[Opinion] The impact of digital communication on youth literacy
Some people think that increasing communication usage of computers and mobile phones by young people has had a negative effect on their reading and writing skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Agree:
Screens will have bluelight, which would impair someone’s visual, affecting their reading ability
It can be harder to read on screen / more distractions on screens such as advertisements
Without practice, people’s handwriting will be worsened
People will write slower, which might affect students taking written tests
Disagree:
People can read more effectively – can have search engines, built-in dictionary
People can read at night because most screens are lit
Majority of writing can be done electronically these days from work emails to contracts, so typing is actually a needed skill for modern office work
You can copy and paste content when you write on electronic devices so it is faster
You can edit your work more neatly when you make mistakes
Sample Answer:
It is believed that extensive exposure of youths to electronic devices for communication purposes leave detrimental consequences for their ability to read and write. Personally, I completely disagree with this notion.
There are several reasons why using electronics would evidently enhance one’s reading skills. Firstly, most tablets or mobile phones can provide their users with access to the Internet, which means they could use search engines like Google to find relevant information on their reading material. This in turn would provide contextual knowledge on the author, or provide related articles to help readers understand the passage more clearly. Next, many e-book platforms such as Kindle or Apple Books offer built-in dictionaries where users define unfamiliar terms as they read. This is particularly helpful for youngsters as it can help streamline the language learning process, making it more convenient for language learners.
At the same time, mobile phones and computers can aid youth’s writing skills. The first reason is that many word processors such as Google Docs or Microsoft Words offer grammatical and spelling checks, which help users identify their errors and correct them on the spot. Being able to receive active corrections can result in children being able to write with more accuracy and aiding their writing skill in the long run. Furthermore, many modern tablets come equipped with a responsive stylus which offers their users a traditional writing experience, so youth’s handwriting would not be hindered by technology. In fact, most students would be able to write more neatly since mistakes can be undone with a push of a button.
In conclusion, instead of negatively affecting one’s ability to read and write, I am of the opinion that electronics offer enhancements on such skills.
(285 Words)
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