Imagine that you are giving a speech. Your goal is to convince your audience that students as young as 12 years old should be allowed to have smartphones. After you have successfully given your speech, you ask for audience questions and comments. Someone says, “I don’t think that 12-year-olds should be allowed to have cell phones because too much social media use is bad for teens.” How would you address this objection? Write a short paragraph of five to six sentences in response to your audience member’s objection.

Thank you for sharing your concern about social media use among teens. While it is true that excessive use of social media can have negative effects, it is important to acknowledge that smartphones offer more than just social media. They can serve as valuable educational tools, allowing students to access a world of information at their fingertips. With parental guidance and supervision, smartphones can be used to enhance learning, develop critical thinking skills, and foster online safety awareness. By teaching responsible and mindful phone usage, we can equip 12-year-olds with the necessary skills to navigate the digital world responsibly and make the most out of the educational opportunities smartphones can offer.