Part 1 - Option 2 - Question 2 · Inglés PAU Cantabria Extraordinaria 2023

Is technology helping families communicate or holding them back?

Technology is playing a crucial role in bringing families closer together, according to a roundtable discussion organized by Vodafone and The Guardian. The discussion launched the third edition of Vodafone's Digital Parenting Guide, which features research on the impact of technology on family life. The data collected from 1,500 parents and 500 young people showed that most believe their family life has been enhanced by technology, and 90% of kids feel they have more opportunities because of it.

Digital technology, such as Skype and FaceTime, helps maintain relationships even when family members are living apart. Sophie Linnington, of The Parent Zone, adds that families playing online games with relatives across continents is a good example of how technology is bringing families closer. Digital technology has provided older generations like grandparents a chance to communicate with their young relatives by learning new digital skills. That might mean having to learn new skills that may prove challenging at first. Siôn Humphreys, of the National Association of Headteachers, wondered whether there were different boundaries between generations in terms of what they were happy to share online, highlighting the importance of young people being encouraged to audit their "digital footprint" – the amount of information freely available about them online, mostly via social networks. This information can potentially have long-term effects on a person's personal and professional life, and it is important for young people to be aware of what information is readily available about them.

However, not everyone is in agreement about how much technology young people should be exposed to. Some believe that allowing them to develop judgement through trial and error is an important life skill. Others feel that there is too much oversight over young people now, leading to "helicopter parenting" or parents keeping very close tabs on their children. Moreover, the study by Vodafone showed that 95 % of teenagers feel safer with their mobile phones when leaving home, as they can ring home to ease any worries over their safety rather than having to be home by a strict curfew just in case. This supports the argument that technology can boost independence rather than the opposite.

The issue of cyberbullying and internet safety is also a concern. It is unclear who is responsible for educating young people about e-safety. Adults might not have the skills or understanding of young people's online habits, and schools have limited space in their curriculum to address these issues. Peer mentoring schemes where children are trained as digital champions could be a solution. Children might not feel comfortable asking adults for help with problems they encounter online. It is also difficult for schools to ban certain apps or devices as it is something which can not be imposed. The government is still struggling with the possibility of internet regulation to protect children.

Adapted from The Guardian, 6 May 2014

Question 2: [2 POINTS] Choose and answer only TWO of the following questions in your own words according to the text.

a)

What is the significance of digital technology in maintaining relationships between family members?

b)

Explain the term "digital footprint" and why young people should be encouraged to check theirs.

c)

According to Vodafone's study, what benefits do most teenagers obtain when using their mobile phones?