Rhetorical Analysis: The Digital Parent Trap

In the passionate article, “The Digital Parent Trap” by the renowned Eliana Dockterman, the author convincingly portrays that there are benefits to early exposure to technology and that this viewpoint needs to be more pervasive or else there would be a severe problem with broad consequences. The author effectively and concisely builds the argument by using a variety of persuasive and argumentative rhetorical techniques including but not limited to the usage of ethos, evidence, and pathos.
The author is able to establish herself by citing authoritative sources in paragraph 9, where research is cited from MIT that shows retention rates dramatically increase through the use of technology. By citing such authoritative sources, as MIT is renowned and reputable for their actions, the author is able to establish her viewpoint as credible and right. The author’s quotation of respectable sources leaves the reader with no choice but to see the author’s viewpoint as valid. This furthers her line of argumentation that there are benefits to early exposure to technology.

In addition to the utilization of ethos, the author is able to cite evidence, like in paragraph 9, where she writes, “On average … students can remember only 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear and 50% of what they see demonstrated.

But in [using] … iPads or laptops [the] retention rates skyrockets to 90%.” In using the revealing statistics, the author challenges the traditional rationale on early exposure to technology. The author’s statements erase any doubt from the reader’s mind that the author’s attitude is valid. This also furthers her line of argumentation that the usage of technology early in a person’s life is

useful.
Finally, the author also appeals to the emotion of the audience by hinting at children’s’ futures in paragraph 11 by quoting, “’If [teachers] are not exposing our students to [technology], they’re going to be left behind.” In telling this quote, the author is able to plainly show the dire consequences if students are not able to access the technology that will benefit them in the long run. The targeted audience, mainly parents, is left with no choice but to concede to her arguments since they will not want to see their children fail. By doing this, the author further develops her argument that there are many benefits of early exposure to technology.
Writing as a reaction to her concern that there persists a negative stigma associated with the usage of technology for young students, Eliana Dockterman states that in order to eliminate the issue we must be more mindful about the benefits. In delivering her powerful argument, she employs strong logical and emotion connections and establishes real-world foundations for her viewpoint on technology usage. In the end, her readership is left convinced that the stigma on technology usage for society is troubling and action is needed to be taken to reverse the poor viewpoint.