Impact of media on children and adolescents: A 10-year review of the research

Objective: To review the research literature published within the past 10 y ears regarding the impact of media on children and adolescents. Method: Med ia categories researched with computer technology included television and m ovies, rock music and music videos. advertising, video games, and computers and the Internet. Results: Research prior to 1990 documented that children learn behaviors and have their value systems shaped by media. Media resear ch since has focused on content and viewing patterns. Conclusions: The prim ary effects of media exposure are increased violent and aggressive behavior , increased high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and tobacco use, and acc elerated onset of sexual activity. The newer forms of media have not been a dequately studied. but concern is warranted through the logical extension o f earlier research on other media forms and the amount of time the average child spends with increasingly sophisticated media.