| Abstract: |
Objective: Examine literature on media exposure on adolescent males and investigate whether media experience of young males should be concern for clinicians.
Data Sources: Literature published on media use by adolescents; effects of media on teenagers; media and clinicians.
Study Selection: N/A
Data Synthesis: Media integral part of adolescent developmental process. Media represent danger and potential for health of young people. Research has shown that exposure to or use of various media can have negative effects on physical and mental health of teenage boys. Concerns of media related to violence and aggressive behavior, obesity, sexual risky behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, and distorted body concept, dieting and disordered eating among adolescent boys. Essential to include media effects as part of adolescent’s boy health supervision. Parents should be more involved in children’s media choices and children should be taught media literacy. Role for media to teach youngsters about drugs, health etc.
Conclusion: Although lot of research on media effects, more research needed on how media affects teenage males. Important role for clinicians to address media effects as part of health supervision. Parents should also be involved in youngsters’ media use and children should be taught media literacy. © Center on Media and Child Health |
