Author: Ayman

In conclusion, when I was exploring the impact of screen time on a kid’s development, it taught me some crucial things. Dr. Jennifer Cross showed that too much screen time could lead to changes in a child’s brain. This is a big deal because it affects how kids learn and grow. Brittany Clair surprised me by talking about how worries about screens have changed over time. It’s not just about TV anymore, it’s about all kinds of screens and what they mean for kids. Sudheer Kumar Muppalla added more to the picture, explaining not only the bad effects of too much screen time but also giving practical tips to manage it. One surprising thing was how screen habits in kids connect to other unhealthy habits like bad eating and not enough sleep. This deepened my thinking about the issue. It’s not just about limiting screen time but finding a balance. What I learned is super important for parents and caregivers. They can use this info to make smart choices for their kids. And it’s not just for families, it’s also for teachers and people who make rules should know about it too. We need to talk about this more as a society, so everyone understands how screens affect their kid’s health and learning.

Annotation 2

1–Citation: Clair, Brittany. “Reconsidering Screen Time: Research, Reason, & Real Life.” Lucie’s List, 12 Oct. 2023, www.lucieslist.com/guides/screen-time-kids-research/. 

2–Summary: “Reconsidering Screen Time: Research, Reason, & Real Life” by Brittany Claire is an insightful article that explores the history of concerns surrounding technology and its impact on youth and the history of technology before, during, and after COVID and the quarantine. Focusing on the evolution of worries about screen time, it discusses the shift from television to broader media use, addressing the link between excessive TV viewing and childhood obesity. The article encourages an approach to understanding the effects of screen time and encourages parents to make informed decisions based on a combination of research and personal circumstances.

3–Reflection: I believe that this article is important because it promotes a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of screen time on children’s minds and bodies. It clearly emphasizes that parents and caregivers should know the importance of formulating strategies to manage screen time.

4–Rhetorical Analysis: Brittany Claire employs a persuasive and informative rhetorical strategy to address the topic of screen time in the context of parenting. Since she talked about her habits in the past with the use of technology in her household, and her current approach to the use of screen time with her children, I believe that this author is credible. Throughout the article, the author adopts a balanced and empathetic tone, acknowledging the problems and uncertainties surrounding the effects of screen time on children.

5–Purpose Analysis: I think that the author chose the genre of a straightforward and relatable article to discuss the topic of screen time in order to engage with and connect to the intended audience of parents and caregivers. I think that this was a good genre to choose because through the use of this genre, the author was able to more successfully and relatably convey difficult concepts and study findings to the intended audience, making the topic easier to understand.

6–Key Quote: “There are numerous studies indicating that screen time can impact that learning process. Specifically, screens may be interfering with the capacity for attentiveness…”

I chose this quote because it summarizes the article and emphasizes the importance of considering the potential impacts of screen time on various aspects of child development, including attentiveness and cognitive function.

Annotation 3

1–Citation: Muppalla, Sudheer Kumar. “Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management.” Cureus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 June 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10353947/. 

2–Summary: The article addresses the critical issue of the impact of prolonged screen time on the development of children. Through research, the article explores the various damaging effects that excessive screen exposure can have on children’s physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development. Additionally, the article offers valuable procedures for effective strategies for managing screen time in the context of promoting healthy child development. By providing recommendations and guidelines, the author’s goal is to help parents, and caregivers, with the necessary tools to create a balanced approach to screen time and ensure the overall well-being and development of children in the digital age.

3–Reflection: I think that this article was a very interesting research with other sources in play. I thought of it as a valuable and timely contribution. It offers practical insights and strategies to help parents and caregivers navigate the challenges of screen time, promoting a more balanced and healthy approach to child development in the digital era. It was interesting to see all the various strategies to use on children for managing and reducing the amount of screen time for children.

4–Rhetorical Analysis: The author’s credibility can be determined by assessing his expertise and qualifications in the field of child development and screen time research. Additionally, the article’s introduction of an updated review of existing research and evidence-based strategies makes it credible to me. The writing style of the article feels like a formal and informative tone, considering the academic nature of the topic.

5–Purpose Analysis: I believe that the author likely chose the genre of an academic research article to provide a comprehensive and evidence-based exploration of the subject. This choice will positively impact various aspects of society, contributing to the increase of a healthier and more balanced approach to screen time management for the benefit of children’s overall development and well-being. Overall, the choice of the academic research article genre was good.

6–Key Quote: “Early excessive screen-watching habits seem to follow throughout time and tend to cluster with other harmful lifestyle behaviors including a poor diet and lack of sleep”

I chose this quote because it may prompt readers to consider the broader implications of unregulated screen time and its potential role in shaping children’s overall health and well-being. And encourage parents and caregivers to adopt a plan to manage their children with screen time.

1–Citation: Cross, Jennifer. “What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Kids’ Brains?” NewYork-Presbyterian, 2023, healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/. 

2–Summary: In this article, Dr. Jennifer Cross explains that increased screen time among young children may lead to delayed development, particularly in communication, problem-solving, and social skills. She also explained that excessive screen exposure, especially for children under 3, hinders their ability to engage in real-world exploration, affecting their overall learning and social development. Therefore, limiting screen time is recommended as it is essential in promoting children’s involvement in experiential learning, which develops creativity and problem-solving abilities through playing with toys. Language and communication abilities are greatly enhanced by engaging in mutual conversation with adults as opposed to one-way screen engagements. Mobile devices can be very addicting and can pose challenges for children. So, for kids under the age of 18 to 24 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using screens. For preschoolers, the recommended daily screen time is one hour of excellent content for educational purposes, as it can help increase the social development of children as they grow up.

3–Reflection: I think this article is very important, as it emphasizes the role of parents and caregivers in managing children’s screen time and selecting appropriate, educational content, particularly highlighting the potential risks associated with unregulated screen use, as it can affect the child’s brain development. 

4–Rhetorical Analysis: Dr. Jennifer Cross studies children’s development and behavioral actions. So this article effectively communicates the potential risks associated with excessive screen time for young children. Through the use of expert opinions, scientific research, and persuasive language, the author successfully conveys the urgency of addressing the issue and provides a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted impacts of screen exposure on early childhood development.

5–Purpose Analysis: I believe that Dr. Jennifer Cross wrote this article as her commitment to raising awareness about the potential risks associated with excessive screen time among young children. Given her background in medicine and interest in child development, it’s possible that she has personally seen the negative effects of increased screen time on children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. Her involvement with the article may be a reflection of her commitment to supporting healthy developmental practices for young children and arguing for the value of balanced screen usage.

6–Key Quote: “There is also some evidence that children who watch a lot of television during the early elementary school years perform less well on reading tests and may show deficits in attention.”

I chose this quote because it shows the main point of Dr. Jennifer Cross is trying to portray in the article. Its importance within the context of the article underscores the potential long-term impact of excessive screen time on children’s cognitive development. It serves as a critical piece of evidence supporting the article’s overarching argument

In today’s digital world, children’s screen time has become a common aspect of their daily routines, raising critical questions about the potential effects on their cognitive development and social behavior. Excessive screen time negatively impacts children’s brains, it affects their attention, language, and even their social skills, potentially causing behavioral issues and emotional disturbances. According to Common Sense Media, about all children under the age of 8 have their own tablet, and spend around 2 hours on it every day. And 1-year-olds, who were exposed to more than 4 hours of screen time, showed delays in communication and problem-solving as they grew older. According to “What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Children’s Brains?” by Dr. Jennifer Cross, she states, “There is emerging evidence that there may be some structural brain changes associated with greater exposure to screen time as a young child.” This evidence indicates that extended screen use, especially at critical developmental stages, may impact the brain’s structure, resulting in significant changes to certain brain regions and neural connections. When young children spend most of their time on electronic devices grow reliant on the satisfaction and engaging attraction of these devices, and often find it difficult to switch to non-electronic activities. In order to counteract the potential limitations imposed by excessive screen time, it is essential to promote social interactions with peers, encourage outdoor exploration for physical development, and encourage engagement with traditional toys to stimulate creativity. This will help to ensure that young children have a well-rounded developmental experience. So, what age is appropriate to introduce screens? Many experts recommend that children under the ages of 18-24 months, should avoid screen time with the exception of video chatting with family members. And children between the ages of 2 to 5 years old, it suggested having an average of 1 to 2 hours of screen time, focusing on educational and fun content so the child can actively engage in them and learn from it. I believe that a balanced approach to screen time and a variety of activities that engage the imagination, physical activity, and social interaction are crucial for children.

Dr. Jennifer Cross. What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Children’s Brains? Health Matters – NewYork-Presbyterian. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/

After reading both of the readings,  “When I Was Puerto Rican” by Esmeralda Santiago and Howard Gardner’s “Five Minds for the Future”, I enjoyed “When I Was Puerto Rican” by Esmeralda Santiago more. Because Santiago’s book is based on her own experiences and background, I found it more relatable and interesting. Since, I came to the United States at a young age not knowing the English language much, I can find this text much more relatable. I connected with her challenges and felt like I was with her throughout her journey since we have similar immigrant backgrounds. I find Santiago’s use of a narrative approach that connects her personal experiences more interesting since I prefer storytelling over academic discourse. On the other hand, Gardner’s book focuses more on explaining theories and ideas. Santiago’s storytelling can create a deeper emotional connection compared to the more analytical and intellectual nature of Gardner’s work. Therefore, I enjoyed “When I Was Puerto Rican” by Esmeralda Santiago much more as it felt a relation and had fun reading it then reading “Five Minds for the Future” by Howard Gardner, which I found interesting by not entertaining.