Read the passage below and answer the question nos. 1-7 that follow:
'Digital detox' is a phrase that we hear more and more, instantly conjuring up loss of control, fear of addiction and imposed periods of 'cold turkey'. As parents, many of us are still beginners in this brave new digital world and rather than empowering our youth to blaze trails into the modern age, our suspicion of Snapchat and general fear of the unknown lead us to restrict or even reject these influences as we see them encroach further into our children's lives.
It's easy to see why the accessibility to technology can be a cause of concern. Bullies, predators and other nasties do exist in the cyber world, just as they do in the natural one. But while some try to combat the influence of social media and the demon 'screen time' on pupils (banning phones and switching off Wi-Fi are two solutions that have been tried), some have adopted a more 21st Century approach. They actively embrace technology as a force for good, incorporating technology in many aspects of their learning and well-being.
It's not just about gadgets and gizmos; digital is fast becoming the language of the age and one in which we must all be literate. Pupils can learn to code and use Swift Playgrounds, an incredibly powerful app which bring their ideas to life. It's the same platform which was used to create applications like Duolingo and Airbnb. In years 10 and 11, students gain experience with professional programming language C# and the new generation can get involved in a 'tech start-up' day.
What of the virtual world? No longer restricted to the realms of entertainment, the applications of VR are enormous, and schools can incorporate exciting technology into their lessons. Learning by doing is, after all, one of the most effective and neglected methods of learning. Just as an airline pilot will train in a simulator before being let loose with a plane full of passengers, VR allows access to global resources and immersive learning experiences with which to experiment, tackle problems, and take risks, in a virtual environment, free from fear. What a wonderful way to help students develop into curious, resilient, and resourceful adults!
A recent article in the Telegraph offered 'survival tips of parents on the technology battlefield'. The battlefield metaphor is a telling one. As parents we are right to worry about the screen time we allow our children and the teenage years can be fraught with the additional pressures of social media, but should blame be laid so squarely at the digital door?
The need to connect in social groups has existed since humans first walked the earth. Most of us want to be liked and to form friendships, and psychologists agree that this kind of affirmation is important for our mental health. Social media is just one of many channels through which we all do this and as adults, we must set a good example and equip young people with the information and skills to use technology responsibly. I believe that by teaching good practice and embedding key IT skills in the classroom, we can embrace technology as our friend here.
For the well-being of our students we should adopt a positive approach. We need to work with experts in psychological health to spearhead the use of an app-based digital toolkit that helps teachers and pupils to monitor and even restrain their emotions, developing positive habits of mind, improved social Wi-Fi and a shared language with which to better communicate both in the classroom and the wider world.

When applied in an intelligent way, technology really can be a force for good improving levels of academic attainment and helping us all to ride the peaks and troughs of everyday life with greater control. So, let's all engage with the app generation. The online realm is a challenging one but we must equip young people with the skills to explore it with confidence. It is the responsibility of parents and teachers to cast aside their suspicion, and to actively support children as they navigate these uncharted waters, for their own happy futures, and our own.

Digital devices are increasingly dominating our lives these days. Many, if not most of us are addicted to them. New studies emerge with alarming frequency about the dangers to our physical and mental health of being glued to our small screens. Children are not exercising; people are worrying about their body image because of online pressure from "perfect body" sites; and people are being bullied (or worse) by cyber-criminals. In a study of 1,000 adults in Japan, researchers discovered that nearly 50 per cent of the participants were addicted to their smartphones, but were unaware of their smartphone dependence. The study is one of many clarion calls for "digital detox" to become part of our lives.

The practice of digital detox involves switching off from the Internet to enjoy something called "real life". This involves the bygone custom of conversing with people face to face and "doing everyday stuff". The organisation Digital Detox Japan said: "We want detox to be a catalyst for people to rethink their distance from their devices…to set aside time to get ample rest." People need to rely less on devices to avoid the new phenomenon of "nomophobia" – NO MObile PHOBIA. Psychologist Dr Kia-Rai Prewitt warned of the dangers of being too absorbed in smartphones. She wrote: "If you ignore responsibilities at home or work because of the amount of time you spend online, then consider a digital detox."

The key word in the paper is ‘language’ but the one that changes the direction of study from its traditional view is ‘digital’. In a broad sense, language is a means of communication among people. But the communication that is discussed at hand refers to a specific type, that of technology, innovation, and rapid growth. ‘Digital’ describes electronic technology that generates, stores, and processes data. Nowadays social media and digital communication platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, Skype, Google Chat, Viber, Whatsapp, or email, remove the use of hand gestures, facial expressions, volume, pitch, and intonation. This is where emoticons step in, allowing online conversation to become easier, more effective, and more natural. The feeling can be expressed by a single character-sized graphic. Although they come with new technology, the language that is used in them has deep evolutionary origin, characterised by its inherently cooperative nature. Abbreviations, number homophones, and various symbols are used in poetry still in 19 century (Bombaugh in the “Essay to Miss Catherine Jay”). An interesting case is the origin of the abbreviation OK as a jokey misspelling of ‘all correct’ in early times as well as the contemporary use of the acronyms OMG and LOL, for example. Language emerges, changes, and continues to evolve in contexts of use. While this is a natural process, new technology is advancing the range and means available for interpersonal interaction. This is both fascinating and fun, especially for the young generation. The paper investigates texting: its origin, meaning, and characteristic features. It shows how to interpret the mix of abbreviations, acronyms, shortenings, emoticons, and symbols. It is a language similar to that once used by those sending telegraphs. It is just a simplified version of language. Even a single letter, digit, or sign alone or in combinations can replace a phoneme, a syllable, or a whole word. The paper questions whether the language of the digital age is more like writing or speech. Will typing replace speech or will our speech adapt to incorporate these textual changes? Finally the paper proves that although language itself changes slowly, the Internet fosters the process of these changes. The argument is supported by the British linguist David Crystal (2008) in his book Texting: The Gr8 Db8, “The main effect of the Internet on language has been to increase the expressive richness of language, providing the language with a new set of communicative dimensions that haven’t existed in the past.” Key words: language, communication, texting, digital age.

Humans inherently need social connection for emotional support, identity formation, skill development, practical cooperation, and overall well-being, which collectively enhances individual and societal resilience.

Connecting in social groups is a fundamental aspect of human existence, driven by various psychological, social, and practical needs. These connections are vital for personal development and societal function.

    
• Emotional Support and Belonging: Social groups provide a sense of belonging, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. They offer a support system during difficult times, allowing individuals to share experiences, seek advice, and receive comfort, which is crucial for mental health and emotional well-being.
    
• Identity Formation: Interacting with diverse individuals in groups helps shape one's identity. Through shared values, roles, and feedback, individuals understand who they are, where they fit in, and how they contribute to a larger whole.
    
• Skill Development: Social groups are natural environments for learning and developing social skills such as communication, empathy, cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution. They also facilitate the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and practical skills.
    
• Resource Sharing and Collective Action: Groups can pool resources, information, and networks, enabling members to achieve common goals or overcome challenges that would be difficult individually. This is particularly relevant in professional contexts for networking, mentorship, and collaboration.
    
• Safety and Security: Historically and currently, groups offer a measure of safety and security. There is strength in numbers, whether for physical protection or advocating for shared interests.
    
• Professional Advancement (Job Seekers Context): For job seekers and professionals, social groups (networking events, professional associations, online communities) are indispensable. They provide avenues for discovering job opportunities, gaining industry insights, finding mentors, building a professional reputation, and collaborating on projects.