- How can using a Computer sometimes turn out to be harmful?
• sitting in front of the Computer screen for many hours a day can damage your eyesight and is harmful to your spine;
• teenagers do not take enough physical exercise as they prefer to spend long hours sitting in front of the Computer screen;
• many people get addicted to playing Computer games and surfing on the Internet;
• many young peoples handwriting becomes illegible as they type morę often than write;
• morę and morę teenagers have problems with recognising the right spelling of words as they use a spell-check program for finding and correcting errors;
• using computers has resulted in a loss of many jobs in offices and banks;
• hackers can get practically into any database and steal important information;
• a lot of dangerous viruses are created every day - they can destroy disks and stored data before effective protection against them is found;
• dependence on Computer networks can lead to dangerous or chaotic situations when power is cut unexpectedly or networks are shut down.
' Why is compulsive use of the Internet believed to be dangerous?
Those addicted to the Internet:
• usually have Iow self-esteem and therefore they assume new strong and morę attractive identities in chat rooms and Online games;
• get alienated from the real world;
• have only virtual relationships as they communicate with others online rather than in person;
• lose control of how much time they spend in virtual reality;
• check their e-mail boxes morę often than necessary;
• often become nerrous, irritable and at times aggressive without access to the Web;
• neglect their duties; forget about meals, appointments, family occasions;
• deprive themselves of sleep;
• get estranged from their close family;
• suffer from headaches and eyesight disorders;
• cannot resist compulsive shopping online;
• have to pay excessively high phone bills if they use a modem.
fcfDaholism' is dangerous and cyber-addicts should get special treatment. This addiction is considered to be i rr.ental weakness and therefore it can be treated in the same way as any other type of addiction (alcoholism, ::>tinism, workaholism, drug addiction), i.e. through a step-by-step process in which cyber-addicts gradually ecuce the time they spend surfing on the Internet.
Dnline addicts need counselling with a psychologist. They can take part in counselling sessions held for - emet Addiction Support Groups. There are also websites for 'webaholics', on which advice and support are
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_ Would you support the idea that animal testing should be banned, or do you think that the use of animals for experiments is justified? Why?
.. 1. Why do researchers carry out experiments on animals?
• to test the effectiveness and safety of new pharmaceuticals (vaccines, drugs, etc.);
• to try out Chemical products such as cosmetics, shampoos, washing powders;
• to observe the development of serious diseases.