X has already started charging new users in New Zealand and the Philippines $1 to access the platform. Those who choose not to subscribe will have limited functionality, such as only being able to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts. Musk has previously expressed his belief that charging for the service is the solution to eliminating bots and fake accounts on the platform. Since taking over the company in October last year, he has been working to incentivize users to pay for an enhanced service, now called X Premium. Some users currently pay $8 per month for the blue check subscription service, and the "Not A Bot" subscription method aims to reduce spam and bot activity.
Musk's efforts to generate revenue on X have faced challenges, including advertisers halting ads on the platform due to concerns about inappropriate content. He has made changes to the platform, such as mass layoffs and disbanding content moderation teams, which have impacted revenue. Musk has blamed activists for pressuring advertisers and has tried to attract them back with discounts. Other tech companies, like YouTube and Netflix, have also experimented with a combination of ad-supported and subscription plans.
The European Commission recently launched an investigation into X to determine if it complies with new tech rules regarding illegal and harmful content. This investigation was prompted by the spread of disinformation on the platform following Hamas's attack on Israel. It remains to be seen how X will address these concerns and continue to evolve its business model.
Original news source: Elon Musk says X to have two new premium tiers (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then write a concise summary of the main points. They should focus on key details such as Elon Musk's announcement of premium subscription tiers, the introduction of ad-free options, and the challenges faced by X in generating revenue.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss their opinions on the introduction of premium subscription tiers on social media platforms. They should consider the pros and cons, as well as their own experiences with ads on social media. After the discussion, each group will present their opinions to the class and engage in a debate.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Students will work individually and choose a key concept or idea from the article, such as the introduction of ad-free options or the challenges faced by X. They will then create a sketch or drawing that represents their chosen concept. Afterward, they will present their sketches to the class and explain the meaning behind their drawings.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns selecting and drawing vocabulary words related to the article, such as premium subscription, functionality, or disinformation. Their partner must guess the word based on their drawing. This activity will help students practice their vocabulary and visual communication skills.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Students will work individually and create a list of the pros and cons of charging for enhanced social media services, as mentioned in the article. They should consider both the benefits and drawbacks for users and the platform itself. Afterward, they will share their lists with a partner and engage in a discussion about their findings.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Elon Musk, the CEO of X (formerly known as Twitter), has announced that the media will two new premium subscription tiers. In a recent post, Musk stated that one tier will all features at a lower cost but will still include ads, while the other tier will be more expensive but will be ad-free. The details of these plans have not been revealed yet, and it is unclear if there will be any free options available. X has already started charging new users in New Zealand and the Philippines $1 to access the platform. Those who choose not to subscribe will have limited , such as only being able to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts. Musk has previously expressed his belief that charging for the is the solution to eliminating bots and fake accounts on the platform. Since taking over the in October last year, he has been working to incentivize to pay for an enhanced service, now called X Premium. Some users currently pay $8 per month for the blue check subscription service, and the "Not A Bot" subscription method aims to reduce spam and bot activity. Musk's to generate revenue on X have faced , including advertisers halting ads on the platform due to concerns about inappropriate content. He has made changes to the platform, such as mass layoffs and disbanding content moderation , which have revenue. Musk has blamed activists for pressuring advertisers and has tried to attract them back with discounts. Other tech companies, like YouTube and Netflix, have also experimented with a combination of ad-supported and plans. The European Commission recently launched an investigation into X to if it complies with new tech rules illegal and harmful . This investigation was prompted by the spread of disinformation on the platform following Hamas's attack on Israel. It remains to be seen how X will address these concerns and continue to evolve its business model.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is your opinion on social media platforms introducing premium subscription tiers?
2. How would you feel if you had to pay to access a social media platform like X?
3. Do you think charging for the service can effectively eliminate bots and fake accounts? Why or why not?
4. What is your experience with encountering inappropriate content on social media platforms?
5. How do you think X can attract advertisers back to the platform despite concerns about inappropriate content?
6. Do you believe that a combination of ad-supported and subscription plans is a good business model for tech companies? Why or why not?
7. What is your opinion on the European Commission launching an investigation into X regarding illegal and harmful content?
8. How do you think X should address the concerns raised by the European Commission?
9. What measures do you think X can take to evolve its business model and ensure compliance with new tech rules?
10. Have you ever encountered disinformation on a social media platform? How did it affect your perception of the platform?
11. How do you think X can effectively combat the spread of disinformation following significant events like Hamas's attack on Israel?
12. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of introducing premium subscription tiers on social media platforms?
13. Do you think the introduction of premium subscription tiers will impact user engagement on X? Why or why not?
14. How important is it for social media platforms to have ad-free options? Why?
15. What changes do you think X needs to make to its platform to ensure a successful transition to a premium subscription model?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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