enough rest, so we always feel tired and stressed.

​

People are beginning to realize the dangers of smartphone addiction and apps have been developed to monitor our mobile usage. However, to break free of the ‘always on’ culture, we ought to remember that mobile devices are there to help facilitate our daily lives, not to take over all of our time. We must learn to let go of our smartphones sometimes and enjoy more face-to-face time with our family and friends.