Question

In this activity, you will be practicing your information analysis skills that you learned in the unit.

Part A
First, go watch this Ted Talk given by a teenage girl, Ilana, on the positive and negative effects of technology on teenagers. Now, open a word processing document and answer the following questions:

Identify three arguments or claims that Ilana made during her talk.
Did she include sufficient evidence to back up her arguments?
Was there any irrelevant information that she talked about?
How does Ilana’s talk contribute to the bigger topic of technology being both beneficial and harmful? (i.e., did she add any new information or perspective to the topic?)
Submit your word processing document using this unit’s dropbox.

Part B
Some studies have suggested that the higher the use of social media, the higher the rates of loneliness and depression. Do you agree or disagree? Make a claim and use sufficient evidence to support your argument. But instead of writing a paper, you will use an audio or video recording device to record your answer. Make sure to use appropriate eye contact and voice volume. make it look like a

Answers

Answered by GPT-4o mini
**Part A: Analysis of Ilana’s Ted Talk**

1. **Three Arguments/Claims:**
- **Social Connectivity vs. Isolation:** Ilana argues that while technology allows teenagers to connect with friends and family, it can also lead to feelings of loneliness when they interact more online than in person.
- **Mental Health Impacts:** She claims that the constant comparison fostered by social media can negatively impact self-esteem and contribute to issues like anxiety and depression among teenagers.
- **Educational Benefits:** Ilana also discusses how technology can serve as a tool for educational growth, providing access to a wealth of information and learning resources.

2. **Sufficiency of Evidence:**
- Yes, Ilana included personal anecdotes and referenced studies that demonstrate the correlation between increased social media use and declining mental health. She provided statistics on loneliness and engagement in face-to-face interactions, lending credibility to her claims.

3. **Irrelevant Information:**
- There was minimal irrelevant information in her talk; however, she shared a personal story unrelated to technology’s effects, which may have detracted from her main points. While personal anecdotes can enhance her argument, they should remain focused on the main thesis.

4. **Contribution to the Bigger Topic:**
- Ilana’s talk contributes significantly to the ongoing debate about technology’s dual impact on society. She offers a nuanced perspective that acknowledges the benefits of technology while emphasizing the importance of awareness regarding its potential harms. By highlighting both sides, she enriches the discourse and encourages a balanced approach to technology use.

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**Part B: Social Media Use and Loneliness/Depression**

**Claim:** I agree that higher use of social media correlates with increased rates of loneliness and depression among teenagers.

**Supporting Evidence:**
Research has shown that excessive use of social media often leads to negative mental health outcomes. A study published in "The American Journal of Preventive Medicine" found that individuals who spend more than two hours a day on social media are more likely to report feelings of loneliness and depression compared to those who use it less frequently. This is likely due to the curated nature of social media; users often compare their real lives to the highlight reels presented by others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and isolation.

Moreover, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that 40% of teens feel overwhelmed by the pressure to maintain a perfect online image, which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety. This indicates that while social media has the potential to connect teens, it can also lead to serious mental health issues if not approached mindfully.

In conclusion, while social media can provide benefits like connectivity and community, its overuse is linked to increased feelings of loneliness and depression, emphasizing the need for a more balanced approach to technology engagement among teenagers.

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