Something changed a few years ago. Around 2012, teens started to spend their time much differently from the generation before. I started to notice big difference in teen's b{#blank#}1{#/blank#}and attitudes in the yearly survey of 11 million young people.

    A 2017 survey found that two out of three U.S. teens owned an iphone. For this reason, l call them iGen (iphone generation).

What makes iGen different?

    Growing up with a smart phone has affected nearly every aspect of their lives. They spend so much time on the internet, texting friends and on social media, an average of about six hours per day, so they have less free time for everything else. That i{#blank#}2{#/blank#}going to parties, shopping at the mall or watching movies with their friends. These were o{#blank#}3{#/blank#}the favorite activities of most teens. But now iGen teens are taking part in these social activities at lower rate than others.

    A link that should be noticed

    I wondered if these changes might be c{#blank#}4{#/blank#}to their deteriorating(退化）mental health. Sure enough, I found that teens who spend more time on screens are less happy and more disappointed. Meanwhile, a 2017 study asked some adults to give up Facebook felt happier, less l{#blank#}5{#/blank#}and less disappointed during the week as they had more free time for social activities like meeting friends, watching movies,etc.

    What else is lost?

    Spending less time with friends means less time to develop social abilities. A 2016 study showed that the sixth graders who spent just five days at a camp w{#blank#}6{#/blank#}using screens ended time better at reading expressions on others' faces.

    That isn't to say that iGen teens don't have a{#blank#}7{#/blank#}. They are physically safer and more tolerant (宽容). They also seem to have a stronger work spirit and more realistic expectations. To my surprise, the iGen teens I interviewed said they preferred seeing their friends in person to communicating with them using their phones.

    But it might be just what iGen needs.

    A middle school organized a "No TV Week" programme. All the teachers, p{#blank#}1{#/blank#} and students worked together for this programme and most of them found it to be a very g{#blank#}2{#/blank#} one. The headmaster said, "The idea was not to s{#blank#}3{#/blank#} watching TV completely but for the students just to find how much time they watch TV and try to use the t{#blank#}4{#/blank#} for other things.

    What did the students say about this "No TV Week"? One boy said, "I can't believe, I haven't watched TV for a week, but it's been fun doing it." A girl student said, "I'm going to give up all TV programmes except for Our Animal World' and other language teaching p{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. I'm really pleased that I have more time to do things like walking and thinking. I e{#blank#}6{#/blank#} this ‘No TV Week very much." But not all the students thought it was good. Here one student Tom said something d{#blank#}7{#/blank#}, "I don't like 'No TV Week because I like watching TV. I have lots of favourite programmes and I don't want to miss them. But we have to do it."

    Health is very important for us. Can you look after your health? Do you have a h{#blank#}1{#/blank#} habit? Do you know h{#blank#}2{#/blank#} to keep healthy? Here i{#blank#}3{#/blank#} some advice for you. First, you need to have some good eating habits. You should eat fruit and vegetables four or five times a week. And you need to eat tofu or drink m{#blank#}4{#/blank#} every day. Oh, don't forget to sleep n{#blank#}5{#/blank#} hours every night. Having e{#blank#}6{#/blank#} can help you feel much better. Doing some exercise is also necessary for you. We think the b{#blank#}7{#/blank#} way to relax is doing exercise. It is healthy for the brain and the b{#blank#}8{#/blank#}. Exercise such as playing sports is fun. But don't m{#blank#}9{#/blank#} yourself too tired. It's important to k{#blank#}10{#/blank#} happy and be friendly to others. I'm sure you can be strong.