Internet

Question 1

Vocabulary about the Internet

Answer 1

Be/ go/ get online/ offline

To browse
I like to browse cooking websites
I browse the Internet for an hour a day to research my classes.

A browser - Chrome, Safari, Firefox, EI

It rings a bell - it sounds familiar

To surf - to explore the internet
A silver surfer

Privacy (n)
Private (adj)

You need to respect everyone’s privacy.
Digital privacy
Keep your word private

Safety (n)
Internet Safety is of prime importance
Keep your password safe

Rely (v)
Reliable (adj)
Reliability (n)

The BBC is a reliable source.
I’m not sure about the reliability of information on the Internet.

Reliable - trustworthy - dependable - valid

Troll (v) make an offensive/insulting/attacking/aggressive online post

Troll (n)
Cyberbully (n) a person who attacks ‘weaker’ people online
Predator (n) the person who stalks (follow with bad intention) others online

It seems you are all digital natives, but I am a digital immigrant.

Question 2

Phrasal verbs about the Internet

Answer 2

Scroll up/ down
Click on/off
Print out
Shut down - turn off computer
Swipe through/up/down/left/right
Log out/in

Question 3

How has the Internet changed our lives, our work and our families?

Answer 3

Remote working/studying/meeting/learning
Virtual world/platform/reality/class/assistant/
Online courses/shopping/dating/banking
Video gaming/streaming
Access mode/area/information
Easy communication

Question 4

Does the Internet have a negative influence on children?

Answer 4

This is a really interesting question and quite a complex one, as there are many aspects to consider.
In a nutshell (in short), I guess the short answer is - it depends in what you use the Internet for.
There are many activities and opportunities that the Internet offers and a large number can be beneficial for kids’ learning.
Such things as doing research, communicating with teachers and other children, making sharable presentations, playing games, all of these provide valuable learning opportunities.
Of course, teachers and parents need to wary of (be aware of/ be careful with) children’s privacy and safety online, you know they need to do their upmost (do their best) to avoid cyberbullies and predators. These are the key things that needs to be passed on to children.
Talking about games. There’s a lot of heated discussion and disagreement about video games, especially violent ones, and how they can nudge (encourage) children to become violent in so-called ‘real-life’. But, many studies show this is not the case, almost the opposite, these shooting games help students hone their reaction skills and improve hand-eye coordination.
I suppose the big concern nowadays is more about social media on the Internet and the detrimental effect it can have on young adolescents.
From what I can make out, it seems to condition them to compare themselves with others, and to present a perfect self. It’s no surprise then, that this leads to reduced self-esteem and significant mental health problems for many young people.

Question 5

Idioms about the Internet

Answer 5

To get something from the horse’s mouth - to get news/information directly
This is reliable information, I got it from the horse’s mouth.

Information at your fingertips/ at the click of a button - very easy to access/get

The Internet is a double-edged sword - it has a good and a bad side

This software is too complicated, I can’t get my head around it - I don’t understand it