The Digital Parent Trap By Elliana Dockterman

Modern Technology is good for the developing brain of a child.When using any modern technology like Ipad, Iphone, Ipod, laptop computer anything, when using these amazing their brains are constantly being used. Each icon they click each word they read each picture or color they see is all recorded in their brains. When a child is on a application, that child zooms in on the activity which causes a chain reaction to the brain keeping the brain active, and exercising. “The impact of heavy media and technology use on kids are social, emotional and cognitive development is only beginning to be studied, and the emergent results are serious.” This quote proves of my statement because it says that a child’s emotional and cognitive development are being affected by technology. There are a lot of brain exercises on the internet. Just for a kid going on the computer and seeing screen light up and reading the words to guide them to a activity is exercising because you’re using your brain to use the computer, and reading the word google or yahoo or even the startup menu.”Children now rely on technology for the majority of their play, grossly limiting challenges to their creativity and imaginations,

Can you name a friend or family member that does not have a smart phone or computer? If so, they are likely much older and have not partaken in the mass technology boom of the twenty-first century. In recent years, technology has been engraved in America’s culture where the younger generation has been born and bred around media devices. Due to the advancement of technology, computer literacy is important now, more than ever. “Sixty percent of American homes with children ages eight to seventeen have computers and most of these computers connected to the Internet” (Wartella 32). Computer technology has ushered in a new digital era bringing with it the ability to reach everyone’s hand’s young or elder. This will bring change to the future, including job stability and child development. Early exposure to digital media devices will give children competitive advantages in the educational system and the future job market.

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

In this document Eliana Dockterman writes about how traditional views of childhood consumption of technology with emphasis on “screen use” is outdated and technology usage should in fact be embraced by children. Dockterman is able to effectively portray this argument through the use of a variety of persuasive techniques.

Learning methods have also been transformed by technology. Before technology was incorporated in schools, essay writing was hand written, regardless of how long the essay was. Mathematical problems were solved mentally or calculated on paper until the solution was found. Handwriting skills in children was good, because of the amount of practice they had using it everyday in their school work. Furthermore, children developed a vast amount of book knowledge by using library resources from actual books. However, today it is not the norm. Almost every school issues students with devices like iPads or tablets from as early as kindergarten. It is important to realize that with the use of technological devices, children would prefer the quick action of iPads and tablets in contrast to handwriting or reading a book to find reference points. To put it another way, children will end up using mobile devices both in and out of school, leaving no room for outdoor forms of recreation. A Northlines article, “Information Technology and Children”, mentions that the availability of Internet connection on mobile devices is harmful, because they can use it negatively, giving children an uncontrolled source of entertainment and connectivity. Similarly, the availability of

In today’s society we are overwhelmed with technology. Technology is changing everyday, and will forever be a staple in our lives. The effect that technology has on our children has brought on some concerns and some praises. Children these days have no choice but to some how be influenced by the ever growing technology in our societies. Our common concern has been that although digital technology has boosted children’s talent for multitasking, their ability to process information deeply may be deteriorating (Carpenter, 2010). Many people have a wide range of opinions on if technology is having a positive influence on our children or a negative, there is a vast amount of evidence to support both of these arguments. Technology can refer to

Included below is a summary about the article titled “How Young is Too Young for Technology,” by Josie Gurney-Read, and published by Telegraph. This article talks about the positive and negative impacts when exposing young children to technology. First, Read opens up the article explaining that by the time children start school, 70% are already confident in using a laptop, tablet or smart phone. Read also notes, that 17% of children under the age of three have their own device. The article then discusses that the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children under the age of two should be discouraged from using technology and that preschool kids shouldn’t be using devices for more than two hours per day (Read). Professor Manfred Spitzer

In response to the argument concerning the benefits to early exposure to technology, author Eliana Dockterman effectively argues in her article “The Digital Parent Trap” that new technology exposes to children having more advantages than disadvantages. The author begins to build credibility through the use of statistical data and acknowledging her counter arguments by providing evidence. Dockterman effectively convinces her audience by using the rhetorical appeals. These appeals to logos, ethos, and pathos to create an effective argument.

The current generation of children is completely different than the preceding ones. They are living in the digital age. “Technology has blended in with daily activity to become a way of life and children today take for granted all of which is automated. It is hard for kids nowadays to imagine a world that existed without all of the gadgets, electronics and seamless operations that computer technology provides.” (3) “Children in the United States devote some 40 hours a week to television, video games and the Internet.” (12) Many psychologists and researchers are concerned about the impact that technology has on children. Children, tomorrow’s future parents and leaders, are being consumed by the negative effects that technology had on their

With new technology and advances in education it is no wonder the use of computers, iPads, and other devices are trickling into the daily life of our younger generations. Perhaps these advances could be doing more harm than providing the enriching education parents and schools think they are. There are now elementary schools where every child has their own iPad and middle schools with Chrome Books the students can take home. Even paper textbooks are being replaced with electronic versions. The use of technology moving forward with education needs to be balanced with critical factors involving a child’s development. Children must be separated from constant attachment to screens to properly learn and develop necessary social skills to become adults who are able to interact and communicate.

Technology has become a huge part of our lives; we see it everywhere around us, in our living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and in the hands of our children. In Eliana Dockterman's article "The digital parent trap", she uses research, logic, and quotes from many experts in the fields of technology, education, and psychology to show the different arguments people have regarding the effects of young adults spending so much time in front of digital screens and persuade the readers into thinking that technology is a useful tool is used right.

In the article “The Digital Parent Trap” the author, Eliana Dockterman, shows the consequences and benefits of early exposure to technology. She supports this claim through the structure of the piece, the fact they use and quotes from reputable sources.

"this generation of American kids (ages 3 to 18) is the tech-savviest in history: 27% of them use tablets, 43% use smartphones, and 52% use laptops." This shows that is quite an important subject and it is worth acknowledging. Then he also mentions how the country is also contributing to this issue by starting, "the most tech-saturated school year ever: Los Angeles County alone will spend $30 million on classroom iPads this year, outfitting 640,000 kids by late 2014." Yet only half of the parents in the USA agree that there should be such a prominence of technology in kids' lives, according to findings by, "the research firm Grunwald Associates." As you can notice, we are only though the first couple of paragraphs, yet we have passed through a number of statistics and studies. Then he shifts his concentration to the Parental Adage, "The less time spent with screens, the better." He tries to explain why parents support such a rule and apply it to their kids' lives. He represents some side effects of extensive tech use, such as, "watching too much TV can lead to obesity, violence and attention-deficit/hyperactivity

Adults constantly tell young adults and children that the growing technology is not healthy, but in "The Digital Parent Trap," the author, Eliana Dockterman, writes about how she thinks it actually helps people to learn and grow. In the beginning ot the essay, she talks about how people believe technology is negative. For example, she states that there is an, "aversion to sitting kids in front of screens, thanks to decades of studies proving that watching too much TV can lead to obesity, violence and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder" (Dockterman). This led me to believe she was against the excessive use of technology, but later, she wrote, "early tech use has cognitive benefits" (Dockterman).

How many people could take a whole day out of their week to not look at their phone? “Tech Free Tuesday” could be the new hit of the times. Children in today’s world grow up with their iPad’s, iPhone’s, tablets and computers that basically does everything for them What about dinner time conversations, playing in the neighborhood, and exploring at their own leisure. We are constantly consumed by our technological devises and the newer generations are continuing to grow worse with the amount of technology they use on a daily basis. The age at which children begin using technology continues to grow younger and younger. In this day and age people would rather spend their free time alone consumed with electronic devises rather than engaging in conversation. Therefore, reducing the amount of technology use in homes across the United States could have serious positive