Kids & the media
Kids and the media is a growing concern. Even very young children in our society get a big daily dose of television, video games and music lyrics. While such media can provide education and entertainment, they can also damage children. Research shows that exposure to violent media can result in aggressive attitudes and violent behavior in some children and adolescents.
Adapted from “Media violence and children” ACT Against Violence
Understanding Media's Impact on Children
- The impact of food advertising on childhood obesity
Research has found strong associations between increases in advertising for non-nutritious foods and rates of childhood obesity.
- Violence in the Media - Psychologists Help Protect Children from Harmful Effects
Decades of psychological research confirms that media violence can increase aggression.
- U.S. children: overweight and oversexed?
Psychologists decry the cultural and marketing trends that are undermining children's mental—and physical—health.
Getting Help
News
-
Kids see fewer ads for sweets, more for fast food
July 10, 2010, USA Today
-
Too many video games may sap attention span
July 5, 2010, CNN
-
Cartoon characters attract kids to junk food
June 21, 2010, CNN
-
Two simple ways to get kids to watch less TV
June 14, 2010, US News & World Report
-
Violent Video Games May Increase Aggression in Some But Not Others, Says New Research
June 7, 2010
-
An ugly toll of technology: Impatience and forgetfulness
June 6, 2010, The New York Times
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- Mini-multitaskers
February 2009
- Creating a place for MySpace
November 2007
- APA task force report decries culture's sexualization of girls
April 2007
- Protecting children from advertising
June 2004
Books
- Featuring Females
June 2005
- Jenny Is Scared! When Sad Things Happen in The World
May 2003
- Parenting That Works
September 2002
APA Offices and Programs
- Sexualization of Girls
This task force found that the proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media is harmful to girls' self-image and healthy development.