Introduction
In her article “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” published in The Atlantic, Jean M. Twenge argues that, while post-millennials are physically safer, they are emotionally less safe. They are on the brink of a mental-health crisis due to their reliance on smartphones and social media. Twenge began studying generational differences 25 years ago. She was a 22-year-old doctoral student in psychology (Twenge, 2017).
Twenge highlights the adverse effects of social media and technology on young people’s mental health and calls for parents and society to take responsibility for addressing this crisis. Through her use of persuasive techniques such as logos, ethos, and pathos, Jean M. Twenge effectively conveys her thesis in “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” that the overuse of technology and social media is leading to a mental health crisis among post-millennials. In this rhetorical analysis, I will examine how Twenge employs these persuasive strategies to support her argument and appeal to her audience. I will also evaluate her use of evidence, acknowledge opposing views, and assess the overall effectiveness of her argument in raising awareness of the negative impact of technology on young people’s mental health.
Evidence
Typical 12th graders spent more than twice as much time online in 2016 as in 2006. By that year, they were spending around 6 hours per day online, sending texts and using social media. This indicates that digital media use has significantly increased since 2008, when only 50% of students used it. By 2016, 82% of 12th graders viewed social media sites practically daily (Twenge et al., 2019). Twenge emphasizes the need for society to acknowledge the detrimental effects of technology on young people and to implement measures to mitigate them, using a combination of ethos, logos, and pathos.
Credibility
Jean M. Twenge establishes her credibility as an expert on generational differences and technology use, which lends her writing a sense of authority. She is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and has written extensively on the subject (Haidt & Twenge, 2021). Throughout the article, she cites numerous studies and statistics to support her argument, which strengthens her credibility and persuasiveness.
Eighth-grade students who spend 10 or more hours per week on social media are 56% more likely to feel dissatisfied than those with lower social media use. Meanwhile, students who use social media for 6 to 9 hours per week are still 47% more likely to report feeling sad than those who use it less (Twenge, 2017). Using credible sources and research, Twenge appeals to the reader’s sense of logic and reason, making her argument more convincing.
Pathos
Twenge also employs emotional appeals to engage the reader’s emotions and foster a sense of urgency around the issue of technology and mental health. She employs descriptive language and personal stories to illustrate the harmful effects technology has on the mental health of adolescents. “I, therefore, yanked her phone from her grasp and tossed it at my wall. I could not help but chuckle. “You play volleyball,” I remarked. “Do you have a somewhat strong arm? “Yep,” she answered (Twenge, 2017). For instance, she describes how young people today spend less time with friends and more time on their devices, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
However, psychologically, they are more prone than millennials: Since 2011, the rates of adolescent despair and suicide have increased. I would not exaggerate if I said that iGen faced the most significant mental health crisis in decades. Their phones are mostly to blame for this decline (Twenge, 2017). She also shares stories of teenagers who have struggled with depression and anxiety as a result of social media use. Twenge makes her argument more relatable and compelling by appealing to readers’ emotions.
Logos
Twenge uses logic and reason to support her argument that smartphones and social media negatively impact young people’s mental health. The findings are accurate: tens who engage in screen-related activities more frequently than average are likelier to be sad. At the same time, those who engage in non-screen-related activities oftener than average are likelier to be happy (Twenge, 2017). She presents statistical evidence to support her claim that there has been a rise in depression and suicide among young people since the advent of smartphones and social media.
Over the course of two weeks, one researcher invited college students with Facebook pages to respond to quick questions on their phones. Five times a day, individuals would receive a text message with a link asking them to report their mood and Facebook usage. They felt unhappier the more they used Facebook, but their unhappiness did not prompt them to use Facebook more (Twenge, 2017). She also explains the biological and psychological mechanisms that underlie the adverse effects of technology on mental health, such as the dopamine rush associated with social media use and the impact of excessive screen time on sleep patterns.
The smartphone may be a comfort, but it is disturbing kids’ sleep: Most evenings, many people now sleep for fewer than seven hours. According to sleep specialists, teenagers should sleep for roughly nine hours per night; those who receive fewer than seven hours are severely sleep-deprived.
Teens who were sleep-deprived in 2015 were 57% more numerous than those who were in 1991. Teenagers who did not obtain seven hours of sleep failed to do so 22% more frequently in the four years from 2012 to 2015 (Twenge, 2017). By using logical and scientific evidence, Twenge appeals to the reader’s rationality and reinforces the validity of her argument.
Repetition
Twenge uses repetition as a rhetorical technique to reinforce her main arguments and make them more memorable to the reader. For instance, she frequently cites data and research studies to back up her claims about the detrimental effects of social media on mental health, such as the fact that teenagers are more likely to be dissatisfied when they spend more time than average performing screen-related activities. In comparison, the opposite is true for those who spend more time than average with non-screen-related activities. Additionally, Twenge emphasizes the statistics of increased adolescent despair and suicide rates since 2011 (Twenge, 2017). By repeating these points throughout the article, Twenge emphasizes their importance and makes a stronger case for why society needs to take action to address the issue.
Conclusion
Twenge’s article raises important questions about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of young people. By presenting a compelling argument supported by research data and real-world examples, Twenge highlights the potential dangers of excessive screen time and social media use among post-millennials. The article challenges readers to consider the long-term consequences of a society increasingly dependent on digital devices and social media for communication, entertainment, and information. It leaves readers pondering the need for a more balanced approach to technology use, particularly among young people.
Addressing the mental health crisis affects so many teenagers and young adults today. It leaves readers pondering the role of technology in society and the responsibility of parents and society in addressing this issue. Overall, this article has a powerful impact on the reader, reminding them of the urgent need to pay attention to the effects of technology on mental health and to take action to prevent its negative consequences.
References
Haidt, J., & Twenge, J. M. (2021). This is our chance to pull teenagers out of the smartphone trap. New York Times.
Twenge, J. M. (2017). Have smartphones destroyed a generation?The Atlantic.
Twenge, J. M., Martin, G. N., & Spitzberg, B. H. (2019). Trends in U.S. Adolescents’ media use, 1976–2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 329–345.