Navigating Media S Influence Through Childhood And Adolescence

Navigating Media’s Influence Through Childhood and Adolescence moves through research and questions that are relevant to practicing pediatricians and therapists in their everyday practice. As we navigate post-pandemic life where screen time was unrestricted in most homes, this book has never been more important. Written by a pediatrician and a professor of media effects, this book is a vital resource for practicing mental health clinicians, counselors, psychologists, physicians, and students studying in those areas. Grounded in developmental theory, mass communication theory, current research, and acumen gained from years of clinical and teaching experience, this book gives professionals what they need to understand the colossal effect media is having on their patients. An aid to practitioners, this book is organized by developmental stage and matches specific questions related to media’s effects with explicit research-based recommendations and explanations. It is intended to be a quick resource guide for the busy professional.

The presence and intensity of media influences television, radio, music, computers, films, videos, and the Internet are increasingly recognized as an important part of the social ecology of children and youth, and these influences have become more visible and volatile in recent decades. Research that explores the level and effects of media influences calls for measurements of the quantity and character of exposure to a variety of potentially overlapping media sources, an analysis of the content of the media output, and examination of the social context and relationships that are associated with the media experience. Recognizing the importance of this research, the Board on Children, Youth, and Families, under the auspices of the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine, and with the sponsorship of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, held a workshop in March 2006. Its purpose was twofold: to examine the quality of the measures used in studies of the effects of media on children's health and development and to identify gaps in both research and practice. The goal was for a variety of experts to consider steps and strategies that could move this research forward and improve its utility for helping parents, practitioners, and policy makers guide young people in navigating a media-rich environment. Studying Media Effects on Children and Youth provides a summary of that discussion, supplemented with information from two papers prepared for the workshop. It begins with an examination of the potential impact of media exposure, followed by a description of the basic research questions and the methods currently used to study them. Methodological questions and challenges and theoretical approaches are described; they are discussed from the perspective of other kinds of epidemiological research. This report closes with a discussion of future directions for the field.

Taking an approach grounded in the media effects tradition, this book provides a comprehensive, research-oriented treatment of how children and adolescents interact with the media. Chapters review the latest findings as well as seminal studies that have helped frame the issues in such areas as advertising, violence, video games, sexuality, drugs, body image and eating disorders, music, and the Internet. Each chapter is liberally sprinkled with illustrations, examples from the media, policy debates, and real-life instances of media impact.

Cover -- Half-title -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 Youth and Media -- 2 Then and Now -- 3 Themes and Theoretical Perspectives -- 4 Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers -- 5 Children -- 6 Adolescents -- 7 Media and Violence -- 8 Media and Emotions -- 9 Advertising and Commercialism -- 10 Media and Sex -- 11 Media and Education -- 12 Digital Games -- 13 Social Media -- 14 Media and Parenting -- 15 The End -- Notes -- Acknowledgments -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- X -- Y -- Z

The volume is divided into four parts. Part One provides up-to-date trends on children and adolescents' access to media in the home, as well as the time they spend with television, computers, and the Internet. Part Two presents research that highlights the potentially negative impact of age-inappropriate or excess media use on children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Part Three offers examples of how media enhance children's education, health, and social connections. Part Four explores implications for the creation of high-quality, enriching content that speaks to the needs and interests of young people today.

Adolescenceâ€"beginning with the onset of puberty and ending in the mid-20sâ€"is a critical period of development during which key areas of the brain mature and develop. These changes in brain structure, function, and connectivity mark adolescence as a period of opportunity to discover new vistas, to form relationships with peers and adults, and to explore one's developing identity. It is also a period of resilience that can ameliorate childhood setbacks and set the stage for a thriving trajectory over the life course. Because adolescents comprise nearly one-fourth of the entire U.S. population, the nation needs policies and practices that will better leverage these developmental opportunities to harness the promise of adolescenceâ€"rather than focusing myopically on containing its risks. This report examines the neurobiological and socio-behavioral science of adolescent development and outlines how this knowledge can be applied, both to promote adolescent well-being, resilience, and development, and to rectify structural barriers and inequalities in opportunity, enabling all adolescents to flourish.

An illuminating study of the complex relationship between children and media in the digital age Now, as never before, young people are surrounded by media—thanks to the sophistication and portability of the technology that puts it literally in the palms of their hands. Drawing on data and empirical research that cross many fields and continents, authors Valkenburg and Piotrowski examine the role of media in the lives of children from birth through adolescence, addressing the complex issues of how media affect the young and what adults can do to encourage responsible use in an age of selfies, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This important study looks at both the sunny and the dark side of media use by today’s youth, including why and how their preferences change throughout childhood, whether digital gaming is harmful or helpful, the effects of placing tablets and smartphones in the hands of toddlers, the susceptibility of young people to online advertising, the legitimacy of parental concerns about media multitasking, and more.

Are you worried about the relentless influence social media might be having on your child's mental health? Are you uncertain about how to support your child with the issues that social media can raise? What if you could empower yourself to help your child navigate the treacherous terrain of the digital world? In many ways, social media is an incredibly beneficial platform for young people. It is a place for them to express themselves, connect with others outside of school, and learn new skills and information. But there are disadvantages and dangers to social media, too, and these can have a significant impact on a young person's mental health. Perhaps you are worried that your child is experiencing these impacts, and you are searching for help understanding what they are going through and how to help them get back on the right track. If this sounds like you, Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health is a must-read. This book stands as a beacon of unwavering guidance for any parent or caregiver who desires to be equipped to minimize the impact of social media on their child's mental health. Here, you will learn more about the digital wilderness that we call social media to better understand how you can help your child navigate the online world safely, securely, and successfully. Through the compelling insights and real-life narratives provided in this book, you will learn all the skills you need to support your child while they're online and also prepare them to gain as many of the benefits as possible. Inside Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health, discover: A greater understanding of the social media landscape. The influence of social media on youth mental health. How to be a digital sherpa. The power of digital resilience. How to nurture online creativity and self-expression. Actionable steps to fostering digital citizenship in your child. How to find balance in the digital era. Don't let your child confront the dangers of social media on their own. Grab a copy of Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health today!