G8 Reading Passage

Title: Instagram's New Rules to Keep Teens Safe

Instagram is making big changes to protect teens who use the app. Millions of teen accounts will now be set to private by default. This means that only approved friends can see their posts, comment on them, or send them messages. The idea is to make it harder for strangers or adults to interact with teens without permission.

Instagram is also adding new messaging rules. Teens will be placed in the strictest messaging settings. This means they can only receive messages from people they follow. If an adult who is not following the teen tries to message them, Instagram will block the message. These rules are being put in place to help teens stay safe from online dangers like unwanted messages or bullying.

These changes come after a lot of concern about the safety of teens online. Many young people spend hours on social media, sharing photos, videos, and personal thoughts. While social media is fun and a great way to connect with friends, it can also bring risks. Some people may try to take advantage of others, or spread harmful content. Instagram wants to reduce these risks by giving teens more control over who they interact with.

This isn't the first time Instagram has made changes to protect teens. Last year, they introduced alerts when adults try to message teens who don't follow them. Now, they are going even further by making private accounts the default setting for teens.

Instagram’s goal is to create a safer environment for younger users. With these new rules, the company hopes that teens will feel more secure when using the platform. Parents and safety experts are praising the changes, saying they will help reduce risks and protect teens from online threats.

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Vocabulary for G8 Students

1. Private: Something that is only visible to certain people.
   Example: When your Instagram account is private, only your friends can see your posts.

2. Approved: Something that is accepted or agreed on.
   Example: You can only message approved friends on Instagram.

3. Permission: Allowing someone to do something.
   Example: You need permission from your parents to stay out late.

4. Strangers: People you don’t know.
   Example: It’s not safe to share personal information with strangers online.

5. Block: To stop something from happening.
   Example: Instagram can block messages from people you don’t know.

Grammar Focus for G8

1. Present Simple Tense: Used to describe actions that happen regularly or facts.
   Example: "Instagram is making big changes."
   Explanation: This sentence shows what Instagram is currently doing.

2. Passive Voice: Used to emphasize the action rather than who is doing it.
   Example: "Accounts will be set to private."
   Explanation: The focus is on the accounts, not on who is setting them to private.

Synonym Match for G8

Phrase Match for G8

Gap Fill for G8

Instagram is making big changes to help teens stay _______________(1). Accounts will be set to _______________(2) so that only approved friends can see posts. Teens can also block _______________(3) from sending unwanted messages. These new rules are designed to reduce _______________(4) and make the platform _______________(5) for young users.

Answers: (1) safe, (2) private, (3) strangers, (4) risks, (5) safer.

Listening Exercise for G8

1. What changes is Instagram making for teen users?
   (A) They are making teen accounts private by default.
   (B) They are allowing everyone to message teens.
   (C) They are making it easier to follow teens.
   (D) They are removing messaging rules.
   Answer: (A)

2. Who can see the posts of a teen account set to private?
   (A) Everyone
   (B) Only approved friends
   (C) Instagram staff
   (D) All adults
   Answer: (B)

Speaking Exercise for G8

1. Discussion: Talk about why it’s important to protect teens on social media.
2. Role-play: Pretend you are explaining the new Instagram rules to a friend who doesn’t understand them.
3. Presentation: Prepare a short talk on how teens can stay safe online.

G11 Reading Passage

Title: Instagram Introduces New Safety Measures for Teen Users

Instagram, one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, is implementing significant changes aimed at protecting teenage users from online threats. As part of this effort, millions of teen accounts will automatically be switched to private settings, ensuring that only approved friends can view their content or interact with them. These changes are part of a larger initiative to create a safer online environment for younger users, who are often more vulnerable to risks such as unwanted contact, cyberbullying, and harmful content.

In addition to the default privacy settings, Instagram is introducing stricter messaging controls. Teen accounts will be placed in the most restrictive messaging settings, meaning that they will only be able to receive direct messages from people they follow. Any unsolicited messages from adults who are not following the teen will be blocked by the platform, reducing the risk of inappropriate interactions. This change is seen as a crucial step in protecting teens from potential online predators and harassment.

The new safety measures follow years of growing concern about the impact of social media on young people. Numerous studies have highlighted the risks associated with social media use, particularly for teens, who are more likely to face issues like cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and mental health challenges stemming from social media use. While platforms like Instagram offer an excellent way for young people to stay connected with friends and express themselves, they also pose significant risks when not managed carefully.

Instagram has previously introduced other safety features aimed at protecting teens. For example, the platform already alerts users when adults they don’t follow try to send them messages. However, this new policy goes a step further by automatically implementing stricter rules, rather than relying on users to change their settings manually. Instagram hopes that by taking control of these settings, they can prevent harmful situations before they arise.

These changes have been widely praised by parents, educators, and child safety advocates, who see them as necessary steps in an increasingly digital world. However, some critics argue that more needs to be done to address the underlying issues of social media’s influence on teen mental health. Nevertheless, Instagram’s move is seen as a positive step toward making the platform a safer place for young users.

Vocabulary for G11 Students

1. Vulnerable: Easily harmed or at risk of being attacked.
   Example: Teens are more vulnerable to online threats because they are still learning how to navigate the internet safely.

2. Cyberbullying: Using the internet to bully or harass someone.
   Example: Cyberbullying can cause serious emotional harm to teens who use social media.

3. Restrictive: Limiting or controlling something.
   Example: The new messaging rules are restrictive to prevent unwanted contact with teens.

4. Predator: A person who exploits or takes advantage of others, especially children.
   Example: The new rules help protect teens from online predators.

5. Initiative: A new plan or strategy to deal with a problem.
   Example: Instagram’s safety initiative aims to reduce the risks teens face online.

Grammar Focus for G11

1. Passive Voice with Modals: Used to discuss rules or regulations.
   Example: "Teen accounts will automatically be switched to private settings."
   Explanation: This structure is used to focus on the action (switching the accounts) rather than who is doing it.

2. Relative Clauses: Used to add extra information about a noun.
   Example: "Teens, who are more vulnerable to online risks, need extra protection."
   Explanation: The relative clause provides more information about teens.

Synonym Match for G11

Phrase Match for G11

Gap Fill for G11

Instagram is taking steps to protect teens by automatically _______________(1) millions of accounts to private. In addition, the platform is introducing _______________(2) controls to prevent unwanted messages from adults. These changes come in response to growing concerns about the _______________(3) of social media on young people. Teens are more _______________(4) to cyberbullying and online predators, which is why Instagram’s _______________(5) to create a safer environment has been praised by many.

Answers: (1) switching, (2) stricter, (3) impact, (4) vulnerable, (5) initiative.

Listening Exercise for G11

1. Why is Instagram switching teen accounts to private?
   (A) To reduce exposure to online risks.
   (B) To allow more people to message teens.
   (C) To make accounts more public.
   (D) To help adults contact teens.
   Answer: (A)

2. What new messaging rule is Instagram introducing for teens?
   (A) Teens can message anyone they want.
   (B) Only followers can send direct messages to teens.
   (C) Teens must approve all messages before they are sent.
   (D) Teens can send messages to adults.
   Answer: (B)

Speaking Exercise for G11

1. Debate: Do you think social media companies are doing enough to protect teens online? Why or why not?
2. Discussion: How can teens protect themselves from online risks?
3. Role-play: Pretend you are a parent discussing the new Instagram rules with your teenager.

University Reading Passage

Title: Instagram Implements New Safety Protocols to Shield Teens from Online Risks

In a continued effort to enhance the safety of its younger users, Instagram has announced a series of new protective measures aimed at teenagers. With increasing scrutiny surrounding the impact of social media on youth, Instagram is rolling out privacy and messaging changes designed to reduce the risk of online harm, such as predatory behavior, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. Among the most significant updates is the automatic switching of millions of teen accounts to private settings, meaning only approved contacts will be able to view and interact with these accounts.

The platform is also tightening its messaging controls for teens. From now on, teen users will only be able to receive direct messages from people they follow, further limiting unwanted interactions. If an adult who doesn’t follow a teen attempts to send them a message, Instagram will block the attempt. These changes are a response to increasing concerns over online predators who target younger users through direct messages. By implementing these restrictive messaging policies, Instagram aims to preempt potentially harmful situations before they escalate.

The company’s efforts to safeguard teens reflect broader societal anxieties about the influence of social media on mental health and well-being, particularly for adolescents. Numerous studies have documented the potential dangers associated with unchecked social media usage, ranging from anxiety and depression to more extreme cases involving online exploitation. The combination of isolation, constant connectivity, and peer pressure has made teens particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of social media, prompting calls for more robust protective measures.

Instagram has made several attempts over the years to address these concerns. For instance, the platform introduced features like “nudging” teens to take breaks and a messaging alert system to notify users when adults they don’t follow attempt to contact them. While these steps have been met with some praise, the growing prevalence of digital threats to teens has underscored the need for more aggressive intervention. By automatically enforcing stricter privacy and messaging rules, Instagram is signaling a shift toward a more proactive approach in safeguarding its most vulnerable users.

Despite these advancements, some critics argue that the platform’s changes are insufficient to address the underlying causes of online harm. They assert that while stricter rules might mitigate some risks, they fail to tackle broader issues related to the addictive nature of social media and its effect on self-esteem and mental health. Additionally, there are concerns that overly restrictive policies might alienate younger users, pushing them toward other platforms with less stringent protections.

Nevertheless, Instagram’s move has been welcomed by many safety advocates, educators, and parents, who see it as a necessary response to the evolving digital landscape. As social media continues to play a central role in the lives of young people, platforms like Instagram are under increasing pressure to strike a balance between enabling user engagement and protecting their most vulnerable users from harm.

Vocabulary for University Students

1. Preempt: To act before something happens in order to prevent it.
   Example: The new rules are designed to preempt harmful situations before they escalate.

2. Exploitation: Taking advantage of someone in an unfair or harmful way.
   Example: Online predators often engage in the exploitation of vulnerable teens.

3. Scrutiny: Close and critical examination.
   Example: The new policies come under increasing scrutiny from child safety advocates.

4. Adverse: Harmful or unfavorable.
   Example: Excessive social media use can have adverse effects on teens' mental health.

5. Proactive: Taking action to prevent problems before they occur.
   Example: Instagram’s proactive approach aims to reduce the risk of online harm.

Grammar Focus for University

1. Complex Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions: Used to express cause and effect, contrast, or conditions.
   Example: "Despite these advancements, some critics argue that the changes are insufficient."
   Explanation: The sentence contrasts two ideas using "despite."

2. Nominalization: Turning verbs or adjectives into nouns to make sentences more formal.
   Example: "The growing prevalence of digital threats..."
   Explanation: "Prevalence" is a nominalization of the adjective "prevalent."

Synonym Match for University

Phrase Match for University

Gap Fill for University

Instagram is taking steps to _______________(1) the risk of online harm by automatically _______________(2) privacy settings for millions of teen accounts. In addition, the platform has implemented more _______________(3) messaging controls, ensuring that teens can only receive messages from people they _______________(4). These changes come in response to growing _______________(5) over online predators and the exploitation of younger users.

Answers: (1) reduce, (2) switching, (3) restrictive, (4) follow, (5) scrutiny.

Listening Exercise for University

1. What is the primary reason Instagram is making these changes?
   Open-ended: To reduce the risk of online harm, especially targeting teens through inappropriate messaging and content.

2. What role do stricter privacy settings play in protecting teens?
   Short-answer: Stricter privacy settings ensure that only approved followers can interact with a teen’s account, reducing the likelihood of contact from strangers or predators.

Speaking Exercise for University

1. Debate: Should social media companies bear full responsibility for protecting users, or is it also the users' responsibility to safeguard themselves online?
2. Panel Discussion: Discuss the impact of social media on teen mental health and whether stricter regulations will help alleviate these issues.
3. Presentation: Research and present the broader implications of social media safety policies for the future of digital interactions.