21世纪英文报

Appendix 1:

1. Parents pick up on

social media

Would you add your

parents on WeChat? This

has become one of the

biggest questions facing

young Chinese in an age of

*unprecedented digital

interconnectedness. In

a poll conducted by the

Huashang Bao newspaper

in Xi’an, 17 of 40 young

people polled said they

have added their parents

on WeChat, but 14

blocked them from seeing

their “friends’ circles” -- a

space where friends can

share pictures and posts

with one another. Of the

20 parents polled, 12 have added their children on WeChat but only could see his or her ch ild’s *updates.

The other 11 parents had

been blocked by their kids from having access to their friends’ circles despite being able to send them messages on WeChat.

Some children say they’re not comfortable with their parents combing through their everyday activities and photos, as their parents either don’t approve of the things they do for fun, or would constantly worry over what they consider unsafe or inappropriate behavior. Others say their friends’ circles are for friends of a similar age with simila r

interests, and their parents wouldn’t understand. However, some say parents’ feelings would be hurt if they discovered their children restricted their access to this part of their social life.

So, what is your opinion? Should young people share their everyday activities with their parents through social media like WeChat?

Yes.

Some young people are blocking their parents on social media. QUANJING

Young people can be friends with their parents.

1. Social media is an efficient and informal way for children to keep in touch with their parents. Regular phone calls are still necessary, but with social media parents can keep current on their children’s daily activities, and nothing pleases parents more than that.

2. Children often underestimate their parents’ tech *savvy. Not only are many parents on social media like WeChat, many are also surprisingly understanding of young people’s thinking and lifestyles. Before automatically blocking their parents from their friends’ circles, young people should think twice.

3. Many children have difficult relationships with their parents. Social media represents an opportunity to *reboot those relationships. By treating each other as friends and equals on social media, families can overcome any previous sour feelings and work to rebuild their relationships.

No.

The generation gap can’t b e *underestimated.

1. Just as we block colleagues, bosses, teachers and others we don’t know very well on social media, many young people block their parents because they don’t share the same views. The generation gap is a natural phenomenon and there is nothing wrong with that.

2. Many Chinese parents are in the habit of worrying about every little thing their children do, which can hurt relationships. Social media would only worsen this problem, allowing parents to keep tabs on their kids’ every move.

3. Most young adults desire independence from their parents. Kids need to make their own choices. Barring their parents on social media allows kids room to grow and build the self-confidence necessary to have a successful life.

2. Students must train mind and body