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Read the following article and answer ALL the questions that follow.

II

Technology driven school reform ensures that students develop the ability to
operate in a technological environment and acquire the knowledge and skills
necessary to be productive. The fact that so much of our planet is rapidly
becoming connected via the Internet makes it necessary for online protocol to
become an intrinsic part of technology-based curriculum. But increasing
reports connecting psychologically addictive characteristics to Internet use,
along with speculation of its negative influence on social functioning have
brought to question the enduring effects of this reform. Educators and
psychologists are beginning to wonder about the impact of the Internet on the
social skills and psychological well-being of our children.

Online computer use is widespread and growing. Current estimates indicate

that 149 million people are online worldwide, and this is increasing at the rate
of 12% a month. According to a U.S. Census Bureau report, 22.2% of the 76
million American computer users aged 3 and above use the Internet, and one
fifth of children with home computers use them to access the Internet. It was
also reported that 55 million enrolled children used computers at school, and
school was the most common place for children to access the Internet. With
these staggering numbers, there is little doubt about the proliferation and
popularity of Internet use.

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While our culture heralds the Internet as a technological wonder, there are
suggestions that Internet use has a negative influence on individuals and their
social skills. A recent study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University
concludes that Internet use leads to small but statistically significant increases
in misery and loneliness and a decline in overall psychological well-being. The
appropriately named HomeNet project studied a sample of 169 people in
Pittsburg during their first year or two online. Data showed that as people in
this sample used the Internet more, they reported keeping up with fewer
friends. They also reported spending less time talking with their families,
experiencing more daily stress, and feeling more lonely and depressed. Social
skills are affected even though improving interpersonal communication was
their most important reason for using the Internet.
A national survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in
Washington found that a majority of parents in households with computers fear

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the influence of the Internet on children, particularly due to its wide-open nature
and interactivity. However, they still believe that their children need the Internet.
They cited the benefits such as the ability to discover useful things and the
advantages in helping with schoolwork. It must be noted, however, that the ill
effects of Internet use do not stop at school level. At a large university in New
York, the dropout rate among freshmen and newcomers rose dramatically as
their investment in computers and Internet access increased. Administrators in
this university learned that 43% of the dropouts were staying up all night
hooked on the Internet. In response to a college survey regarding the effects of
technology on interpersonal relationships and communication, it is by far the
most frequently mentioned potential problem linked to electronic
communication in the forms of e-mail, discussion groups, and chat rooms.
Many respondents spoke of the sense of isolation inherent in this medium and
the lack of face-to-face contact as a contributing factor towards feelings of
alienation and loneliness.
With this increasing influence of the Internet, there is a debate among
psychologists as to the prevalence of a psychological disorder associated with
online use. Labelled by some as "Internet Addiction Disorder", studies suggest
the existence of addictive behaviour patterns among heavy Internet users.
Online surveys estimate that the incidence of addictive patterns of behaviour
among Internet users ranges from 6% to 80%. Symptoms of the disorder
include: using the computer for pleasure, gratification, or relief from stress;
feeling irritable and out of control or depressed when not using it; spending
increasing amounts of time and money on hardware, software, magazines, and
computer-related activities; and neglecting work, school, or family obligations.
Some users also experience a cocaine-like "rush" when using the Internet. Dr.
John Suler has listed many of these characteristics in his online document,
The Psychology of Cyberspace. However, the growing evidence of addiction
among Internet users has created a need for more information about the
psychological characteristics of these individuals. This is vital in the
identification and development of effective intervention and prevention
programmes.
In disagreement, some psychologists argue that the list of symptoms seems
more oriented towards general personality disorders rather than real computer
addiction. According to Maressa Hecht Orzack, director of computer-addiction
services at McLean Hospital of the Harvard Medical School, the problem
centres around the people who work the computer rather than the computer
itself. She asserts that they use the computer as a tool to evade, procrastinate
and escape, and that among the most vulnerable are children who are lonely
and bored, or those from families where nobody is at home to relate to after
school.
Based on HomeNet study, it was found that teenagers are much heavier

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Internet users than their parents. While adults tend to use the Internet to get
employment-related information, teenagers are more likely to use the Internet
to play games, listen to music and meet new people. This particular appeal has
caused a growing concern among educators such as Michael A. Weinstein, a
professor of political science at Purdue University. He believes that Internet
users will lose the savvy and skills, as well as the patience to interact socially
in the corporeal world, and that the Internet will intensify the negative effect
television has already had on our social skills. Taking his view then, it is
assumed that we are encouraging our children to become social nitwits.
In their dealings with technology, today's youths are often portrayed as either
victims or criminals. Warnings of Internet "stalkers by the press, coupled with
several tragedies, have raised issues of safety and concern when dealing with
the Internet. Like Weinstein, many have taken the view that media and
technology including television, motion pictures, and CD recordings have
deteriorated the values and skills of our youths. In their view, the Internet is the
prime culprit for this problem with its innate game-playing capabilities,
suspected addictive tendencies, and sexually-explicit temptations.

Contrary to this line of thinking, reports indicate that our youths may not be
destined for such a decline. Overall, youth crime statistics have shown a stable
or declining trend for the last five years. Mike Males, reporter of the L.A.Times,
reports that over the past two decades in California, teenage rates of felony
and misdemeanor arrests have fallen 40%, suicide and self-destructive deaths
have dropped 60%, and drug-abuse deaths have declined 90%. He also
reports that students display higher school enrolments, test scores and
volunteerism, and better college preparatory work than their forebears. Some
also praise the benefits of the Internet in actually grooming the social skills of
youths. A student, Matt Simon, offers the following view: While the educational
benefits of the computer technology cannot be denied, what about the social
aspects? When we think of children and computers, the image of endless
hours of playing games comes to mind. However, there are opportunities for
children and youths to interact online in productive and positive ways. Online
magazines have become virtual forums in which youths can write and
communicate their ideas. Accounts such as this can only aid technology
proponents in countering the views of their adversaries.

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Adapted from Is the Internet Affecting the Social Skills of Our Children?
http://www.sierrasource.com/cep612/internet.html

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VI

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VII
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VIII
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QUESTION 1
What do the following words mean as they are used in the article?

a) staggering (line 18)

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b) heralds (line 20)

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c) alienation (line 48)

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d) prevalence (line 50)

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(4 marks)

QUESTION 2
Identify the issue discussed in the article.
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(2 marks)
QUESTION 3
What is the main argument in the article?
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(2 marks)
QUESTION 4
In Paragraph IX, what inference can be drawn from Matt Simons statement, When we
think of children and computers, the image of endless hours of playing games comes to
mind?
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(2 marks)
QUESTION 5
State the main idea of Paragraph III and give ONE MAJOR supporting detail to support the
main idea.
a) Main idea:
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b)

Major supporting detail:

_________________________________________________________________________
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(2 marks)

QUESTION 6
Identify two inferences that can be made based on the authors statement, "Internet users
will lose the savvy and skills and patience to interact socially in the corporeal world "
(Paragraph VII). Circle the two appropriate options from those given below.
a. Internet users are still able to function effectively in the society to a certain extent.
b. Internet users will be unable to cope with the social demands of the real world over time.
c. There is a possibility of losing the ability to communicate effectively in the future.
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d. Internet users have inadequate interpersonal skills when it comes to dealing with other
people.
(2 marks)
QUESTION 7
Formulate the implied main idea of Paragraph IV.
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(2 marks)
QUESTION 8
The following are statements from the article regarding the use of the Internet and its
effects. Identify the type of supporting details (SD) used.

a)

Statement
According to a U.S. Census Bureau report, 22.2% of the 76
million American computer users aged 3 and above use the
Internet, and one fifth of children with home computers use
them to access the Internet. (Paragraph II)

b)

A national survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy

Center in Washington found that a majority of parents in
households with computers fear the influence of the Internet on
children, particularly due to its wide-open nature and
interactivity. (Paragraph IV)

c)

According to Maressa Hecht Orzack, director of computeraddiction services at McLean Hospital of the Harvard Medical
School, the problem centres around the people who work the
computer rather than the computer itself. (Paragraph VI)

d)

A student, Matt Simon, offers the following view: While the

educational benefits of the computer technology cannot be
denied, what about the social aspects? When we think of
children and computers, the image of endless hours of playing
games comes to mind. However, there are opportunities for
children and youths to interact online in productive and positive
ways. (Paragraph IX)

Type of SD

(4 marks)

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QUESTION 9
Decide whether each statement represents a FACT or an OPINION and justify your answer.
a) Based on HomeNet study, it was found that teenagers are much heavier Internet
users than their parents. (Paragraph VII)
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b) The Internet is the prime culprit for this problem with its innate game-playing
capabilities, suspected addictive tendencies, and sexually-explicit temptations.
(Paragraph VIII)
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c) Overall, youth crime statistics have shown a stable or declining trend for the last five
years. (Paragraph IX)
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(6 marks)
QUESTION 10
What is the authors main purpose?
a.
b.
c.
d.

To persuade readers that there are more negative effects of the Internet on youths
To inform readers that there are more negative effects of the Internet on youths
To instruct readers on the negative and positive effects of the Internet on youths
To persuade readers that school technology reform has more long lasting effects on
youths
(1 mark)

QUESTION 11
According to Maressa Hecht Orzack, director of computer-addiction services at McLean
Hospital of the Harvard Medical School, the problem centres around the people who work
the computer rather than the computer itself. She asserts that they use the computer as a
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tool to evade, procrastinate and escape, and that among the most vulnerable are children
who are lonely and bored or those from families where nobody is at home to relate to after
school.
Formulate a possible conclusion based on the reasoning in the paragraph above.
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(1 mark)
QUESTION 12
Which group of audience will benefit the most from reading this article?
a. Educationists who design the curriculum
b. Children who use the Internet
c. People who plan to have children
d. Youths who are pursuing tertiary education
(1 mark)
QUESTION 13
The tone of the author can best be described as
a. alarmed
b. concerned
c. matter of fact
d. serious
(1 mark)
QUESTION 14
In what way does Matt Simons view differ from the authors view that we are encouraging
our youths to become social nitwits? Provide four instances from the language used in the
text to support your answer.
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(3 marks)
QUESTION 15
Draw your own conclusion on children as Internet users based on information in Paragraph
II.
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(1 mark)
QUESTION 16
Evaluate the validity and credibility of the authors argument in the article. Explain your
answer with evidence from the article.
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(3 marks)
QUESTION 17
Is the argument presented in the article complete? Explain your answer with evidence from
the article.
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_________________________________________________________________________
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(3 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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