The Internet, in contrast to in-person interactions with health providers, allows anonymous and nonpunitive ease of access. Adolescents have long sought honest, direct answers to important but embarrassing questions about…
Most American schools are 50 years behind in incorporating new technology into the classroom and using media wisely. Some experts estimate that 65% of today’s grade-school students may end up…
Historically and currently, media messages around body shape and size emphasize the importance of being below-average weight for women and hypermuscular for men. The media messages around physical appearance are…
This article assesses the role played by media in contributing to the current epidemic of childhood obesity. Electronic media use, often referred to as screen time, is significantly correlated with…
Because of their avid use of new media and their increased spending power, children and teens have become primary targets of a new “media and marketing ecosystem.” The digital marketplace…
Video games are a pervasive pastime among children and adolescents. The growing popularity of video games has instigated a debate among parents, researchers, video game producers, and policymakers concerning potential…
There is substantial literature on the impact of the mass media on children’s and adolescents’ health and development. The question of what role new technology plays in the media’s influence…
Parents, teachers, health care providers, and other caring adults worry about the harmful influence of media messages and images on children and teens and wonder how to recognize and encourage…
Should babies be watching television and DVDs? This is a reasonable question to ask but a difficult one to answer. This article reviews the theories and related research to examine…
Social networking sites are popular among and consistently used by adolescents. These sites present benefits as well as risks to adolescent health. Recently, pediatric providers have also considered the benefits…
