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22 Sept 2026
Preliminary results from an ongoing study found about two-thirds of 8- to 12-year-olds use social media. For some kids that use could be a problem. HRAUN/E+/Getty Images
Children and Social Media: Staying Safe Online
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Section: Warm Up
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Children use mobile phones to watch videos and chat with friends.
b) Schools are banning all computers and books forever.
c) Children build giant robots using social media apps.
Ask:
(1) Do you like using mobile apps on a phone or tablet?
(2) Why is it important to follow rules when using the internet?
VOCABULARY
app (/æp/, noun)
Meaning: A special program on a mobile phone or computer.
Example: I downloaded a fun game app on my tablet.
video (/'vɪd.i.əʊ/, noun)
Meaning: A moving picture that you watch on a screen.
Example: We watched a funny animal video online after school.
friend (/frend/, noun)
Meaning: A person you know, like, and enjoy spending time with.
Example: I play games with my best friend every afternoon.
share (/ʃeə/, verb)
Meaning: To give or show something to other people.
Example: Children like to share pictures with their family.
phone (/fəʊn/, noun)
Meaning: A small electronic device used for calling and browsing.
Example: She answered the phone when her mother called.
online (/ˌɒn'laɪn/, adjective)
Meaning: Connected to the internet.
Example: My brother plays online chess against players in London.
rule (/ruːl/, noun)
Meaning: An official statement that tells you what you must or must not do.
Example: The classroom rule says we must listen to the teacher.
safe (/seɪf/, adjective)
Meaning: Protected from danger or harm.
Example: Always wear a helmet to stay safe on your bicycle.
Many young children like using mobile phones today. They watch fun video clips every single day. They use a popular app on their phone. Children play online games with their classmates. They talk to a good friend every afternoon. They like to share happy pictures with family.
However, many apps have an age rule. This rule is very clear for users. Children must be thirteen years old to join them. Some young kids do not tell the truth about their age. They sign up early to chat with friends.
Parents and teachers want children to stay safe online. Playing outside in the garden is also important. Too much screen time is not good for sleeping well. Teachers say that children need healthy daily habits.
Children can learn to follow every internet rule today. They switch off their smart phones at bedtime. They talk to adults when they see bad things. Staying safe online is always a smart choice.
Roughly one in 11 preteens may use social media in ways that can interfere with their relationships and normal activities, a new study finds. Thawatchai Chawong/iStock/Getty Images Plus
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) Which mobile app do you like using the most?
(2) Why do many social media apps require users to be 13 years old?
(3) What outdoor games do you enjoy playing instead of looking at screens?
(4) What should you do if you see something strange or scary online?
(5) Why is it helpful to turn off smart phones before going to bed?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: friend, rule, app, safe
Many young children like using mobile phones today. They watch fun video clips every single day. They use a popular _______(1) on their phone. Children play online games with their classmates. They talk to a good _______(2) every afternoon. They like to share happy pictures with family.
However, many apps have an age rule. This rule is very clear for users. Children must be thirteen years old to join them. Some young kids do not tell the truth about their age. They sign up early to chat with friends.
Parents and teachers want children to stay _______(3) online. Playing outside in the garden is also important. Too much screen time is not good for sleeping well. Teachers say that children need healthy daily habits.
Children can learn to follow every internet _______(4) today. They switch off their smart phones at bedtime. They talk to adults when they see bad things. Staying safe online is always a smart choice.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of the story?
a) Mobile phones are only used for playing music at school.
b) Children use apps online and must follow safety rules.
c) All children must buy new mobile phones every year.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
(1) Children use mobile apps to watch video clips and talk to friends. T/F
(2) Most social media apps allow seven-year-olds to join freely. T/F
(3) Turning off phones at night helps children sleep well. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these story events in order from 1 to 3:
( ) Children learn to switch off their phones at bedtime.
( ) Young children use popular apps on mobile phones to chat and play.
( ) Parents and teachers remind kids to follow online safety rules.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
(1) app
(2) video
(3) friend
(4) share
(5) rule
a) a moving picture on a screen
b) an official statement telling you what to do
c) a small program on a computer or mobile phone
d) to show or give something to other people
e) a person you know and like very much
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) I use a phone app to _______ videos with my classmates.
a) share
b) sleep
c) jump
(2) We must follow the safety _______ when we browse the web.
a) cake
b) rule
c) garden
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) Unscramble the sentence:
[A] children / [B] online / [C] want / [D] to stay / [E] Parents
(2) Unscramble the sentence:
[A] switch off / [B] at bedtime / [C] phones / [D] Children / [E] their
ANSWER KEY
A1 Level Answer Key
Warm Up Answer:
Correct option: a) Children use mobile phones to watch videos and chat with friends.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
(1) app
(2) friend
(3) safe
(4) rule
Section 2: Main Idea
Correct option: b) Children use apps online and must follow safety rules.
Section 3: True or False
(1) True
(2) False
(3) True
Section 4: Put Events in Order
(3) Children learn to switch off their phones at bedtime.
(1) Young children use popular apps on mobile phones to chat and play.
(2) Parents and teachers remind kids to follow online safety rules.
Section 5: Vocab Match
(1) - c (app: a small program on a computer or mobile phone)
(2) - a (video: a moving picture on a screen)
(3) - e (friend: a person you know and like very much)
(4) - d (share: to show or give something to other people)
(5) - b (rule: an official statement telling you what to do)
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) a) share
(2) b) rule
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) Parents want children to stay safe online. (E - C - A - D - B)
(2) Children switch off their phones at bedtime. (D - A - E - C - B)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
Open student responses encouraging simple Present Tense usage and complete sentences.
Thank you for your feedback!