At present, we can use computers or smart phones to text messages to the friends around the world. We can buy fruit from Brazil or see movies made in India on the websites. But how can we get to know and understand people who are living in different countries better?

As we all know, it is beneficial for teenagers to have more knowledge and understand the world better. We must remember that they are the decision-makers of the future. To shape the world in the interests of all, we should help them to act as responsible global citizens (公民). So it is important for them to learn more about how other people live in different parts of the world. By doing this, they can find out what problems they have in their communities and decide how they can help each other better.

A charity (慈善) group in the UK started a project for Africa in February, 2004. The aim of the project was to take a fresh look at Africa's past and present and the international community's role in its development. Lots of British students took part in the project. Students from 25 UK schools connected with students from 25 African schools to discuss the African Continent (非洲) and its culture on the Internet. Some students from the poor areas in Africa were taken to the places that had computers, so they could take part in the project. Students used their computers to work on the Internet and send emails. They could even design their own web pages with pictures, sounds and videos. Together the teenagers built a website which went live in June, 2005. Through the project teenagers were encouraged to study the different cultures of Africa as well as some of the problems facing young people in Africa.

Now, more and more projects have been started since then all around the world. Teenagers from schools in different countries are still trying to make connections and find out more about each other. Let's hope these projects help teenagers understand more about the lives of others on the other side of the world.

“Multitask”—doing several things at the same time—is considered a welcome skill by most people. But if we consider the situation of the young people aged from eight to eighteen, we should think again.

Nowadays, young people always juggle a large number of electronic devices (电子产品) as they study. While working, they also surf on the Internet, send out emails, answer the telephone and listen to music on their iPods. In a sense, they are spending a large amount of time in fruitless efforts as they multitask.

Multitasking is even changing the relationship between family members. As young people give so much attention to their own worlds, they seem to have no time to spend with the other people around them. They can no longer greet family members when they enter the house, nor can they eat at the family table.

Multitasking also affects young people’s performance at university and in the workplace. When asked about their opinions of the effects of modern gadgets (器具) on their performance of tasks, many young people gave a positive (积极的) response (反应). However, the response from the worlds of education and business was not quite as positive. Educators feel that multitasking by children has a serious effect on later development of study skills. They believe that many college students now need help to improve their study skills. Similarly, employers feel that young people entering the job market need to be taught all over again, as modern gadgets have made it unnecessary for them to learn special skills to do their work.

Normally, most junior 9 students would be running, doing sit-ups or push-ups on the playground at the end of April. They would be preparing for their coming physical education (PE) test. The test is important because it’s worth 30 to 40 points on the senior high school entrance exam.

But due to the Covid-19 outbreak of this year 2020, many places like Shanghai and Zhejiang have canceled the test this year. Many students and parents have been discussing this change.

“I feel so relieved (欣慰的) that I don’t need to run an 800-meter race or skip rope (跳绳) in hot weather,”   said Zhao Jiawen, 15, a student from Shanghai. Since she has been stuck at home, Zhao’s mom has been making delicious snacks. And she’s always sitting in front of the computer taking her online classes and watching TV on the sofa. “Honestly, I haven’t run even once and have put on some weight. It would drive me crazy to review my lessons and spend time exercising at the same time,” Zhao added.

But for Deng Zirui, a student from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, his efforts might be wasted. He has been running in the morning and doing 50 push-ups at his home every day. He has also been climbing stairs to build his leg strength. “It’s not fair to students who have prepared carefully for the PE test when it’s canceled. My son really worked hard and wanted to gain some advantages in the coming test,” said Deng’s father.

Many students are still waiting for the Ministry of Education’s “ specific” instructions regarding the PE test. “ This year, we can make some changes to meet different needs, such as canceling long-distance running to keep students safe,” said Wang Zongping, a professor at the Nanjing University of Science and Technology. “But for Chinese teenagers, the test is a really good way to build up their immunity (免疫力), build their confidence and keep healthy habits.”