Digital Habits Across Different Age Groups
Today, older people are joining their grandchildren on social media. But, the way they use the internet is very different.
In the UK, more and more people over 55 are joining Facebook. Soon, they'll be the second biggest group on the site. There are 3.5 million users aged 55–64 and 2.9 million users over 65.
Mary, who is 59, joined Facebook to see what her grandchildren are up to. Her daughter posts videos and photos of them. Mary thinks it's much better than waiting for letters in the post, like she did when she was a child. She feels lucky to see so much of their lives.
Interestingly, Mary's grandchildren don't use Facebook much. In fact, fewer kids under 17 are using the site now. Only 2.2 million users are under 17. But, they're still using their phones a lot. Karen, who is 15, even sleeps with her phone. She uses it as her alarm clock and checks it before she sleeps and as soon as she wakes up.
Unlike her grandmother, Karen spends a lot of time on her phone at home. Because of this, she doesn't spend as much time with her friends in real life.
On the other hand, Mary has reconnected with old friends from school she hasn't heard from in forty years. They use Facebook to arrange to meet up all over the country. Facebook has changed Mary's social life completely.
Parents like Harry, who is 38 and has two teenagers, might be the reason why teenagers are so hooked on their phones. Harry used to be on his phone or laptop all the time. He felt like he was always working. He realised he couldn't tell his kids to get off their phones if he was always on his. So, he now puts his SIM card into an old-style mobile phone that can only make calls and send text messages in the evenings and weekends. This way, he's setting a better example for his kids and spending more quality time with them.
Will older and younger people start using their phones less too?
(Q1 - Q6) Select the correct answer for each question.
(Q7 - Q9) You may select more than 1 option.
You have 15 minutes for this section.
Starting time is 14/10/2026 at 07:38:37
Cultural Norms and Leadership Styles
Olivia, a successful project manager in Brazil, faced new challenges when she moved to Sweden to lead a team there. Despite their friendly demeanor, Olivia felt a lack of respect from her team members. They openly questioned her proposals in meetings, often disregarded her instructions, and continued to give their opinions even after she made decisions.
Feeling frustrated, Olivia reached out to her Swedish manager for help. However, instead of providing direct solutions, her manager asked for her thoughts on improving collaboration with her team. This approach left Olivia feeling unsure and dissatisfied.
Olivia's struggle stemmed from cultural differences in leadership expectations. In Brazil, she was accustomed to a hierarchical structure where leaders had clear authority, and decisions were made without much challenge. However, in Sweden, where hierarchy was flatter and decision-making was more democratic, her directive management style didn't fit well.
Geert Hofstede, a Dutch psychologist, describes these differences using the concept of 'power distance.' In high power distance cultures like Brazil, authority is respected, and leaders make decisions without much questioning. Conversely, in low power distance cultures like Sweden, subordinates collaborate with leaders in decision-making, and challenging authority is common.
Realizing the cultural gap, Olivia engaged in open dialogue with her team. They appreciated being heard and explained that they preferred more autonomy and creative freedom. They also expressed discomfort with Olivia's authoritative approach.
With a better understanding, Olivia adjusted her management style to better suit her team's expectations. By fostering collaboration and allowing more autonomy, she effectively motivated her team to achieve their goals.
(Q1 - Q6) Select the correct answer for each question.
(Q7 - Q16) Select the correct group for each sentence.
You have 15 minutes for this section.
Starting time is 14/10/2026 at 07:38:37
