Skills 4 Reading 1 (Unit 8)

Ms. Beason’s post on social media

• was shared nearly 300,000 times.

• was ignored by the international news media.

   

• included a drawing by one of her students.

In discussions about Ms. Beason’s post,

• parents promised to change their behavior so their children would be happier.

• it became apparent that many other teachers had noticed this problem

• one teacher noted that all her students said their parents spend more time on social media than with them

A Harvard Business School study of managers’ smartphone use found

• 51 percent continuously check their phone even when on vacation.

• 70 percent check their phone within an hour of getting up.

• 56 percent get one hour less sleep a night because of their phone.

When discussing smartphone use, researchers

• feel it is acceptable to use your phone for emergencies while driving.

• generally agree that dependency is a serious issue.

• are hesitant to use the word “addiction” to describe smartphone use

Smartphone dependency is backed up by data such as

• in the United Kingdom, adults spend more than two hours a day on their phone.

• many people use their phone while driving, which is unsafe.

• in the United States, adults spend more than four hours a day on their phone

A YouGov survey also indicates smartphone dependency. It found more than half of the adult population

• feel anxiety when they can’t access their phone.

• exhibit dysfunctional behavior if they don’t have their phone.

• exhibit withdrawal symptoms after one hour without their phone

Lisa Kleinman’s term “absent presence” refers to checking your smartphone in inappropriate situations such as when you are

• worried about your children.

• on a date.

• in a meeting.

The reading discusses a number of strategies for reducing smartphone use; for example,

• buying an alarm clock.

• leaving your phone at home when you go out.

• removing distracting apps from your home screen.

Further strategies discussed in the reading include

• using a tracking app to monitor the number of times you use your smartphone.

• turning off notifications.

• turning down the brightness of the phone, making it less inviting to use.

According to the reading reducing smartphone use will

• lower your monthly phone bill.

• reduce anxiety and stress.

• help you stop suffering from “nomophobia,” “absent presence,” and “technoference.”