Page 172 - SpringBoard_ELA_Grade8_Flipbook

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Representative Urges Action on the Media
In order to combat what he calls the dangerous increases in teens’ harmful media habits, Representative Mark Jenkins has recently introduced legislation that would make it a crime for anyone under the age of 18 to engage with more than two hours of media a day on the weekdays and three hours a day on the weekends. The bill defines “media” as television, radio, commercial magazines, non-school related Internet
and any blogs or podcasts with advertising. Penalties for violation can range from forfeiture of driver’s licenses and media counseling to fines for parents or removal of media tools (TVs, computers, phones, etc.). Monitoring systems will be set up in each Congressional district through the offices of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. Rep. Jenkins could not be reached for comment because he was appearing on television.
4. Read the debate prompt (always posed as an interrogative sentence).
Debate: Should the government restrict media usage for anyone under the age of 18 to two hours a day on weekdays and three hours a day on weekends?
5. Brainstorm valid reasons for both sides of the issue. Focus on logos (logical) appeals, though you may use other appeals to develop your argument. During the debate, you will use these notes to argue your side.
my Notes
YES, the government should restrict media usage because:
Reason 1:
Evidence:
Reason 2:
Evidence:
NO, the government should not restrict media usage because:
Reason 1:
Evidence:
Reason 2:
Evidence:
Unit 2 • The Challenge of Utopia 145
forfeiture: the giving up of something as a penalty for wrongdoing
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