Reading and Discussions
Risky Business
Imagine this. A 13-year-old girl named Emma posts her profile on a popular social networking website. She includes photos of herself dressed glamorously and wearing lots of makeup. She says her age is 19, and she lists her hobbies as dating older men, modeling, and shopping. She is contacted by lots of men and eventually meets one for a date. He invites her to his hotel room. He tries to lock the door, but luckily she realizes that she is in danger and escapes. When she gets home, she is shocked by what happened. I am shocked that she didn’t know she was playing a dangerous game.
Meeting people on the Internet is very dangerous. People often lie about who they are. You may think that you know someone on the Internet, but you don’t. Anyone can easily create a false identity. Pedophiles can pretend they are children and chat with kids and teens and even arrange to meet them. You have no control over the way people use any personal information you post on the Internet. I don’t think the Internet is a healthy way to make friends. Why not go to a party or join a sports club or gym, and socialize with real people ?
glamorously: with an exciting attraction
false: wrong; incorrect
identity: information that makes a person unique
pedophile: adult with sexual desire for children
socialize: to get along with; make friends with
1. According to the reading passage, why is it dangerous meeting people on the Internet?
false ID, pretend, pedophile, post, personal
Your answer may begin like: People on the Internet can easily create a false ...
2. Do you think the Internet does more harm than good?
good, harm, virtual, communicate, business, research, problem
Your answer may begin like: No. All things considered, I think the Internet does more good than harm. It’s ....