I realized this spring that I have spent far too much time on the internet this past year, for obvious reasons, I suspect I'm not alone. And just like magic, Suzanne park's Sunny Song will never Be Famous came across my desk, a story about a 17-year old Korean American influencer who ends up in a digital detox (脱瘾) camp. My first reaction was to shrink (退缩), worried about how much of my social media self I would see in this book, and how much relative cure I would undoubtedly require as a result. But Sunny Song is such an amazing character that I was laughing out loud by page 10.

Sunny was literally born an influencer. Thanks to a video of Sunny dancing as a child, “Goggle Girl” became internet famous. She kept up the character as she grew older, obtaining almost 10,000 subscribers to her You Tube channel alone. But disaster strikes when she forgets to turn off the camera one afternoon during a live stream and a brownie ( a cake ) cooking video turns into an unprepared show with Sunny in underwear. The widely spread “Brownie Gate” will result in Sunny's being kicked out from her L A. private school-unless her parents send her to a digital detox camp, under the principal's request.

The customers in the camp are internet addicts ranging from fantasy sports and gaming players to mean girl internet celebrities. Sunny is forced to spend a month in the cornfields of Iowa on this historic family farm among these celebrities with no digital devices whatsoever, except the burner phone she brought secretly in because she's in the running for an influencer competition, and she actually has a shot!

Sunny Song Will never Be Famous was a total joy to read. I appreciate that Park does not approach social media as the enemy in this book, and for that reason I can enthusiastically recommend it to any young folks who are particularly skillful at web. Sunny reminds readers of the power of internet fare, and the consequences if that power isn't used widely.

Sales of Apple’s new iPhone 11 in China began on Friday, but were met with a cooler reception from consumers than in previous years. Unlike in previous years, no long lines were seen outside Chinese shops on Friday for the new iPhone, and the product release only made the headlines in a few media outlets.

Huawei unveiled（公布）its Mate 30 smartphone series on Thursday night. Its new devices have won consumers’ hearts at home and abroad. Many compared it with Apple’s new iPhone 11, saying that beats the new iPhone in terms of innovation and quality. One customer surnamed Zhao, an IT specialist who pre-ordered a Mate 30 Pro on Friday, said that he chose Mate 30 without hesitation. Zhao said, “It’s obvious that Huawei’s new phone with its advanced 5G mode would lead the future global telecommunications market, and its new innovative features in gesture and side control attracted my attention, too.”

In contrast with iPhone 11’s lukewarm（冷淡的）sales, Chinese netizens have engaged in discussions on Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro. An online poll on the Mate 30 and iPhone 11 on Weibo on Friday showed that more than 60 percent of netizens chose the Mate 30, while less than 20 percent chose the iPhone 11. Many chose Huawei not out of patriotism but for its technology.

Overseas consumers also engaged in vigorous（有力的）discussions on Huawei’s new flagship devices on technology sites and social media platforms. On Twitter, many netizens said “nice”, “best phone ever” and “my favorite one” on Huawei’s Twitter account. Some netizens in countries like the UK, the Netherlands and Argentina asked when Huawei’s new devices would be released in their countries.

Years ago, students applying to colleges and universities had to have their applications and personal essays printed out and then “snail-mailed”. Flash forward to today’s world of Facebook, Instagram and WeChat, where photos, videos and mobile phones rule. Fortunately, several new tools are making it easier for college applicants to use technology to show off their personalities, skills and creativity.

ZEEMEE

One of the more popular innovations in college applications is ZeeMee, a free mobile app that allows students to upload personal profiles and videos to create visual resumes. More than 220 colleges and universities offer a ZeeMee option as part of the application process. The video can show the unique creative aspects of the applicants.

THE COALITION LOCKER

Another relatively new tool comes from the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success, now used by more than 110 member colleges and universities. Among the group’s stated goals are getting students engaged in college prep early and using technology to create a supportive application process that encourages reflection and self-discovery.

Students who sign up for the free platform get access to a digital “locker”, which they can use all through high school to save class papers, artwork, newspaper stories, videos and photos to share with colleges when they eventually apply.

VIDEO — CHAT INTERVIEWS

At some schools, an interview with an admission officer is an important part of the application process. To make it easier, several virtual interviewing tools have popped up, such as a video-based platform from Kira. More than 140 universities worldwide use Kira’s video assessment tool to conduct real-time interviews with prospective students. During the interview, candidates are shown the questions prerecorded by the particular school and must respond in real time by talking into the camera on their laptop or phone. In addition to showing their ability, to speak fluently in English and think on their feet, it helps admission officers determine the “motivation, commitment and drive” of applicants.

UNIQUE SCHOOL TOOLS

Some universities have come up with their own ways to allow students to show their skills and personalities. For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, encourages applicants to display their technical abilities and creativity by submitting a “Maker Portfolio” —a written or videotaped description of a project that shows creative and problem-solving skills. While a new app would fit the bill, the project could be anything from an origami design to a potato cannon.