|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PEDIATRICS Vol. 104 No. 2 August 1999, pp. 341-343
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS:
Media Education
 |
ABSTRACT |
|---|
Top
Abstract
Recommendation
References
|
|---|
The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that exposure to mass media (ie, television, movies, video and computer games, the Internet, music lyrics and videos, newspapers, magazines, books, advertising, etc) presents both health risks and benefits for children and adolescents. Media education has the potential to reduce the harmful effects of media. By understanding and supporting media education, pediatricians can play an important role in reducing the risk of exposure to mass media for children and adolescents.
For more than a decade, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) has recognized both the public health risks and the
benefits of mass media for children and adolescents. The potential
benefits that media offer are clear, from selected educational
television programs to thought-provoking magazine articles, to the
creativity and knowledge encouraged through computer use. However,
pediatricians are increasingly aware of negative media influence on
children and adolescents. Five recently published AAP statements
summarize the available research about the effects of media on young
people and encourage media education for parents and children as an
approach to mitigating potentially harmful effects.1-5 Many concerns about media exist, including those described in the
following sections.
Currently, the average American child or adolescent spends >21
hours per week viewing television.6 This figure does not
include time spent watching movies, listening to music or watching
music videos, playing video or computer games, or surfing the Internet
for recreational purposes. Time spent with media often displaces
involvement in creative, active, or social pursuits.
More than 1000 scientific studies and reviews conclude that
significant exposure to media violence increases the risk of aggressive behavior in certain children and adolescents, desensitizes them to
violence, and makes them believe that the world is a "meaner and
scarier" place than it is.7-10 Violence appears in
various forms of media entertainment, such as movies, video games, and
television news. Research has shown that news reports of bombings,
natural disasters, murders, and other violent crimes have the potential
to traumatize young children.11
American media, both programming and advertising, are highly
sexualized in their content. In fact, the average young viewer is
exposed to >14 000 sexual references each year, yet only a handful
provides an accurate portrayal of responsible sexual behavior or
accurate information about birth control, abstinence, or the risks of
pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease.7,10
Increasingly, media messages and images are normalizing and
glamorizing the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Tobacco manufacturers spend $6 billion per year, and alcohol manufacturers $2
billion per year, to entice youngsters into "just saying yes." Popular movies are often showing the lead character or likeable characters using and enjoying tobacco and alcohol
products.7,12,13
Increased television use is documented to be a significant factor
leading to obesity14 and may lead to decreased school
achievement as well.15 Although there is concern that
overstimulation from high levels of media use might lead to attention
deficit disorder or hyperactivity, there has been no research to date
that demonstrates such a causal relationship.
Media education has the potential to reduce these harmful effects
through the process of educating children, adolescents, and adults
about media. Media education is defined as the study and analysis of
mass media. A media-literate public is able to decipher the purpose and
message of media rather than accepting it at face value. With an
educated understanding of media images and messages, users can
recognize media's potential effects and make good choices about their
and their children's media exposure.
Media education represents a multifaceted approach to understanding and
eliminating the negative impact of media images and messages on young
people. At the same time, it allows the positive and prosocial uses of
media to be explored and appreciated. Media education includes the
ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and produce media products. A
media-educated person understands the following: all media messages are
constructed; media messages shape our understanding of the world;
individuals interpret media messages uniquely; and mass media has
powerful economic implications. A media-educated person will be
able to limit use of media; make positive media choices; select
creative alternatives to media consumption; develop critical thinking
and viewing skills; and understand the political, social, economic, and
emotional implications of all forms of media.1316-18
Research strongly suggests that media education may result in
young people becoming less vulnerable to negative aspects of media
exposure.9,19,20 In several studies, children in
elementary school-based programs were able to evaluate program and
advertising content more critically.21-23 In other
studies, heavy viewers of violent programming were less accepting of
violence or showed decreased aggressive behavior after a media
education intervention.24,25 A recent study found a change
in attitudes regarding intention to drink alcohol after a media
education program.26 Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and
some Latin American countries have successfully incorporated media
education into school curricula.19 Common sense would
suggest that increased media education in the United States could
represent a simple, potentially effective approach to combating the
myriad of harmful media messages seen or heard by children and
adolescents. Given the volume of information transmitted through mass
media as opposed to the written word, it is as important to teach media
literacy as print literacy. However, media education should
not be used as a substitute for careful scrutiny of the
media industry's responsibility for its programming.
The AAP recommends the following:
THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT WITH THE MEDIA
THE IMPACT OF MEDIA VIOLENCE ON AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
SEXUAL CONTENT IN THE MEDIA
TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL
EFFECTS OF MEDIA ON OBESITY AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
VALUE OF MEDIA EDUCATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Top
Abstract
Recommendation
References
3. Pediatricians should urge parents to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years. Although certain television programs may be promoted to this age group, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents and other significant care givers (eg, child care providers) for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Therefore, exposing such young children to television programs should be discouraged.
4. Pediatricians should serve as role models for appropriate media use by limiting television and video use in waiting rooms and patients' rooms, using educational materials to promote reading, and having visits by volunteer readers in waiting rooms.
5. Pediatricians should alert and educate parents, children, adolescents, teachers, school officials, and other professionals about media-associated health risks. Pediatricians should also alert and educate parents when positive media opportunities arise, either educational or informative.
6. Pediatricians should collaborate with other professionals, including the parent-teacher association, schools, and community groups, to promote media education.
7. Pediatricians should, along with other public health activists, continue to monitor media and to advocate for increasing educational and prosocial programming and messages for children and youth.
8. Pediatricians should encourage their state and federal governments to explore mandating and funding universal media education programs with demonstrated effectiveness in American schools.
9. Pediatricians should encourage the government and private foundations to increase the funding available for media education research. In particular, more research is needed on media influence in the areas of sexuality, substance abuse, attention deficit disorder, and juvenile offenders who have committed violent or sexual crimes.
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, 1998-1999
Marjorie Hogan, MD, Chairperson
Miriam Bar-on, MD
Lillian Beard, MD
Suzanne Corrigan, MD
Alberto Gedissman, MD
Francis Palumbo, MD
Michael Rich, MD
Donald Shifrin, MD
LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES
Michael Roberts, PhD
American Psychological Association
Susan Villani, MD
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
CONSULTANTS
James Holroyd, MD
Norman S. Sherry, MD
Victor Strasburger, MD
| |
FOOTNOTES |
|---|
The recommendations in this statement do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.
| |
ABBREVIATIONS |
|---|
AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics.
| |
REFERENCES |
|---|
|
Top
Abstract
Recommendation
References
|
|---|
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications Children, adolescents, and television. Pediatrics. 1995; 96:786-787
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications Sexuality, contraception, and the media. Pediatrics. 1995; 95:298-300
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications Children, adolescents, and advertising. Pediatrics. 1995; 95:295-297
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications Media violence. Pediatrics. 1995; 95:949-951
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications Impact of music lyrics and rock music videos on children and youth. Pediatrics. 1996; 98:1219-1221
- 1998 Report on Television. New York, NY: Nielsen Media Research; 1998
- Strasburger VC. Adolescents and the Media. Medical and Psychological Impact. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 1995
- Walsh D, Goldman LS, Brown R. American Medical Association. Physician Guide to Media Violence. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association; 1996
- Huston AC, Donnerstein E, Fairchild H, et al. Big World, Small Screen: the Role of Television in American Society. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press; 1992
- Strasburger VC. "Sex, drugs, rock 'n roll" and the media: are the media responsible for adolescent behavior? Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews. 1997;8:403-414
- Cantor J Children's fright reactions to television news. J Commun. 1996; 46:139-152
- Signorelli N. Mass Media Images and Impact on Health: A Sourcebook. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press; 1993
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Education Association Health Information Network, US Department of Health and Human Services. MediaSharp: Analyzing Tobacco and Alcohol Messages (Leader's Guide). Washington, DC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1997
- Dietz WH. Television, obesity, and eating disorders. Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews. 1993;4:543-549
- Morgan M. Television and school performance. Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews. 1993;4:607-622
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Division of Public Education. Media Matters Campaign Kit. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 1997
- DeGaetano G, Bander K. Screen Smarts: A Family Guide to Media Literacy. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin; 1996
- Singer DG, Singer JL Developing critical viewing skills and media literacy in children. Ann Am Acad Polit Soc Sci. 1998; 557:164-169
- Brown JA. Television "Critical Viewing Skills" Education: Major Media Literacy Projects in the United States and Selected Countries. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates; 1991
- Singer DG, Zuckerman DM, Singer JL Helping elementary-school children learn about TV. J Commun. 1980; 30:84-93
- Dorr A, Graves SB, Phelps E Television literacy for young children. J Commun. 1980; 30:71-83
- Roberts DF, Christenson P, Gibson WA, Modser L, Goldberg ME Developing discriminating consumers. J Commun. 1980; 30:94-105
- Feshbach S, Feshbach ND, Cohen SE Enhancing children's discrimination in response to television advertising: the effects of psychoeducational training in two elementary school-age groups. Dev Rev. 1982; 2:385-403
- Huesmann LR, Eron LD, Klein R, Brice P, Fischer P Mitigating the imitation of aggressive behaviors by changing children's attitudes about media violence. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1983; 44:899-910
- Gunter B. The question of media violence. In: Bryant J, Zillman D, eds. Media Effects: Advances in Theory and Research. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates; 1994:163-211
- Austin EW, Johnson KK Effects of general and alcohol-specific media literacy training on children's decision making model about alcohol. J Health Commun. 1997; 2:17-42
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Division of Public Education. "Media History Form," Media Matters Campaign Kit. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 1998
Pediatrics (ISSN 0031 4005). Copyright ©1999 by the American Academy of Pediatrics
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  S. A. Goodrich, T. A. Pempek, and S. L. Calvert Formal Production Features of Infant and Toddler DVDs Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, December 1, 2009; 163(12): 1151 - 1156. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. A. Christakis and M. M. Garrison Preschool-Aged Children's Television Viewing in Child Care Settings Pediatrics, December 1, 2009; 124(6): 1627 - 1632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Council on Communications and Media Impact of Music, Music Lyrics, and Music Videos on Children and Youth Pediatrics, November 1, 2009; 124(5): 1488 - 1494. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Council on Communications and Media Media Violence Pediatrics, November 1, 2009; 124(5): 1495 - 1503. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. A. Christakis and M. A. Moreno Trapped in the Net: Will Internet Addiction Become a 21st-Century Epidemic? Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, October 1, 2009; 163(10): 959 - 960. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. A. Primack, D. Fine, C. K. Yang, D. Wickett, and S. Zickmund Adolescents' impressions of antismoking media literacy education: qualitative results from a randomized controlled trial Health Educ. Res., August 1, 2009; 24(4): 608 - 621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. S. DeLoache and C. Chiong Babies and Baby Media American Behavioral Scientist, April 1, 2009; 52(8): 1115 - 1135. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. A. Christakis and F. J Zimmerman Young Children and Media: Limitations of Current Knowledge and Future Directions for Research American Behavioral Scientist, April 1, 2009; 52(8): 1177 - 1185. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. R. Anderson and K. G. Hanson Children, Media, and Methodology American Behavioral Scientist, April 1, 2009; 52(8): 1204 - 1219. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. E. Schmidt, M. Rich, S. L. Rifas-Shiman, E. Oken, and E. M. Taveras Television Viewing in Infancy and Child Cognition at 3 Years of Age in a US Cohort Pediatrics, March 1, 2009; 123(3): e370 - e375. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. W. Austin, B. E. Pinkleton, and R. P. Funabiki The Desirability Paradox in the Effects of Media Literacy Training Communication Research, October 1, 2007; 34(5): 483 - 506. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. B. Mistry, C. S. Minkovitz, D. M. Strobino, and D. L.G. Borzekowski Children's Television Exposure and Behavioral and Social Outcomes at 5.5 Years: Does Timing of Exposure Matter? Pediatrics, October 1, 2007; 120(4): 762 - 769. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. E. Landhuis, R. Poulton, D. Welch, and R. J. Hancox Does Childhood Television Viewing Lead to Attention Problems in Adolescence? Results From a Prospective Longitudinal Study Pediatrics, September 1, 2007; 120(3): 532 - 537. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Jackson, J. D. Brown, and K. L. L'Engle R-Rated Movies, Bedroom Televisions, and Initiation of Smoking by White and Black Adolescents Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, March 1, 2007; 161(3): 260 - 268. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G McGwin Jr, K Modjarrad, A Reiland, S Tanner, and L W Rue III Prevalence of transportation safety measures portrayed in primetime US television programs and commercials Inj. Prev., December 1, 2006; 12(6): 400 - 403. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Committee on Communications Children, Adolescents, and Advertising Pediatrics, December 1, 2006; 118(6): 2563 - 2569. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. C. Nelson, D. Neumark-Stzainer, P. J. Hannan, J. R. Sirard, and M. Story Longitudinal and Secular Trends in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior During Adolescence Pediatrics, December 1, 2006; 118(6): e1627 - e1634. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. F. Belamarich, R. Gandica, R. E. K. Stein, and A. D. Racine Drowning in a Sea of Advice: Pediatricians and American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statements Pediatrics, October 1, 2006; 118(4): e964 - e978. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. E. Schmidt and M. Rich Media and Child Health: Pediatric Care and Anticipatory Guidance for the Information Age. Pediatr. Rev., August 1, 2006; 27(8): 289 - 298. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Academy lends expertise on Web safety service for children AAP News, May 1, 2006; 27(5): 17 - 17. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. A. Primack, M. A. Gold, G. E. Switzer, R. Hobbs, S. R. Land, and M. J. Fine Development and Validation of a Smoking Media Literacy Scale for Adolescents Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, April 1, 2006; 160(4): 369 - 374. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. C. Lumeng, S. Rahnama, D. Appugliese, N. Kaciroti, and R. H. Bradley Television Exposure and Overweight Risk in Preschoolers Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, April 1, 2006; 160(4): 417 - 422. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Strasburger "Clueless": Why Do Pediatricians Underestimate the Media's Influence on Children and Adolescents? Pediatrics, April 1, 2006; 117(4): 1427 - 1431. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Stevens and M. Mulsow There Is No Meaningful Relationship Between Television Exposure and Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Pediatrics, March 1, 2006; 117(3): 665 - 672. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. W. Austin, Y.-C. Y. Chen, B. E. Pinkleton, and J. Q. Johnson Benefits and Costs of Channel One in a Middle School Setting and the Role of Media-Literacy Training Pediatrics, March 1, 2006; 117(3): e423 - e433. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. A. Vandewater, D. S. Bickham, and J. H. Lee Time Well Spent? Relating Television Use to Children's Free-Time Activities Pediatrics, February 1, 2006; 117(2): e181 - e191. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. S. McIlhaney Jr, Problems and Solutions Associated With Media Consumption: The Role of the Practitioner Pediatrics, July 1, 2005; 116(1/S1): 327 - 328. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. A. Wartella, E. A. Vandewater, and V. J. Rideout Introduction: Electronic Media Use in the Lives of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers American Behavioral Scientist, January 1, 2005; 48(5): 501 - 504. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. R. Anderson and T. A. Pempek Television and Very Young Children American Behavioral Scientist, January 1, 2005; 48(5): 505 - 522. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. B. Jordan Learning to Use Books and Television: An Exploratory Study in the Ecological Perspective American Behavioral Scientist, January 1, 2005; 48(5): 523 - 538. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. A. Vandewater, D. S. Bickham, J. H. Lee, H. M. Cummings, E. A. Wartella, and V. J. Rideout When the Television Is Always On: Heavy Television Exposure and Young Children's Development American Behavioral Scientist, January 1, 2005; 48(5): 562 - 577. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. L. Calvert, V. J. Rideout, J. L. Woolard, R. F. Barr, and G. A. Strouse Age, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Patterns in Early Computer Use: A National Survey American Behavioral Scientist, January 1, 2005; 48(5): 590 - 607. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. L. Linebarger and D. Walker Infants' and Toddlers' Television Viewing and Language Outcomes American Behavioral Scientist, January 1, 2005; 48(5): 624 - 645. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. F. Tamburro, P. L. Gordon, J. P. D'Apolito, and S. C. Howard Unsafe and Violent Behavior in Commercials Aired During Televised Major Sporting Events Pediatrics, December 1, 2004; 114(6): e694 - e698. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. A. Gentile, C. Oberg, N. E. Sherwood, M. Story, D. A. Walsh, and M. Hogan Well-Child Visits in the Video Age: Pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics' Guidelines for Children's Media Use Pediatrics, November 1, 2004; 114(5): 1235 - 1241. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. A. Christakis, F. J. Zimmerman, D. L. DiGiuseppe, and C. A. McCarty Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children Pediatrics, April 1, 2004; 113(4): 708 - 713. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D Isaac, M D Cusimano, A Sherman, and M Chipman Child safety education and the world wide web: an evaluation of the content and quality of online resources Inj. Prev., February 1, 2004; 10(1): 59 - 61. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. F. Garfield, P. J. Chung, and P. J. Rathouz Alcohol Advertising in Magazines and Adolescent Readership JAMA, May 14, 2003; 289(18): 2424 - 2429. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Sharma, M. D. Dowd, D. S. Swanson, A. J. Slaughter, and S. D. Simon Influence of the News Media on Diagnostic Testing in the Emergency Department Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, March 1, 2003; 157(3): 257 - 260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Byrd-Bredbenner Saturday Morning Children's Television Advertising: A Longitudinal Content Analysis Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, March 1, 2002; 30(3): 382 - 403. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. M. Thompson and F. Yokota Depiction of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Substances in G-Rated Animated Feature Films Pediatrics, June 1, 2001; 107(6): 1369 - 1374. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Johnston COMMENTARY: Commercialism in Classrooms Pediatrics, April 1, 2001; 107(4): e44 - e44. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Policy and Politics Health Promot Pract, January 1, 2001; 2(1): 27 - 31. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Rich and M. Bar-on Child Health in the Information Age: Media Education of Pediatricians Pediatrics, January 1, 2001; 107(1): 156 - 162. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. E Bar-on Current topic: The effects of television on child health: implications and recommendations Arch. Dis. Child., October 1, 2000; 83(4): 289 - 292. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||