1. Read the essay, then identify the thesis, in one sentence using your own words. Then find at least 3 main points of evidence that the author uses to support his or her thesis

2. After identifying the major points of evidence used by the author, in 3 4 sentences,

a. summarize the point of evidence.

b. provide an example of objective information the essay uses to back up the claim. State how this point of evidence supports the thesis

3. Look at the evidence presented by the article, and present in 1-2 complete paragraphs (topic sentence, supporting evidence and commentary, and concluding sentence). In these paragraphs, use at least one direct quotation (using quotation marks) and one indirect quotation (summary with no quotation marks).

a. Which point of evidence of the argument presented is the weakest.

b. How you or another reader might reasonably challenge this evidence.

c. How the author might improve this weakness in their article. Social media is harming the mental health of teenagers. The state has to act. The pressure to be perfect and always ‘on’ is overwhelming many of us, as studies show, but the government will not step in. Statutory PSHE lessons would be a start ‘Teenagers spoke about the pressure they felt to make themselves available 24/7. The digital landscape has put increased pressure on teenagers today, and we feel it. There are so many social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, you name it. I made a conscious decision to avoid Snapchat and Instagram because of the social pressure I saw them putting on my 14-year-old little sister. If my mum turned off the WiFi at 11pm, my sister would beg me to turn my phone into a hotspot. We know these things. We know that these studies demonstrate that we have to make personal, social and health education (PSHE) statutory in schools and ensure it covers a range of issues from healthy eating and sleeping to consent. And yet, Nicky Morgan and the government refuse to act. So I ask: what are we waiting for? Inaction on these issues is harming the physical and emotional wellbeing of young people in this country. What has to happen before we do something?