The Digital Parent Trap: Analysis
Nowadays, there are many arguments on whether technology does more harm than good to a child of an early age, we see the same argument presented in an article by Eliana Dockterman. Throughout her article, “The Digital Parent Trap,” Eliana Dockterman uses her angle of vision that tries to persuade her audience through building an argument on the benefits of early exposure to technology to children. However, due to her lack and weakening of ethos, Dockterman was not able to effectively persuade her audience in all forms. When it comes to building an argument, one should use all appeals to make sure the argument has a credible, ethical, and an emotional impact to persuade the audience. Dockterman uses statistical …show more content…
She claims that even though technology does have some disadvantages for children who have early exposure, she believes there are more pros than cons. She then persuades her audience that early exposure to technology benefits them more than harming them. Throughout her article she explains the benefits of technology and the people behind her that support her train of thought, while every now and then decides to throw in a couple of opposing views and couple of counter-arguments. She uses examples of statistics and quotes other people said either opposing or agreeing with her views. She concludes her argument with backing up her initial point of view and talking about how parents, (her main audience) and children benefit from this type of exposure to …show more content…
She uses this strategy again by saying that not only did the use of technology help the parent's children in the technology field, Dockterman states that technology promoted children to be more active and physical on a day-to-day basis. Families were having “virtual Olympics where they came and utilized virtual Wii and Xbox gyms," which “really made them see the value” of these electronic devices. Although Dockterman does use two of her appeals, logos and pathos, she loses credibility yet again when acknowledging the opposing the side. She goes on by talking about Lucy Wurtz, an administrator for a private K-12 Waldorf School in Los Altos California school who states, "You could say some computer games develop creativity, but I don't see any benefit. Waldorf kids knit and build things and paint--a lot of really practical and creative endeavors.” Instead of trying to show readers where Wurtz is coming from, and show readers that other activities have benefits as well, Dockterman does nothing to help Wurtz words and decides to let the statement stand alone, something she
Nowadays, there are many arguments on whether technology does more harm than good to a child of an early age, we see the same argument presented in an article by Eliana Dockterman. Throughout her article, “The Digital Parent Trap,” Eliana Dockterman uses her angle of vision that tries to persuade her audience through building an argument on the benefits of early exposure to technology to children. However, due to her lack and weakening of ethos, Dockterman was not able to effectively persuade her audience in all forms. When it comes to building an argument, one should use all appeals to make sure the argument has a credible, ethical, and an emotional impact to persuade the audience. Dockterman uses statistical …show more content…
She claims that even though technology does have some disadvantages for children who have early exposure, she believes there are more pros than cons. She then persuades her audience that early exposure to technology benefits them more than harming them. Throughout her article she explains the benefits of technology and the people behind her that support her train of thought, while every now and then decides to throw in a couple of opposing views and couple of counter-arguments. She uses examples of statistics and quotes other people said either opposing or agreeing with her views. She concludes her argument with backing up her initial point of view and talking about how parents, (her main audience) and children benefit from this type of exposure to …show more content…
She uses this strategy again by saying that not only did the use of technology help the parent's children in the technology field, Dockterman states that technology promoted children to be more active and physical on a day-to-day basis. Families were having “virtual Olympics where they came and utilized virtual Wii and Xbox gyms," which “really made them see the value” of these electronic devices. Although Dockterman does use two of her appeals, logos and pathos, she loses credibility yet again when acknowledging the opposing the side. She goes on by talking about Lucy Wurtz, an administrator for a private K-12 Waldorf School in Los Altos California school who states, "You could say some computer games develop creativity, but I don't see any benefit. Waldorf kids knit and build things and paint--a lot of really practical and creative endeavors.” Instead of trying to show readers where Wurtz is coming from, and show readers that other activities have benefits as well, Dockterman does nothing to help Wurtz words and decides to let the statement stand alone, something she