Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Smartphones” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Evolution of Smartphones
1. How have smartphones changed over the years?
2. What was the first smartphone you ever used?
3. What features have been added to smartphones that were not there before?
4. How has the design of smartphones evolved?
5. What do you think smartphones will be like in the future?

II. Daily Usage
6. How often do you use your smartphone in a day?
7. What do you mostly use your smartphone for?
8. Do you think you spend too much time on your smartphone?
9. How has your smartphone improved your daily life?
10. Can smartphones be distracting?

III. Smartphone Technology
11. What are the most important features in a smartphone for you?
12. How do you think 5G will change smartphone usage?
13. What role do cameras play in today’s smartphones?
14. How do updates affect smartphone performance?
15. What are the technological limitations of current smartphones?

IV. Smartphones and Social Media
16. How have smartphones impacted the use of social media?
17. Do you think smartphones have improved social interactions?
18. How do you protect your privacy on social media via smartphone?
19. Can smartphones lead to social media addiction?
20. What is your favorite social media app on your smartphone?

V. Smartphones in Education
21. How can smartphones be used for educational purposes?
22. Should smartphones be allowed in classrooms?
23. What are the educational apps you use on your smartphone?
24. Can smartphones replace textbooks?
25. How do smartphones distract from learning?

VI. Smartphones and Health
26. Can smartphones impact physical health?
27. What are the benefits of health apps on smartphones?
28. How do smartphones affect sleep?
29. Are there any mental health concerns related to smartphone usage?
30. How can you reduce negative health effects from smartphones?

VII. Smartphones in Business
31. How have smartphones changed the way businesses operate?
32. Can smartphones improve productivity at work?
33. What are the best business apps you use on your smartphone?
34. How do smartphones facilitate remote work?
35. What are the challenges of using smartphones for business?

VIII. Security and Privacy
36. How secure is the data on your smartphone?
37. What steps do you take to protect your smartphone from hacking?
38. How do you manage app permissions on your smartphone?
39. What are the risks of public Wi-Fi networks for smartphones?
40. How do updates help with smartphone security?

IX. Smartphones and Entertainment
41. What are your favorite entertainment apps?
42. How have smartphones changed the way we consume media?
43. Do you use your smartphone for gaming?
44. What is the impact of streaming services on smartphones?
45. How do smartphones affect the music industry?

X. Purchasing Decisions
46. How do you choose which smartphone to buy?
47. What factors influence your decision to upgrade your smartphone?
48. Do you prefer brand loyalty or exploring different brands?
49. How do you research before buying a smartphone?
50. Is the cost of a smartphone always indicative of its quality?

XI. Impact on Society
51. How have smartphones changed society?
52. Do smartphones help in bridging cultural gaps?
53. What are the societal risks of smartphone dependency?
54. How do smartphones affect interpersonal communication?
55. Can smartphones lead to social isolation?

XII. Ethical and Environmental Concerns
56. What are the ethical concerns related to smartphone manufacturing?
57. How do smartphones impact the environment?
58. What happens to old smartphones?
59. Can smartphones be made more environmentally friendly?
60. How can consumers make responsible choices regarding smartphones?