Article Comment One

Digital Diversions...

I love the use of humor in the lede--especially the question that the mother asks at the end. I wonder how the reporter found this source though, as it is not something obvious about the person that you'd be able to find via an internet search. The personal anecdote works well here, it both draws me in and makes me relate to the plight of the mother.

In addition to these anecdotes, the writer has also used statistics and scientific data which makes the piece a lot more than just fluff and speculation. When she says that "80%" of teens don't get enough sleep, it make the reader realize that this is a real problem, not just an annoyance for tired mothers. However, none of this information really feels new or different to me. I've heard many times before that people don't get enough sleep, so in a way this subject feels a little "old."

The article then shifts focus from effects on family life to effects in school. Again, I feel like this makes the issue seem more real and important to readers as they see how it effects all areas of life. But then I feel it gets too broad and loses some focus. The title suggests that the article is about technology and sleep but the writer begins talking about the effects of after-school jobs and homework which seems to be getting too broad.

The article wraps up nicely because it echos the beginning. Both the beginning and end show parents "patrolling" after hours to make sure that their kids are actually asleep. This is a good technique to make the piece feel like it has ended rather than just stopping mid-thought.

Overall, this is well written and there is a great variety of sources, but I am left wondering "Okay, what do I do with this information now? What good does it do to my life." Nothing about the article felt like a revelation or offered new solutions to an age old problem which leaves me wondering "what's the point?"