title: Health effects of media on children and adolescents.
abstract: Youth spend an average of >7 hours/day using media, and the vast majority of them have access to a bedroom television, computer, the Internet, a video-game console, and a cell phone. In this article we review the most recent research on the effects of media on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Studies have shown that media can provide information about safe health practices and can foster social connectedness. However, recent evidence raises concerns about media's effects on aggression, sexual behavior, substance use, disordered eating, and academic difficulties. We provide recommendations for parents, practitioners, the media, and policy makers, among others, for ways to increase the benefits and reduce the harm that media can have for the developing child and for adolescents.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, MSC10 5590, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA. vstrasburger@salud.unm.edu
authors.forename: Victor C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Strasburger
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Donnerstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003146:Communications Media / Q000639:trends*; D003201:Computers / Q000639:trends; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media / Q000639:trends; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000639:trends; D013690:Television / Q000639:trends; D018910:Video Games / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends*