MUET 12 APRIL 2017
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Make the most of infographics
10 & 11
The dark side of the Net By MAWARNI MUSTAFA
THE dawn of the computer age brought with it the birth of the Internet, which connects billions of people around the world. This wondrous invention has enabled communication to progress at an unbelievably fast pace and has made it easier for people to
communicate with each other. The Internet also acts as a gateway to a seemingly endless variety of information. At a glance, it would appear that the Internet is indispensable and brings us a lot of benefits. However, as cliché as it may sound, too much of a good thing can prove to be harmful. On Dec 18, 2016, Sunday Star highlighted several
consequences of Internet addiction, with one horrific incident involving a son killing his own mother. With a high volume of people getting online, many of whom exhibiting the tendency to spend long hours on the Internet, how do we know if a person is an Internet addict? Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission advocacy and outreach senior director
Listening for a purpose
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Student essay and teacher analysis
Eneng Faridah Iskandar cautioned against a kneejerk reaction to this matter. A person’s fondness for spending time on the Internet does not automatically make him an Internet addict. It only becomes a problem when a person’s behaviour changes or his work suffers. The following infographic can help you recognise the specific behaviours of Internet addicts.
rning sign so Wa
rnet addi c t i on nte fI
Spends most of his non-school hours on the computer or becomes irritable when offline. Lies about time spent online. Complains of backaches, neck pain, headaches or dry eyes. Neglects personal hygiene. Rushes through meals.
ACTIVITY 1 From the infographic, which of the signs of Internet addiction are easier to spot and which are harder? In groups of four, choose three signs which you think are the easiest to identify and three which are the hardest. If you suspected someone to be an Internet addict, what would you do? Discuss with your friends and write down the steps that you would take.
Source: Malaysian Mental Health Association deputy president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj (Published in Sunday Star, Dec 18, 2016)
ACTIVITY 2 Apart from the positive, the Internet also brings a host of negative effects such as cybercrimes. In the following infographic, you will find suggestions for parents on keeping their children safe. Read the points given and complete the task that follows. Explore technology Get free parental control technologies that help set and enforce ground rules. These can limit the sites that can be accessed and the type of information that can be shared online.
Cyber Parenting How to keep your kids safe:
Have open dialogue Start the conversation early. Discuss appropriate online behaviour. Have ground rules about how computers, smartphones and gaming systems are used. Lead by example.
Educate Create awareness about issues like sexting, cyberbullying, online predators and privacy.
Instil responsibility Let kids know that if they behave responsibly, they’ll get more leeway. Or else, they may lose their Internet privileges.
Be a guide, friend and mentor Instead of supervising kids discreetly, help them create their online persona.
Sources: CyberSecurity Malaysia and Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report (Adapted from an article published in Sunday Star, Aug 14, 2016)
Match the following words from the infographic with their meanings. These words can be very useful when you are discussing the subject, whether during the Speaking tasks or when attempting an essay question in the Writing paper. These words may also appear in your Listening or Reading papers. WORD
MEANING
1. Enforce
a) Not likely to be seen or noticed by many people
2. Ground rules
b) Freedom to do something the way you want to do it
3. Sexting
c) The image or personality that a person presents to other people
4. Predators
d) A right or benefit granted as an advantage or favour
5. Mentor
e) To carry out effectively
6. Discreetly
f) To gradually cause someone to have (an attitude, feeling, etc.)
7. Persona
g) Basic rules about what should be done in a particular situation, event, etc.
8. Instil
h) People who look for other people in order to use, control or harm them in some way
9. Leeway
i) The sending of sexually explicit messages or images by mobile phones
10. Privileges
j) Someone who gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person
ACTIVITY 3 Imagine that you are a parent who would like to set ground rules with your children for safe computer and smartphone or tablet usage. What are the rules that you think will ensure your children’s safety? Discuss with your friends and complete the table below with at least five rules for each column. Rules on using digital devices Computer
Smartphone/Tablet
1. e
2. g
ANSWERS:
3. I
4. h
5. j
6. a
7. c
8. f
9. b
10. d