impact of media on youth
Impact of media use on children and youth
The influence of the media on the psychosocial development of children is profound. Thus, it is important for physicians to discuss with parents their child’s exposure to media and to provide guidance on age-appropriate use of all media, including television, radio, music, video games and the Internet.
The objectives of this statement are to explore the beneficial and harmful effects of media on children’s mental and physical health, and to identify how physicians can counsel patients and their families and promote the healthy use of the media in their communities.
TELEVISION
Television has the potential to generate both positive and negative effects, and many studies have looked at the impact of television on society, particularly on children and adolescents (1,2). An individual child’s developmental level is a critical factor in determining whether the medium will have positive or negative effects. Not all television programs are bad, but data showing the negative effects of exposure to violence, inappropriate sexuality and offensive language are convincing (3). Still, physicians need to advocate continued research into the negative and positive effects of media on children and adolescents.
Current literature suggests the following:
Physicians can change and improve children’s television viewing habits (4).
Canadian children watch excessive amounts of television (5,6).
There is a relationship between watching violent television programming and an increase in violent behaviour by children (2,7).
Excessive television watching contributes to the increased incidence of childhood obesity (8,9).
Excessive television watching may have a deleterious effect on learning and academic performance (10).
Watching certain programs may encourage irresponsible sexual behaviour (11).
Television is an effective way of advertising products to children of various ages (12).
The average Canadian child watches nearly
The influence of the media on the psychosocial development of children is profound. Thus, it is important for physicians to discuss with parents their child’s exposure to media and to provide guidance on age-appropriate use of all media, including television, radio, music, video games and the Internet.
The objectives of this statement are to explore the beneficial and harmful effects of media on children’s mental and physical health, and to identify how physicians can counsel patients and their families and promote the healthy use of the media in their communities.
TELEVISION
Television has the potential to generate both positive and negative effects, and many studies have looked at the impact of television on society, particularly on children and adolescents (1,2). An individual child’s developmental level is a critical factor in determining whether the medium will have positive or negative effects. Not all television programs are bad, but data showing the negative effects of exposure to violence, inappropriate sexuality and offensive language are convincing (3). Still, physicians need to advocate continued research into the negative and positive effects of media on children and adolescents.
Current literature suggests the following:
Physicians can change and improve children’s television viewing habits (4).
Canadian children watch excessive amounts of television (5,6).
There is a relationship between watching violent television programming and an increase in violent behaviour by children (2,7).
Excessive television watching contributes to the increased incidence of childhood obesity (8,9).
Excessive television watching may have a deleterious effect on learning and academic performance (10).
Watching certain programs may encourage irresponsible sexual behaviour (11).
Television is an effective way of advertising products to children of various ages (12).
The average Canadian child watches nearly