An increasing number of people are adopting a practice called “monk mode” to limit their use of social media. This approach involves dedicating oneself to a single task without any distractions from technology. To help with this, individuals are using apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest, which allow them to block specific social media sites or turn off internet access entirely. These apps have gained popularity as people recognize the addictive nature of social media and the need to resist constantly checking notifications and scrolling through feeds.

Susie Alegre, a human rights lawyer and author, uses the Freedom app to block social media sites when she needs to focus on her work. She believes that relying solely on willpower to limit smartphone use is incredibly difficult. Grace Marshall, an author and productivity coach, explains that social media and work emails create open loops in our minds, leading to distractions and a desire for instant gratification. Marshall suggests that workplaces establish guidelines for expected response times to messages or emails to protect employees’ work-life balance and mental health.

The founder of the Freedom app, Fred Stutzman, developed the app after realizing he was spending too much time on Facebook instead of working on his dissertation. He believes that social media platforms are designed to be addictive and stimulating, making it challenging for individuals to resist constant checking. Stutzman sees his app as a way to push back against technology and regain control over our digital habits. The Freedom app has seen a significant increase in users during the pandemic, with Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter being the most blocked sites.

For those who prefer not to rely on apps, productivity and mindset coach Mark Channon recommends making small changes in daily routines to manage distractions. He suggests asking oneself what the most important task of the day is and focusing on that. Vladimir Druts, co-founder of FocusMe, emphasizes the need to take social media addiction seriously and views monk mode as a movement against the desire for instant gratification. He believes that with the rise of artificial intelligence, distractions from technology will only increase, making monk mode even more important in the future.

In conclusion, the practice of monk mode, which involves limiting social media use and other distractions, is gaining popularity as people recognize the addictive nature of technology. Apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest are helping individuals block social media sites and regain focus on important tasks. The founder of the Freedom app believes that social media platforms are designed to be addictive, making it difficult for individuals to resist constant checking. To protect work-life balance and mental health, productivity coach Grace Marshall suggests establishing guidelines for expected response times to messages or emails. As distractions from technology continue to increase, monk mode is expected to gain even more traction in the future.

Original news source: The people going ‘monk mode’ to limit social media use (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Provide each group with a copy of the article or a summary of the article. Instruct the groups to read the article or summary and then work together to create a concise news summary of the main points. After a set amount of time, have each group share their summary with the class and discuss any differences or similarities between the summaries.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Instruct each group to come up with three discussion questions related to the article. These questions can be open-ended or opinion-based. Once the groups have their questions, have them take turns asking each other the questions and recording their answers. After everyone has had a chance to answer the questions, have a class discussion where groups share their answers and discuss any differences or similarities in opinions.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Instruct each group to make a list of the pros and cons of using apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest to limit social media use. After a set amount of time, have each group share their lists with the class. Facilitate a discussion where groups can compare their lists and debate the advantages and disadvantages of using these apps.

– Future Predictions

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Instruct each group to discuss and make predictions about the future of social media use and the practice of monk mode. They should consider the impact of technology advancements, societal trends, and personal habits. After a set amount of time, have each group share their predictions with the class and discuss any similarities or differences in their ideas.

– Headline Creation

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Instruct each group to create a catchy headline that summarizes the main idea of the article. Encourage them to be creative and concise. After a set amount of time, have each group share their headline with the class. Discuss the different approaches and discuss why certain headlines may be more effective than others.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is “monk mode” and why are more people adopting this practice?
2. What are some of the apps that people are using to limit their use of social media?
3. Why does Susie Alegre use the Freedom app?
4. According to Grace Marshall, why do social media and work emails lead to distractions?
5. Why did Fred Stutzman develop the Freedom app?
6. Which social media platforms are most commonly blocked using the Freedom app?
7. What alternative approach does Mark Channon recommend for managing distractions?
8. According to Vladimir Druts, why is monk mode important in the face of increasing distractions from technology?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

An increasing (1)______ of people are (2)______ a practice called “monk mode” to limit their use of social media. This approach involves dedicating oneself to a single task without any distractions from technology. To help with this, individuals are using apps like (3)______, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest, which allow them to block specific social media sites or turn off internet access entirely. These apps have gained popularity as people recognize the addictive nature of social media and the need to resist constantly checking notifications and scrolling through feeds.

Susie Alegre, a human rights lawyer and author, uses the Freedom app to block social media sites when she needs to focus on her work. She believes that relying solely on (4)______ to limit smartphone use is incredibly difficult. (5)______ Marshall, an author and productivity coach, explains that social media and work emails create open loops in our minds, leading to distractions and a desire for instant gratification. Marshall (6)______ that workplaces establish guidelines for (7)______ response times to messages or emails to protect employees’ work-life balance and mental health.

The founder of the Freedom app, Fred Stutzman, developed the app after (8)______ he was spending too much time on Facebook instead of working on his dissertation. He believes that social media platforms are designed to be addictive and stimulating, making it challenging for individuals to resist constant checking. Stutzman sees his app as a way to push back against technology and regain control over our digital habits. The Freedom app has seen a significant increase in (9)______ during the pandemic, with Instagram, (10)______, and Twitter being the most blocked sites.

For those who prefer not to rely on apps, productivity and mindset coach Mark Channon recommends making small changes in daily routines to manage distractions. He suggests asking oneself what the most important task of the day is and focusing on that. Vladimir Druts, co-founder of FocusMe, emphasizes the need to take (11)______ media addiction seriously and views monk mode as a movement against the desire for instant gratification. He believes that with the rise of artificial (12)______, distractions from technology will only increase, making monk mode even more important in the future.

In conclusion, the practice of monk mode, which involves limiting social media use and other distractions, is gaining popularity as people recognize the addictive nature of technology. Apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest are helping individuals block social media sites and regain focus on important tasks. The founder of the Freedom app believes that social media platforms are (13)______ to be addictive, making it difficult for individuals to resist constant checking. To (14)______ work-life balance and mental health, productivity coach Grace Marshall suggests establishing guidelines for expected (15)______ times to messages or emails. As distractions from technology continue to increase, monk mode is expected to gain even more traction in the (16)______.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is “monk mode” and how does it help limit social media use?
2. How would you feel if you had to block specific social media sites or turn off internet access entirely? Why?
3. Do you think relying solely on willpower to limit smartphone use is difficult? Why or why not?
4. What are some potential benefits of establishing guidelines for expected response times to messages or emails in the workplace?
5. How do you think social media platforms are designed to be addictive and stimulating?
6. Why do you think the Freedom app has seen a significant increase in users during the pandemic?
7. Do you think making small changes in daily routines can effectively manage distractions? Why or why not?
8. How do distractions from technology affect our desire for instant gratification?
9. What are some potential drawbacks of relying on apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest to limit social media use?
10. Why do you think the founder of the Freedom app believes that monk mode is a way to regain control over our digital habits?
11. How do you think monk mode can protect work-life balance and mental health?
12. How do you think distractions from technology will continue to increase with the rise of artificial intelligence?
13. Do you think monk mode is a sustainable practice in the long term? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the popularity of monk mode reflects society’s awareness of the addictive nature of technology?
15. What are some other strategies you can think of to limit social media use and manage distractions?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. monk
2. mode
3. social
4. media
5. distractions
6. technology
7. addictive
8. focus

Meanings:
(a) The act of directing attention or effort towards something
(b) A person who dedicates themselves to a religious life
(c) Relating to society and interaction between people
(d) A particular way of doing something
(e) Things that divert attention or prevent concentration
(f) Causing a strong and harmful need to regularly do or have something
(g) The use of scientific knowledge to create tools and machines
(h) Forms of communication that allow people to share information and ideas
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the purpose of the “monk mode” practice?
(a) To increase social media addiction
(b) To encourage constant checking of notifications
(c) To promote the use of technology in daily life
(d) To limit social media use and other distractions

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an app that can help with monk mode?
(a) ColdTurkey
(b) Freedom
(c) FocusMe
(d) Instagram

3. Why does Susie Alegre use the Freedom app?
(a) To increase her social media addiction
(b) To constantly check notifications and scroll through feeds
(c) To block social media sites and focus on her work
(d) To rely solely on willpower to limit smartphone use

4. According to Grace Marshall, what do social media and work emails create in our minds?
(a) Open loops and distractions
(b) Instant gratification and focus
(c) Addiction and stimulation
(d) Guidelines and response times

5. Why did Fred Stutzman develop the Freedom app?
(a) Because he wanted to increase social media addiction
(b) Because he was spending too much time on Facebook instead of working
(c) Because he believed in relying solely on willpower to limit smartphone use
(d) Because he wanted to establish guidelines for expected response times to messages or emails

6. Which social media platforms are mentioned as the most blocked sites on the Freedom app?
(a) Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
(b) Snapchat, TikTok, and LinkedIn
(c) YouTube, Pinterest, and Reddit
(d) WhatsApp, WeChat, and Line

7. What does productivity coach Mark Channon recommend for managing distractions?
(a) Increasing social media addiction
(b) Constantly checking notifications and scrolling through feeds
(c) Blocking specific social media sites or turning off internet access entirely
(d) Making small changes in daily routines

8. According to Vladimir Druts, why is monk mode important in the future?
(a) Because social media platforms are not addictive
(b) Because work-life balance and mental health are not important
(c) Because distractions from technology will only increase
(d) Because artificial intelligence will decrease distractions from technology

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest are not used to block specific social media sites or turn off internet access entirely.
2. Monk mode is expected to gain more traction in the future as distractions from technology continue to increase.
3. Susie Alegre, a human rights lawyer and author, does not use the Freedom app to block social media sites when she needs to focus on her work.
4. Relying solely on willpower to limit smartphone use is incredibly difficult, according to Susie Alegre.
5. Social media and work emails do not create open loops in our minds, leading to distractions and a desire for instant gratification, says productivity coach Grace Marshall.
6. The Freedom app has gained popularity during the pandemic, with Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter being the most blocked sites.
7. The practice of “monk mode” does not involve limiting the use of social media and other distractions.
8. The founder of the Freedom app, Fred Stutzman, developed the app after realizing he was spending too much time on Facebook instead of working on his dissertation.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the purpose of apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest?
2. How does Susie Alegre use the Freedom app to help her focus on her work?
3. According to Grace Marshall, what negative effects can social media and work emails have on our minds?
4. Why did Fred Stutzman create the Freedom app?
5. What alternative methods does Mark Channon suggest for managing distractions without using apps?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is “monk mode” and why are more people adopting this practice?
“Monk mode” is a practice where individuals limit their use of social media and other distractions to focus on a single task. More people are adopting this practice because they recognize the addictive nature of social media and the need to resist constantly checking notifications and scrolling through feeds.

2. What are some of the apps that people are using to limit their use of social media?
Some of the apps that people are using to limit their use of social media include Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest.

3. Why does Susie Alegre use the Freedom app?
Susie Alegre uses the Freedom app to block social media sites when she needs to focus on her work. She believes that relying solely on willpower to limit smartphone use is incredibly difficult.

4. According to Grace Marshall, why do social media and work emails lead to distractions?
According to Grace Marshall, social media and work emails create open loops in our minds, leading to distractions and a desire for instant gratification.

5. Why did Fred Stutzman develop the Freedom app?
Fred Stutzman developed the Freedom app after realizing he was spending too much time on Facebook instead of working on his dissertation. He believes that social media platforms are designed to be addictive and stimulating, making it challenging for individuals to resist constant checking.

6. Which social media platforms are most commonly blocked using the Freedom app?
The most commonly blocked social media platforms using the Freedom app are Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

7. What alternative approach does Mark Channon recommend for managing distractions?
Mark Channon recommends making small changes in daily routines to manage distractions. He suggests asking oneself what the most important task of the day is and focusing on that.

8. According to Vladimir Druts, why is monk mode important in the face of increasing distractions from technology?
According to Vladimir Druts, monk mode is important in the face of increasing distractions from technology because with the rise of artificial intelligence, distractions will only increase. Monk mode is seen as a movement against the desire for instant gratification.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) number
(2) adopting
(3) Freedom
(4) willpower
(5) Grace
(6) suggests
(7) expected
(8) realizing
(9) users
(10) Facebook
(11) social
(12) intelligence
(13) designed
(14) protect
(15) response
(16) future
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. monk
Answer: (b) A person who dedicates themselves to a religious life

2. mode
Answer: (d) A particular way of doing something

3. social
Answer: (c) Relating to society and interaction between people

4. media
Answer: (h) Forms of communication that allow people to share information and ideas

5. distractions
Answer: (e) Things that divert attention or prevent concentration

6. technology
Answer: (g) The use of scientific knowledge to create tools and machines

7. addictive
Answer: (f) Causing a strong and harmful need to regularly do or have something

8. focus
Answer: (a) The act of directing attention or effort towards something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the purpose of the “monk mode” practice?
Answer: (d) To limit social media use and other distractions

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an app that can help with monk mode?
Answer: (b) Freedom

3. Why does Susie Alegre use the Freedom app?
Answer: (c) To block social media sites and focus on her work

4. According to Grace Marshall, what do social media and work emails create in our minds?
Answer: (a) Open loops and distractions

5. Why did Fred Stutzman develop the Freedom app?
Answer: (b) Because he was spending too much time on Facebook instead of working

6. Which social media platforms are mentioned as the most blocked sites on the Freedom app?
Answer: (a) Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

7. What does productivity coach Mark Channon recommend for managing distractions?
Answer: (d) Making small changes in daily routines

8. According to Vladimir Druts, why is monk mode important in the future?
Answer: (c) Because distractions from technology will only increase
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Apps like Freedom, ColdTurkey, FocusMe, and Forest are not used to block specific social media sites or turn off internet access entirely. (Answer: False)
2. Monk mode is expected to gain more traction in the future as distractions from technology continue to increase. (Answer: True)
3. Susie Alegre, a human rights lawyer and author, does not use the Freedom app to block social media sites when she needs to focus on her work. (Answer: False)
4. Relying solely on willpower to limit smartphone use is incredibly difficult, according to Susie Alegre. (Answer: True)
5. Social media and work emails do not create open loops in our minds, leading to distractions and a desire for instant gratification, says productivity coach Grace Marshall. (Answer: False)
6. The Freedom app has gained popularity during the pandemic, with Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter being the most blocked sites. (Answer: True)
7. The practice of “monk mode” does not involve limiting the use of social media and other distractions. (Answer: False)
8. The founder of the Freedom app, Fred Stutzman, developed the app after realizing he was spending too much time on Facebook instead of working on his dissertation. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧