Why read this: Students see shopping apps every day. This short text helps them think about why the apps are so easy to use, and why some people buy too much. It uses simple words and short sentences. Students learn that apps like TikTok, Temu, and Shein are made to keep them watching and buying.
What to notice: Notice the names of the apps: TikTok, Temu, and Shein. Notice the numbers: 5 in 100 people, 8 in 10 people in China, and 86 billion dollars in America. Notice the new words: livestream shopping and impulse buy. The text says the same idea in two ways: the apps are fun, but they can also harm people.
Skills practised: Students practise reading short sentences for facts. They practise finding numbers and names in a text. They learn two new shopping words: livestream shopping and impulse buy. They also practise saying what they read in their own words. The open questions ask them to name three apps and describe a feeling.
Why we cannot stop shopping online
Apps like TikTok, Temu, and Shein make it easy to buy too much
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
Have you ever used a shopping app late at night? Did you click and buy something? The next day, did you feel sorry? Many young people do this. Some buy too much and cannot stop.
Apps like TikTok, Temu, and Shein are changing how we shop. They mix shopping with short videos and games. In , a host shows products on a live video. The host is friendly and funny. The host plays games and gives quick discounts. They ask viewers to buy right now, before the deal ends.
These apps are made to keep you watching and buying. When you buy something, your brain feels happy for a short time. Then the happy feeling goes away. Soon, you want to buy again. An is when you buy something without thinking first. Many people do this and feel bad later.
About 5 in 100 people have a shopping problem. They cannot stop buying, even when they have no money. They may hide bags from their family. In China, almost 8 in 10 people in one survey said they shop too much online. In America this year, people will spend about 86 billion dollars through social media.
Some governments want to make new rules for these apps. The European Union is now looking at Temu. They worry the apps push people to buy too much. But many shoppers enjoy these apps. Mark Griffiths is an expert on this problem. He says the line between fun and harm is very small.
Have you ever used a shopping app late at night? Did you click and buy something? The next day, did you feel sorry? Many young people do this. Some buy too much and cannot stop.
Apps like TikTok, Temu, and Shein are changing how we shop. They mix shopping with short videos and games. In , a host shows products on a live video. The host is friendly and funny. The host plays games and gives quick discounts. They ask viewers to buy right now, before the deal ends.
These apps are made to keep you watching and buying. When you buy something, your brain feels happy for a short time. Then the happy feeling goes away. Soon, you want to buy again. An is when you buy something without thinking first. Many people do this and feel bad later.
About 5 in 100 people have a shopping problem. They cannot stop buying, even when they have no money. They may hide bags from their family. In China, almost 8 in 10 people in one survey said they shop too much online. In America this year, people will spend about 86 billion dollars through social media.
Some governments want to make new rules for these apps. The European Union is now looking at Temu. They worry the apps push people to buy too much. But many shoppers enjoy these apps. Mark Griffiths is an expert on this problem. He says the line between fun and harm is very small.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
What is livestream shopping?
- 02
About how many people in 100 have a shopping problem?
- 03
Why is the European Union looking at Temu?
- 04
Name three shopping apps from the article and say what they do.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe how a person feels when they buy something on a shopping app.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
What is livestream shopping?
- 02
About how many people in 100 have a shopping problem?
- 03
Why is the European Union looking at Temu?
- 04
Name three shopping apps from the article and say what they do.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe how a person feels when they buy something on a shopping app.
Suggested length: ~50 words