Children, Adolescents, and the Media

TLDR

Media—from television to smartphones and social media—dominates children’s lives, with television still leading but newer technologies rising, and while concerns about harmful effects persist, positive prosocial impacts are also acknowledged by schools, policymakers, and advertisers. Pediatricians are advised to take a media history at every well‑child visit, asking about daily recreational screen time and presence of devices in the bedroom, and parents are urged to create a family media‑use plan.

Abstract

Media, from television to the "new media" (including cell phones, iPads, and social media), are a dominant force in children's lives. Although television is still the predominant medium for children and adolescents, new technologies are increasingly popular. The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to be concerned by evidence about the potential harmful effects of media messages and images; however, important positive and prosocial effects of media use should also be recognized. Pediatricians are encouraged to take a media history and ask 2 media questions at every well-child visit: How much recreational screen time does your child or teenager consume daily? Is there a television set or Internet-connected device in the child's bedroom? Parents are encouraged to establish a family home use plan for all media. Media influences on children and teenagers should be recognized by schools, policymakers, product advertisers, and entertainment producers.