Warm-up

Answer quickly. No right or wrong answers.

Do you think children spend too much time on their phones?

At what age should children get their first smartphone?

Do you think technology helps or harms young people more?

Vocabulary

Essential (A1–B1)

screen time – the amount of time spent using a phone, tablet, computer, or TV
Example: Too much screen time can affect children's sleep.

worry – to feel nervous or concerned about something
Example: Many parents worry about their children's online safety.

smartphone – a mobile phone with internet access and apps
Example: Many teenagers receive their first smartphone before secondary school.

emergency – a serious situation that needs immediate help
Example: Parents want to contact their children during an emergency.

independence – the ability to do things without help from others
Example: Owning a phone can give teenagers more independence.

Developed (B2–C2)

self-esteem – confidence in your own value and abilities
Example: Social media can sometimes have a negative effect on teenagers' self-esteem.

digital dependency – excessive reliance on digital devices in everyday life
Example: Experts warn that digital dependency is becoming more common among young people.

parental supervision – the monitoring and guidance provided by parents
Example: Parental supervision helps children use technology more responsibly.

psychological well-being – a person's mental and emotional health
Example: Excessive screen time may affect children's psychological well-being.

addiction – the inability to stop doing or using something despite negative effects
Example: Some parents worry about gaming addiction.

disconnected – feeling separated from people emotionally or socially
Example: Some parents feel disconnected from their children's digital lives.

Reading

Introduction

"Many parents are becoming increasingly concerned about how technology affects their children. This text explores why smartphones, social media, and screen time are causing a new type of anxiety known as 'techxiety.'"

(Read at your level. Do not translate every word.)

Article (All Levels)

Many parents worry about how technology affects their children. A recent survey found that many lose sleep because they worry about phones, social media, and gaming.

Parents are concerned about screen time, self-esteem, and possible addiction. Some also feel disconnected from what their children do online.

Even with these worries, many parents still believe smartphones are useful because children can contact them during an emergency and become more independent.

Developed Article (B1–C2)

A recent survey found that parents lose an average of seven hours of sleep each week worrying about their children, with technology becoming one of their greatest concerns. Researchers describe this growing anxiety as "techxiety."

Many parents fear that excessive screen time, social media, and gaming could damage children's psychological well-being, reduce self-esteem, and contribute to digital dependency or addiction. Parents whose children already own smartphones are even more likely to report feeling disconnected from their children's daily lives.

Despite these concerns, most parents continue to support smartphone ownership because they value safety, communication during an emergency, and the sense of independence that technology can provide. Experts suggest that effective parental supervision, rather than banning technology completely, may be the healthiest long-term approach.

Comprehension Check

(Answer based on your level.)

A1–A2

1. What is one reason parents lose sleep?

2. What device do many children own?

3. Why do parents want children to have phones?

B1–B2

1. What does the term "techxiety" mean?

2. How can smartphones affect parents' feelings?

3. Why do many parents still support children having smartphones?

C1–C2

1. How does technology create a conflict between safety and well-being for parents?

2. Why might smartphone ownership increase parents' anxiety instead of reducing it?

3. To what extent should parental supervision replace restrictions on children's technology use?

Speaking

(Choose a question level.)

A1–A2 — Foundation

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Answer + 1 reason)

"I think ___ because ___."

"One problem today is ___."

"I worry about ___ because ___."

"This makes people feel ___."

Personal Questions

1. Do children spend too much time on phones?

2. At what age should children get a smartphone?

3. Did you have a phone when you were young?

4. Do you think social media is good for children?

5. Do parents worry too much today?

6. Should children have limits on screen time?

7. What do you use your phone for most?

8. Do phones help families stay connected?

9. Have you ever worried about someone because they didn't answer their phone?

10. Do you think gaming is good or bad?

11. Should children use phones at school?

12. Is technology important in your daily life?

13. Do you think phones make life easier?

14. What activities should children do instead of using phones?

15. What advice would you give parents about technology?

B1–B2 — Expansion

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Answer + reason + 2 details)

"I feel ___ because ___; for example, ___ and ___."

"One challenge is ___, which affects ___ and ___."

"I am concerned about ___ because ___; in particular, ___ and ___."

"This situation makes people feel ___, especially when ___ and ___."

Personal Questions

1. Why are parents becoming more anxious about technology?

2. How can excessive screen time affect children?

3. What are the advantages of giving children smartphones?

4. What are the biggest risks of social media for young people?

5. How can parents create healthy technology habits?

6. Should schools limit smartphone use? Why?

7. How does technology affect family relationships?

8. What role should parents play in monitoring online activity?

9. How can children balance technology with other activities?

10. Why is self-esteem often linked to social media?

11. How does technology affect children's independence?

12. Should governments regulate children's access to social media?

13. How can families reduce digital dependency?

14. What responsibilities do technology companies have toward children?

15. Do the benefits of smartphones outweigh the risks for children?

C1–C2 — Depth & Reflection

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Reason + multiple details + consequence or reflection)

"I feel ___ because ___; for instance, ___, ___, and ___; as a result, ___."

"One significant issue is ___, which influences ___ and ___; however, ___."

"I am concerned about ___ because ___, including ___ and ___; this leads me to ___."

"I think the future is ___ because ___, especially considering ___ and ___; ultimately, ___."

Personal Questions

1. How has modern technology changed the challenges of parenting?

2. To what extent should parents monitor their children's digital lives?

3. How does constant digital connectivity influence children's psychological well-being?

4. Is "techxiety" a reasonable response to today's digital world? Why or why not?

5. How can parents balance children's independence with online safety?

6. Should smartphone ownership be treated as a privilege or a necessity for young people?

7. What long-term effects could digital dependency have on future generations?

8. How should schools and parents share responsibility for children's digital education?

9. How might social media reshape children's identity and self-esteem?

10. To what extent should governments regulate children's use of technology?

11. How can families strengthen relationships despite increasing screen time?

12. What ethical responsibilities do technology companies have toward young users?

13. How might advances in AI and technology change parenting over the next decade?

14. Can technology ever truly replace face-to-face family communication? Why or why not?

15. In your view, what is the healthiest relationship children should have with technology?