英國媒體監管機構英國通信管理局（Ofcom）的一份報告顯示，2019年，英國半數的十歲兒童擁有自己的智能手機。九至十歲的低齡機主人數翻了一番，該年齡段被英國通信管理局稱為 “數碼自主的年齡”。

For the first time, half of Britain's 10-year-olds now own a smartphone. But the nature of innovation on the web means it is getting harder for parents to keep up with them. Compared to even a year ago, the range of platforms and apps being used has grown sharply, with a particularly striking rise in use of WhatsApp, Tik Tok and Twitch – less so Instagram, and Facebook is so 2018!

英國十歲兒童中半數擁有智能手機，這是史無前例的。但網絡創新的本質意味著家長們越來越難以跟上孩子們的步伐。僅與一年前相比，人們使用的網絡平臺和移動應用程序種類已大幅增長。其中，瓦次普（WhatsApp）、抖音（Tik Tok）和 “Twitch”（游戲直播平臺）的使用量增長尤為明顯。照片墻（Instagram）的漲勢相對較弱，而臉書（Facebook）已是早在2018年流行的社交平臺了。

Two million parents now think the internet does more harm than good. That's despite the growth in online activism with older kids more likely to sign petitions or promote causes.

現在有兩百萬名家長認為網絡的影響弊大于利。盡管與此同時，網絡行動主義有所發展——年齡較大的孩子們更有可能通過網絡簽署請愿書或推動公益事業。

One of the most striking developments is the growth in gaming, particularly among girls. Just under half of five to fifteen-year-old girls play games online, up from 39% in 2018. In short, children are spending much more time online doing a far broader range of things and getting hooked on the internet at an ever earlier age.

最引人注目的一大發展是玩電子游戲人數的增長，尤其是在女孩子當中。有將近半數的五至十五歲女生在玩網絡游戲，而在2018年這一比例是39%。總之，兒童上網的時間越來越長、做的事情種類更廣、沉迷網絡的年齡也越來越小。

詞匯

nature 本質
range 種類，范圍
platforms 平臺
striking rise 顯著的增長
activism 行動主義
causes 事業，原則，理想
gaming 玩電子游戲
hooked 入迷的，上癮的

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題 。

1. Compared to last year, how much more are children using the range of apps and platforms?

2. True or false? More girls than boys are now gaming.

3. Who is worried that the internet is doing more harm than good?

4. What is happening to the age of children who are getting hooked on the internet?

答案

1. Compared to last year, how much more are children using the range of apps and platforms?
Compared to even a year ago, the range of platforms and apps being used has grown sharply – which means they are being used much more than even a year ago.

2. True or false? More girls than boys are now gaming.
False. This is not said, but the research has found that there is a growth in gaming, particularly among girls.

3. Who is worried that the internet is doing more harm than good?
Two million parents now think the internet does more harm than good.

4. What is happening to the age of children who are getting hooked on the internet?
Children are getting hooked on the internet at an ever earlier age.