Generation Me Rhetorical Analysis

Over 75% of 12-17 year-olds own a cell phone, according to a recent study performed by Pew Research Center. (Madden) This percentage is a dramatic increase from just decades ago. The image “Mobile Phones for Teenagers” shows how many members of Generation Me interact with technology. This image utilizes the Aristotelian appeal to pathos and shows how obsessed with technology Gen Me’ers are, as pointed out by Dr. Jean Twenge in her book Generation Me. In the image, there are four teenagers; two boys and two girls, probably around age 16 to 18. They are standing against a brown, brick wall outside all staring at their cell phones, which look like smartphones. One of the boys is smiling, the other boy and one of the girls looks confused,
The background of this image is a brown, brick wall. This wall may signify the walls that are put in between people sometimes due to technology. If someone is too obsessed with technology, then they may lose contact with the outside world causing him or her to lose friends. The main colors that are used are from the teen’s clothing, although none of the colors are bright. The dull colors for their clothes were probably chosen so they would not distract the viewer from the main point of the image, the cell phones. Equally important, there are no words on this image. The photographer probably found it unnecessary to add words since this is a self-explanatory photo. The viewer is able to see that these teenagers are clearly more interested in their phones than in each other. It is four teenagers standing next to each other; there are two boys and two girls who are all dressed casually. There is probably a mixture of each gender to show that this technology obsession is not specific to either sex. The camera angle is straight on, making it able to see each person’s face. Since the angle is straight on, it is able to see that each of the teenagers’ eyes is on their phone. This image represents how Gen Me’ers are always on their cell phones. They are so attached to technology that they are unable to focus on the real world that is surrounding them. Also, Gen Me’ers are more obsessed with what is
This is mostly discussed in chapter 5 of Generation Me. The image shows that our current culture is too obsessed with technology. Many teenagers are more interested in their cell phones, instead of the people around them. “Media saturation has had an impact on GenMe”. (Twenge 146) These advances in technology are not always a positive thing, there are some negatives. Some members of Generation Me may be abusing technology, by constantly using it. When these teenagers are constantly on their phones, they are not gaining any in-person communication skills. They are also ignoring the people next to them by always being on their phones. “When we’re not watching TV, we’re on the Internet, sometimes on traditional new offshoots like cnn.com but other times trolling through places where we have to wear our skepticism cap at every moment”. (Twenge 146) Some members of Gen Me are guilty to believing everything they read or hear. There are many things on the Internet that are made up, so it is important to be skeptical of what is believed. Twenge states, “Generation Me’s external beliefs are somewhat ironic considering the better health and safety we enjoy. Our generation has never been drafted to fight in a war. Life expectancy is at an all-time high, and advances in medical technology and pharmaceuticals make our lives better”. (149) The technological advances do