The topic of technology, specifically touchscreens, affecting children's cognitive and psychological development between the ages 2-6 has been increasingly controversial in recent years. I am interested in this research topic because I previously worked at a children's gymnastics facility and babysat in the summer and observed how the use of iPods and iPhones quickly distract them and how they are reliant on their devices. Personally, my parents are always telling me that I am addicted to my phone and could not live without one, and I did not get an iPhone until I was 14. Children growing up now are used to having touchscreen devices all around them and it affects the way they think. This research question affects my values because I believe that it is wrong to allow children to use technology for an unlimited amount of time and whenever they please. Children should have guidelines for how much time they are allowed to spend on their devices. I am qualified to write about this issue because the research I have gathered contains informational and argumentative sources from both sides to make an unbiased presentation, however I agree that children need to limit their time spent on touchscreen devices. 

The first source is an ongoing research study conducted at the University of London by psychologists, Annette Karmiloff-Smith and Tim Smith. They created "The TABLET project", which is a study that aims to document the central role touchscreen devices play in family life and the excitement that most children show for using the devices. The psychologists decided to study this topic because touchscreens generate far more arousal in children's cognitive thinking than a handmade toy. Technology impacts their attention and fine motor skills faster with tapping their fingers. The purpose of the TABLET project is not to give the positive or negative effects children get from the use of touchscreens, but is strictly observational. There is limited amount of data between cognitive development and tablets because iPads are only five years old and were recently introduced to children. The researchers' hope is to investigate the long term effects of children's social and cognitive development. The major interests of the study are what kind of content the child uses on the device such as passive, active, educational, or social. An example of passive content is watching videos while active is playing games. If children share their experience with their parents, this is labeled as social and how it relates to children's development. The psychologists conducting the study all have PhDs in psychology and want to strictly observe what happens while they watch children's interaction with touchscreens. The article about this study is informative because it explains how they will conduct their research and they have no expectations. The investigators appeal to ethos because they have been studying psychology for the majority of their lives and are looking to continue their research into children and technology. 

The second source, "The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child" by Cris Rowan, a pediatric occupational therapist, is an argumentative article to bring awareness to the disconnect that children are having due to an overuse of iPads and tablets. The author explains how children are spending more time on their devices, more than ever, which can lead to many different types of disabilities such as ADHD, autism, and sleeping disorders. The author believes that the four factors of movement, touch, human connection, and exposure to nature are essential to a healthy child's development and the use of tablets hinder all four aspects. It is important as a society to be educated on this issue and know that limiting time on the devices is essential for children's developmental skills. The author is trying to persuade her audience that time spent on iPads needs to be cut short because it will be dangerous for the future of our youth. The author uses pathos by listing all of the long term effects on children that are glued to their tablets and scare the parents who read the article. Cris Rowan has witnessed dramatic changes in how children play, resulting in rising levels of obesity, developmental delays, and mental disorders. Rowan has a lot of knowledge about this issue because she has witnessed the developmental changes first hand, however she is not a doctor or a researcher. The source persuades parents to limit their children's time spent on technology and to continue to read her other articles as well. 

The third source, "Technology and Young Children", developed by National Association Education of Young Children (NAEYC), comments on the conflicts of children learning and growing up with interactive media all around them. The interactive devices that children use from a young age can hurt their social development, therefore the devices should be used appropriately and intentionally. In order for the tablets to be used effectively, parents and school administrators must be educated about the correct amount of time children can use technology. Ongoing research is very important to understanding the short and long term effects these devices will have on the next generation because it is brand new. The NAEYC appeals to logos by offering a solution of continuing research on children's social development and to limit their time with interactive devices. The article has interests to inform parents, school board members, and any other authority figures that limitation of screen time is essential for growing children. The purpose of the article is to educate those who take care of children. The NAEYC is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children. The organization continues to be a leading influence for local, state, and national legislation regarding children's education. 

Researching the impact touchscreen devices have on young children socially and cognitively is continuously debated, and needs to be researched in depth. Some point out how using these devices will help children learn more effectively and develop motor skills faster than ever, however too much time can lead to mental disabilities. All of the sources are in agreement that there needs to be more research done in examining the long term effects the interactive devices will have on young children. On the other hand, some people believe it is up to the parents to set limits about how much time is allowed, and others believe to shut their children out completely from any touchscreen device until a certain age. The different sources affect my perspective because I was unaware of the harsh long term effects of interactive technology. It will make me re-consider how much time I spend using technology and certainly limit the tablet time for the children I babysit and eventually my own. I may revise my research question after I have learned the benefits that go along with touchscreen use by children. 

