In 2016, inspired by a challenge called the “16 for 16”, where a mother gave her daughter $1,600 when she turned 16 if she stayed off social media, Lorna Klefsaas decided to up the ante (赌注) to two extra years and $200 more for her son, Sivert Klefsaas.
As a 12-year-old, Sivert wasn’t using social media much. The only app he had prior to the bet was Snapchat — which he deleted a day after trying it out. So it wasn’t too difficult to live without social media, and he didn’t think about it much during the six years. “I wouldn’t say there was ever a time when I thought I was about to break,” he said. “As it went on, it was more of a pride thing.”
Lorna never had to check for any secretly downloaded apps. “I got to avoid all the unnecessary drama that was on there. I had my friends to keep me up to date on the latest information or trends.” Sivert said. “It meant I had more time to focus on my grades and sports instead.”
On February 19, 2022, Sivert claimed his prize. Now $1,800 richer, Sivert hasn’t thought about what to buy, but it’ll likely be something for his dorm room at the University of St. Paul, which he’ll attend in the fall.
After Sivert’s success, Lorna turned to Facebook to share the challenge. She said it was some of the best money she ever spent. Other parents seemed interested in trying it out too. “We are certainly not against social media, but it’s the healthy using of it,” Lorna noted. “It’s about not letting yourself get weighed down by it, or addicted to it, or affected by things that people post.”
Now Sivert has a new perspective on staying off social media. “It was awesome. Ah, what about 6 more years? Thank you, Mom.”
【小题1】Why did Lorna bet her son?| A．To challenge. | B．To persuade. | C．To punish. | D．To imitate. |
| A．He almost became broken down. |
| B．He jumped at the idea and stuck to it. |
| C．He tried out his new app continuously. |
| D．He just downloaded an app, Snapchat. |
| A．By being supervised by his mother. |
| B．By watching dramas in the theater. |
| C．By aiming at his academic standards. |
| D．By dreaming of his prize with eagerness. |
| A．A successful 18-for-18 bet. | B．A social media campaign. |
| C．Sivert, a boy who won the bet. | D．Lorna, a mother who awarded her son. |
