Technology today is all over. Everyone has to have the newest iPhone and the most followers on Twitter and Instagram. One thing that interests me about this question is how this will effect our children in the end. Does the constant competition of who has the most followers on social networks, or who gets the most favorites on a post end up effecting us in the end? Children all around the world grow up thinking this is the most important thing and it is sad to think that this is what has come to be in our every day life. I grew up in a small town and had very strict parents when I was little. I did not have any electronics as a child. I was told to go play outside or be bored. Today children grow up with their iPads and know how to work a computer by the age of six. This is a growing issue in today's society because it is effecting how children learn as well as their social, mental, and physical development. Growing up without society telling me what I need to do to be accepted gives me the opportunity to defend what I think is right and try to educate more people on why this is going to become an even bigger issue if we do not take control of it now.

In my first article, "Harmful Effects of Media On Children and Adolescents" the authors give specific examples of what exactly media and technology are doing to negatively effect our children. When searching for an article about my topic I first went to a database and found this article out of an academic journal. The article talks about five main issues that come from children having access to media at such a young age. Violence is a huge issue in today's society. With the recent popularity of gun control, and the multiple mass shootings that have happened in the past couple years, this is always a topic of discussion. Often after these shootings, or violent acts we find out that it is sometimes connected to the violence that comes from technology, specifically, video games. The article also talks about substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, obesity, and other behavioral problems. The authors do this article justice because they state the facts straight forward. They do not try to make it seem like this is something minor. The authors are passionate about their work as doctors, which makes them credible on this topic, and want what is best for their patients and children all around.

In "Is Social Media Doing Social Harm?", the whole article is a conversation between two opposing sides to this argument. Patterson, takes the side of yes, social media is harming our relationships with people and making us less social. Zandt, on the opposing side, says no. Social media is meant for people to grow together and it is simply the new way of communicating. The two women go back and forth putting their points on the table for the other to contradict. The most interesting part of the article is how the two women respect the others opinion. They do not use harsh words, or jump to the conclusion that the other is wrong. They listen to what the other has to say and politely make their counter argument. One reason I chose this article is to show the two opposing sides. My argument is clear that social media and technology today are hurting our society and more importantly our children in the long run. These two authors do a great job in showing their skills as writers. Both being professional figures in the world of media makes them credible on this source. Both authors are good at using specific and personal examples from their own lives to support their argument.

My third and final article, "The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child" talks a lot about the actual effects technology will have on a child in growing and succeeding in life. The article is based around the four main developmental stages a child goes through. First when talking about movement it says how are kids have gotten lazy, and only want to stay inside on their devices. Another stage of development is, human connection. Media and technology have almost taken over today's world and it is the main focus for everyone. If the child is not on technology the parent most likely is and this is not helping with the child's development because they do not feel the need to tell their parent's what is going on in their life. Technology is getting in the way of how people interact and how they are socially. The author of this article is an occupational therapist, and works with children often. She knows how personally children are being effected and how it could be endangering their growth and ultimately their future. Out of all three of my sources I think this one comes off as the most biased. Since the author is so passionate about the topic, and works first hand with these children she can only see how technology is negatively effecting the lives of children.

This is a growing issue in today's society because it is effecting how children learn and their social, mental, and physical development. Some people would not agree with this statement, for example the parents that get their children phones at the age of five. Since this is such an unappreciated topic and sort of a sensitive one, not a lot of people want to argue it in the first place. People do not want to admit they have a problem with technology, even though everyone has a little problem. The sources I have chosen influence me to fight for what I think is right. The articles back up my argument in the sense that they agree with me and support my argument. I think one thing I need to work on in my research question. The problem right now is very broad and hard to understand where I want to take my argument. I may need to find another source or two to back up my argument for future assignments.

