It Might Actually Be Good For Them By Clive Thompson Summary

In the article," Teenagers and Social Networking- It Might Actually Be Good for Them," writer Clive Thompson discusses the benefits of teens using social media networks to their advantage. Thompson argues that teens making use of social media carries many advantages, which include social and networking skills. Clive Thompson is able to successfully argue his claim on why social media might actually be fitting for teens with the use of analytical devices such as the emotions fear and guilt, general facts and expert testimonies, reliable sources, and his qualifications. All of which display his knowledge on the subject at hand.
Clive Thompson's argument was successful due to his use of the emotions fear and guilt. For instance, throughout the

article, "Teenagers and Social Networking – It Might Actually Be Good for Them," Thompson continuously plays on the emotion fear. His word choice grabs his audience's attention and forces them to see the bigger picture. According to Thompson," This type of interaction online with strangers can make kids more community-minded "(4). When someone thinks of "kids" and "strangers" in the same sentence one automatically thinks negatively. In fact, the word "stranger" has a negative connotation which often invokes a sense of danger almost instantly especially when paired with the word "kids" Thompson's decision to use the two words together puts fear in the minds of parents. Parents most often fear for their children when interacting online with strangers and because of this Thompson's choice of wording and decision to turn this fear into a positive solidifies his argument on why the use of social media could have a positive outlook. An additional emotion Thompson uses is guilt. According to Clive Thompson, " Parents are wrong to worry that kids don't care about privacy "(3). In other words, Thompson believes that parents should not worry about their teens when using the internet due to all privacy settings kids have the capability of using. Parents then feel guilty that they did not trust their children to value their own safety and privacy, this strengthens Thompson's argument entirely.
Secondly, Clive Thompson makes use of general facts and expert testimonies in order to strengthen his argument. Thompson is swift to point out, " In the 1930s, parents fretted that the radio was gaining ' an invincible hold of their children' (2). He also states, "In the 80s, the great danger was the Sony Walkman..." (Thompson 2). Thompson's inclusion of these general facts add dimension towards his overall argument because it shows that time repeats itself and throughout time parents often fear new items that are mostly geared towards their teens. Parents unknowingly do so without there being any actual threat at all. Important to realize, both the radio and the Sony Walkman are both devices used to listen to music. Not only did Thompson use general facts but also expert testimonies.
Thompson chooses to use expert testimonies in order to strengthen his argument.

He uses research by Amanda Lenhart of Pew Research Centre, which explained that kids who are considered avid texters also end up spending more time with their friends face to face stating that one form of socializing can not replace the other (Thompson 2). This research adds emphasis towards Clive Thompson's argument because it proves that first social media can help teens with their socializing skills and secondly it also proves that avid texting does not correlate with bad social skills or reclusiveness. Thompson also utilizes research from Joseph Kane, a professor at Mills College in California, who discovered that teenagers that take an interest in hobby or fan based websites are more likely to participate in real-world volunteering (Thompson 4). This study helps prove Thompson's stance on why social media can be good for teens. It explains that teens who are involved with social networking sites are not desensitized to the world around them. They are able to view the world through a different

lens.
Equally important, Thompson chooses to use reliable resources and his own qualification to enhance his argument.

Thompson does so by citing information from credible sources such as using research from Amanda Lenhart who as stated before, is a researcher from Pew Research Centre and Susan Greenfield, a scientist and writer who discusses raising a" hedonistic generation" glued to their phones and technology (1) (2). By using these resources Thompson is allowing his readers to trust his judgement on the subject he is discussing. He is also giving them a reason to actually take his words seriously on this particular topic. Thompson not only uses reliable outside resources but also himself. Clive Thompson is considered a reliable resource because his qualification on the topic that he is discussing. He is a father of two primary school children and because he is a father he has experience with children and the way they interact as a whole and with technology. Thompson is able to use this information to his advantage and allow his audience to view him as a knowledgeable person on the topic discussing the positives of social media use and

children.
With all things considered, Clive Thompson's use of the analytical devices such as the emotions fear and guilt, general facts and expert testimonies, reliable sources, and his qualifications are able to solidify his argument and prove that his attempt to argue that social media networks can actually have a positive affect is a success. He is able to portray himself as knowledgeable in the topic which allows his audience to fully understand his points and make and educated assumption on whether to agree or disagree. Overall, Thompson is successful arguing his stance on why social media can be good for teens.