Doing Nothing Is Something Anna Quindlen Summary

The authors utilize the rhetorical appeals of ethos and pathos to show their conflicting argument on if children should be micromanaged. In the first article, Anna Quindlen claims that children shouldn’t have every minute of their lives scheduled because “downtime is where we become ourselves” and that allows children to grow. Her use of vivid imagery prompts the audience to empathize with the children. She describes the nostalgia of having “day trips to the beach” and “pickup games” that are no longer available to today’s generation. Quindlen also established herself as a sincere person since she explains how “‘doing nothing’ is when human beings actually do their best thinking”, it is that unstructured free time, that allows for children

Why do parents allow their children to have technological devices at a young age? There are various reasons as to why parents allow devices at a young age, but are they valid reasons? Before technology became a popular item, children played outside, they played on their Nintendo, or DS, and now children stay indoors on a warm day and play on their phones or tablets, instead of getting in physical activity. Parents are more likely to give their children these devices out in public because they want their child to behave. Parents have become dependent on technology, which has led to children becoming dependent on having these devices with them wherever they go. Children from the ages of two to twelve have been negatively impacted using

This technology revolution sparked a debate on children’s use of technology. Children are constantly using iPads, iPhones, tablets, and other computerized devices. By over exposing children to technology, they are being robbed of the mental stimulation that comes from doing real, non computerized, activities. It has gotten to the point where one can see a two-year-old navigate an iPhone with ease but struggle to speak. Sixty-nine percent of children aged two to five can use a computer mouse, but only eleven percent can tie their own shoelaces (Generation Tech More Kids Can Play Computer Games than Ride a Bike). Also, children are at an all time low in the creativity department

Now, many of us may know a parent that hands their child a tablet or phone to keep their child busy so they can do their own work. Well, this has a very negative consequence on the child because just like alcohol, drugs, and gambling, items such as electronic devices that may seem harmless at first, can actually be very obsessive. These devices are so chronic and habitual that you tend to get isolated from the real world, and since you aren’t managing to do any physical exercise or movement, this could possibly result as a physical handicap. Parents don’t realize this is an issue until their child faces actual circumstances. Technology does not only have negatively influenced physical effects, but it also has a psychological impact. The overuse of electronic devices may cause impairment in the development of a child’s social skills. This includes the ability of to make friends, talking to others in a respectful and polite manner, displaying good behavior, and controlling temper and emotions. A child who uses technology extensively can become socially isolated which can lead to many other things such as loneliness, low self-esteem and low self-worth, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. In every child’s life, their childhood is the most crucial part of their _________ journey. It's that time of life where whatever a child learns, that learning will continue on and affect their on-going future. The negative things will misguide them from a very young age, and same goes for these children that use technology

The organization Alliance For childhood (2012) is concerned with the rise of and overuse of screen technology especially on very young children. According to the Alliance For childhood (2012), technology is interfering with “young children’s active and hands-on creative play, time with nature, and their face-to-face interactions with caring adults and other children” (p. 5). The Alliance For childhood (2012) believe that because technology is moving at a rapid rate educators do not have enough time to fully understand the ramification it has on education, developmental, ethical, and social aspect of their design and use. Additionally, the Alliance For childhood (2012) are concerned with the decline of creative play that technology has on

Anyone who has children, or who is often interacting with children, will recognize that childhood is not the same or how they remembered. The popularity of technology and especially social media has changed what it means to be a child. The largest problem told by care givers of children is that they participate less in imaginative play. Modern technology means that their devotion is being demanded by more and more things, so they don’t have the inclination to play.

There is a bias towards children’s access of technology use because of the amount of children that fully understand how technology works. This has resulted in a society adapting to access technology use. Child should be allowed to have technological devices, but not in the matter in which they have been. Reading a book, doing outdoor activities, or any from of play without the use of technology should still be achieved. Having too much technology in a child’s life has made it very vulnerable for them to experience adversities in their life. These two images were effective by addressing the issue of children’s access technology use. Even though children may actually know how to open a book, it helped portray that simple tasks are damaged by technology. Technology has become the bases in which children believe is a vigorous way to

My research project was inspired by my love of children and the many times I have observed children using technology. From this experience I noticed many young children are extremely familiar with technology and the use of technology can have both positive and negative effects on them. As I have researched into this topic, I have learnt there are many beneficial and harmful implications of technological use for children. A finding I have come across on multiple occasions is children should not be using or be in contact with any technology whilst they are under the age of 2. A positive implication includes using technology for educational reasons as opposed to entertainment purposes. Using technology for entertainment or for long periods of time can negatively affect the child psychologically. A key point from my research has lead me to understand technology can have a huge impact on a child’s mental, physical and emotional health. (154 words)

Hanna Rosin argues that children are spending too much time with technology, which could lead to poor mental development. Rosin recounts her experience of going to the dust or magic convention where app developers met together to discuss their projects and learn from each other. Rosin goes on to discuss change; for a long time there was only television which could be easily controlled by parents, but with the advances of technology it is now everywhere and much more difficult to create a controlled environment for children. Rosin also questions whether some good could come from the use of technology to balance the argument in her article.

Today children are exposed to a different world than the one their parents grew up in. Consumerism plays a significant influence in children’s lives, including technology. This has led to over usage of technology as a reason for increased health issues in children, and basic building blocks of healthy development being ignored. Children are no longer interested in creative play, which is vital to problem-solving, learning, imagining and thinking. Instead, children can often be found sitting in front of a television, for up to seven hours a day, with their back hunched over and in an almost zombie like state of mind.

In “Doing Nothing Is Something” Quindlen uses the either/or techniques to persuade the readers into believing her idea of “downtime is where we find ourselves.” Quindlen appeals to emotions when she explains that scheduling children down to unscheduled time is detrimental to their creativity and childhood. Quindlen first touches on how family time is no longer prevalent in our lives today; then moves quickly into the productivity of nothingness. “What would families do with family time if they took it back?” Quindlen uses a privileged suburb's one-time “Family Night” in New Jersey to show readers that family time is a thing of the past.

Curtis writes an article in how technology is changing children. She argues that technology is not all negative towards the children and that it also provides useful things children can use. For example, she claims “Tablets or smartphones allow children to access a wide range of educational apps and services that can help boost their math and logic skills, packaged in the appealing form of a game” (Curtis 2013). There are educational apps for tablets and phones, in which teach children “math and logic skills”. Some apps in which Curtis says are good for children is Mathletics and Minecraft. (Curtis 2013). Even though Curtis argues that technology has a positive outcome for our children, she also states that it all depends on the parents. She argues, “the responsibility also lies with parents to keep up with new technology and make sure their children are using it safely and sensibly” (Curtis 2013). Therefore, if the parent is not attentive on how and how much their children is using technology, their children can have a negative outcome for example lack of social

There’s no doubt new electronic learning programs designed for children can be engaging and serve as purposeful learning tools. Although, through research preformed, the real problem could be the amount of time children are spending staring at screens. Interaction and social skills, well known to be essential in child’s development, often stem from play time with friends and exploring outside. Now, with technology being used for even more than intended, babies are being soothed with iPads, phones, and being babysat with TV’s. Exploration and true childlike playfulness is dwindling. Pediatric occupational therapist Chris Rowan states: “As children reach the age of

Technology is not the reason for childhood being ruined. Modern technology is said to be ruining children’s lives by many professionals. Many professionals have done studies to figure out the truth, only to find out that it is not the technology. Although modern technology may be harmful to children, modern technology is also helping children develop faster, because it enhances social interaction skills, cognitive development and improves concentration.

Anna Quindlen, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for “Public and Private”, wrote a small excerpt called “Doing Nothing Is Something.” Quindlen argues the fact the youth in this generation, are as over-scheduled as we are and it’s the parents fault.