Analysis Of The Article Have Smartphones Destroyed A Generation

Parents of teenagers have to experience the negative toll of technology that takes over teenagers on the daily basis. In the article, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” by Jean M. Twenge is directed towards parents and focuses on the negative effects of technology towards the population of teenagers. Twenge’s effectively convinces the reader of how this new generation of Gen Xers are being overpowered by the freedom of the internet and its negative outcomes. The article’s purpose is to inform these parents how technology can heavily influence teenagers and understand how these consequences lead to long-term effects. Twenge effectively does a good job utilizing rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) by providing support on her claim and making connections with the audience. The rhetorical appeal logos is utilized in the text by using creditable data and charts. For example, in the text Twenge inserts a graph showing the declining numbers on how teens are less likely to get enough sleep. This connects to the audience by providing data on the consequences teens are experiencing ever since the iPhone was released in 2007 and how it leads to other factors such as long-term sleep deprivation and depression. The chart provides statistical data

Twenge includes in her article how the use of technology leads to the feeling of being distressed and alone since teenagers are not spending their time on activities, but on their cellphones. It also takes a toll on their mental health and can lead to depression. This use of Pathos in the article shows how technology can negatively affect teenagers emotionally, specially when they are alone and spend all their time on their phones instead of having an outside hobby. It also gives parents a different point of view on what teenagers are experiencing and how cellphones are affecting them