Practice SVIP

1. You're complaining to your parents about something. Maybe your laptop isn't powerful enough to play the latest games, or your friends' bikes are better than yours. Then you hear: ‘When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was 16. And it was second-hand. And it was too big for me!'

2. So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It's certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays. A typical family is smaller now, so parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

3. Technology is probably the greatest change. Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers, tablets, and amazing smartphones. And now these things are our most essential possessions - we can't imagine living without them!

4. However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers aren't as healthy as they were in the past because they don't do enough exercise. And, although young people still get on well with their friends, many people think teenagers today aren't actually as sociable as they were in the past.

What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

1. You're complaining to your parents about something. Maybe your laptop isn't powerful enough to play the latest games, or your friends' bikes are better than yours. Then you hear: ‘When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was 16. And it was second-hand. And it was too big for me!'

2. So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It's certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays. A typical family is smaller now, so parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

3. Technology is probably the greatest change. Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers, tablets, and amazing smartphones. And now these things are our most essential possessions - we can't imagine living without them!

4. However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers aren't as healthy as they were in the past because they don't do enough exercise. And, although young people still get on well with their friends, many people think teenagers today aren't actually as sociable as they were in the past.

What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

1. You're complaining to your parents about something. Maybe your laptop isn't powerful enough to play the latest games, or your friends' bikes are better than yours. Then you hear: ‘When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was 16. And it was second-hand. And it was too big for me!'

2. So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It's certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays. A typical family is smaller now, so parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

3. Technology is probably the greatest change. Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers, tablets, and amazing smartphones. And now these things are our most essential possessions - we can't imagine living without them!

4. However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers aren't as healthy as they were in the past because they don't do enough exercise. And, although young people still get on well with their friends, many people think teenagers today aren't actually as sociable as they were in the past.

What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

1. You're complaining to your parents about something. Maybe your laptop isn't powerful enough to play the latest games, or your friends' bikes are better than yours. Then you hear: ‘When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was 16. And it was second-hand. And it was too big for me!'

2. So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It's certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays. A typical family is smaller now, so parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

3. Technology is probably the greatest change. Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers, tablets, and amazing smartphones. And now these things are our most essential possessions - we can't imagine living without them!

4. However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers aren't as healthy as they were in the past because they don't do enough exercise. And, although young people still get on well with their friends, many people think teenagers today aren't actually as sociable as they were in the past.

What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

1. You're complaining to your parents about something. Maybe your laptop isn't powerful enough to play the latest games, or your friends' bikes are better than yours. Then you hear: ‘When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was 16. And it was second-hand. And it was too big for me!'

2. So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It's certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays. A typical family is smaller now, so parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

3. Technology is probably the greatest change. Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers, tablets, and amazing smartphones. And now these things are our most essential possessions - we can't imagine living without them!

4. However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers aren't as healthy as they were in the past because they don't do enough exercise. And, although young people still get on well with their friends, many people think teenagers today aren't actually as sociable as they were in the past.

What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

1. You're complaining to your parents about something. Maybe your laptop isn't powerful enough to play the latest games, or your friends' bikes are better than yours. Then you hear: ‘When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was 16. And it was second-hand. And it was too big for me!'

2. So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It's certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays. A typical family is smaller now, so parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

3. Technology is probably the greatest change. Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers, tablets, and amazing smartphones. And now these things are our most essential possessions - we can't imagine living without them!

4. However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers aren't as healthy as they were in the past because they don't do enough exercise. And, although young people still get on well with their friends, many people think teenagers today aren't actually as sociable as they were in the past.

What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

1. You're complaining to your parents about something. Maybe your laptop isn't powerful enough to play the latest games, or your friends' bikes are better than yours. Then you hear: ‘When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was 16. And it was second-hand. And it was too big for me!'

2. So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It's certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays. A typical family is smaller now, so parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

3. Technology is probably the greatest change. Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers, tablets, and amazing smartphones. And now these things are our most essential possessions - we can't imagine living without them!

4. However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers aren't as healthy as they were in the past because they don't do enough exercise. And, although young people still get on well with their friends, many people think teenagers today aren't actually as sociable as they were in the past.

What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

Teen and social media

1. A new study looked at how teenagers in the US experience social media in their social lives. The study found that almost all teenagers have used some forms of social media, with Facebook being the most popular social network. What is surprising in this high-tech world is that only seven percent said that it was their favourite way to communicate with their friends.

2. But why do teenagers still prefer face-to-face communication when a digital method can be quicker? One girl who responded to the study said, 'It is the only real way to be with each other.' Nearly 40 percent of teens think that talking in person is more fun than talking via the Internet. Other teenagers said that it is easier to understand what people really mean in person. In addition, nine percent feel more comfortable talking about personal things face-to-face, and six percent can also talk more 'seriously' in person.

3. Interestingly, some teenagers think that there can be bad consequences of using social media. More than 30 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media takes up time that they could otherwise spend with their friends. Nearly half say that social media is distracting when they're with other people. One respondent said, 'It's really boring to talk to someone who has to check Facebook every five minutes.'

Teen and social media

1. A new study looked at how teenagers in the US experience social media in their social lives. The study found that almost all teenagers have used some forms of social media, with Facebook being the most popular social network. What is surprising in this high-tech world is that only seven percent said that it was their favourite way to communicate with their friends.

2. But why do teenagers still prefer face-to-face communication when a digital method can be quicker? One girl who responded to the study said, 'It is the only real way to be with each other.' Nearly 40 percent of teens think that talking in person is more fun than talking via the Internet. Other teenagers said that it is easier to understand what people really mean in person. In addition, nine percent feel more comfortable talking about personal things face-to-face, and six percent can also talk more 'seriously' in person.

3. Interestingly, some teenagers think that there can be bad consequences of using social media. More than 30 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media takes up time that they could otherwise spend with their friends. Nearly half say that social media is distracting when they're with other people. One respondent said, 'It's really boring to talk to someone who has to check Facebook every five minutes.'

Teen and social media

1. A new study looked at how teenagers in the US experience social media in their social lives. The study found that almost all teenagers have used some forms of social media, with Facebook being the most popular social network. What is surprising in this high-tech world is that only seven percent said that it was their favourite way to communicate with their friends.

2. But why do teenagers still prefer face-to-face communication when a digital method can be quicker? One girl who responded to the study said, 'It is the only real way to be with each other.' Nearly 40 percent of teens think that talking in person is more fun than talking via the Internet. Other teenagers said that it is easier to understand what people really mean in person. In addition, nine percent feel more comfortable talking about personal things face-to-face, and six percent can also talk more 'seriously' in person.

3. Interestingly, some teenagers think that there can be bad consequences of using social media. More than 30 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media takes up time that they could otherwise spend with their friends. Nearly half say that social media is distracting when they're with other people. One respondent said, 'It's really boring to talk to someone who has to check Facebook every five minutes.'

Teen and social media

1. A new study looked at how teenagers in the US experience social media in their social lives. The study found that almost all teenagers have used some forms of social media, with Facebook being the most popular social network. What is surprising in this high-tech world is that only seven percent said that it was their favourite way to communicate with their friends.

2. But why do teenagers still prefer face-to-face communication when a digital method can be quicker? One girl who responded to the study said, 'It is the only real way to be with each other.' Nearly 40 percent of teens think that talking in person is more fun than talking via the Internet. Other teenagers said that it is easier to understand what people really mean in person. In addition, nine percent feel more comfortable talking about personal things face-to-face, and six percent can also talk more 'seriously' in person.

3. Interestingly, some teenagers think that there can be bad consequences of using social media. More than 30 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media takes up time that they could otherwise spend with their friends. Nearly half say that social media is distracting when they're with other people. One respondent said, 'It's really boring to talk to someone who has to check Facebook every five minutes.'

Teen and social media

1. A new study looked at how teenagers in the US experience social media in their social lives. The study found that almost all teenagers have used some forms of social media, with Facebook being the most popular social network. What is surprising in this high-tech world is that only seven percent said that it was their favourite way to communicate with their friends.

2. But why do teenagers still prefer face-to-face communication when a digital method can be quicker? One girl who responded to the study said, 'It is the only real way to be with each other.' Nearly 40 percent of teens think that talking in person is more fun than talking via the Internet. Other teenagers said that it is easier to understand what people really mean in person. In addition, nine percent feel more comfortable talking about personal things face-to-face, and six percent can also talk more 'seriously' in person.

3. Interestingly, some teenagers think that there can be bad consequences of using social media. More than 30 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media takes up time that they could otherwise spend with their friends. Nearly half say that social media is distracting when they're with other people. One respondent said, 'It's really boring to talk to someone who has to check Facebook every five minutes.'

Teen and social media

1. A new study looked at how teenagers in the US experience social media in their social lives. The study found that almost all teenagers have used some forms of social media, with Facebook being the most popular social network. What is surprising in this high-tech world is that only seven percent said that it was their favourite way to communicate with their friends.

2. But why do teenagers still prefer face-to-face communication when a digital method can be quicker? One girl who responded to the study said, 'It is the only real way to be with each other.' Nearly 40 percent of teens think that talking in person is more fun than talking via the Internet. Other teenagers said that it is easier to understand what people really mean in person. In addition, nine percent feel more comfortable talking about personal things face-to-face, and six percent can also talk more 'seriously' in person.

3. Interestingly, some teenagers think that there can be bad consequences of using social media. More than 30 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media takes up time that they could otherwise spend with their friends. Nearly half say that social media is distracting when they're with other people. One respondent said, 'It's really boring to talk to someone who has to check Facebook every five minutes.'

Teen and social media

1. A new study looked at how teenagers in the US experience social media in their social lives. The study found that almost all teenagers have used some forms of social media, with Facebook being the most popular social network. What is surprising in this high-tech world is that only seven percent said that it was their favourite way to communicate with their friends.

2. But why do teenagers still prefer face-to-face communication when a digital method can be quicker? One girl who responded to the study said, 'It is the only real way to be with each other.' Nearly 40 percent of teens think that talking in person is more fun than talking via the Internet. Other teenagers said that it is easier to understand what people really mean in person. In addition, nine percent feel more comfortable talking about personal things face-to-face, and six percent can also talk more 'seriously' in person.

3. Interestingly, some teenagers think that there can be bad consequences of using social media. More than 30 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media takes up time that they could otherwise spend with their friends. Nearly half say that social media is distracting when they're with other people. One respondent said, 'It's really boring to talk to someone who has to check Facebook every five minutes.'