Q: I have been reading the Harry Potter series to my children ages 10 and 7. We’ve read the first and second book and watched the corresponding movies. Both my kids love the series and want to continue reading and watching. I’ve read a lot of varying opinions about the age-appropriateness of both the books… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Reading & Print Media
Can media use cause teens to be unhappy with their bodies and contribute to eating disorders?
Es En Espanol Q: You have mentioned research showing that using certain media can make teens sad and/or anxious and that there are also studies linking negative feelings to unhealthy eating habits. Therefore, do you think that negative feelings resulting from teens’ media use, as opposed to real-life events, can lead to unhealthy eating behaviors? ~ Starving for… Read more »
Is it ok for me to read books to my baby on a tablet?
Es En Espanol Q: My child is 13 months old and loves reading books. She is below the 24 month suggested age for screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Is it ok to read books with her on the iPad? ~ iPerplexed, USA A: Dear iPerplexed, This is a wonderful question and one that… Read more »
Do today’s media play a role in teen anxiety and depression?
Q: I am working on a project about adolescents in this century. I am curious why there are so many more cases of anxiety and depression within teenage groups these days. Do media play a role in this? Have antidepressants and anxiety medications helped or hurt youth? ~ Stressed Or Saddened, USA A: Dear SOS, Depression… Read more »
What Can I do to Protect My Kids from Seeing Inappropriate Fashion Catalogues?
Q: I recently received the Spring 2015 Catalog from the department store Barneys New York. The catalog was sent to my house without any envelope or sleeve to protect it from being opened by kids, even though it contains pictures that I believe are inappropriate for young children. What can be done to prevent such… Read more »
Is it okay for a 10th grade English class to read a book that portrays sexual violence?
Q: A very good English teacher at my children’s high school is having her 10th grade students read a book that’s causing quite a stir: “The House of the Spirits,” by Isabel Allende. The book contains some very graphic descriptions of violence, sex, and sexual abuse. The teacher is using the book as a way… Read more »
Studies Recently Added to the CMCH Database of Research
What questions are researchers asking about children, media and health lately? Take a look at some of these studies. Andreassen, C.S., et al. (2012). Development of a Facebook addiction scale. Psychological Reports, 110(2), 501-517. Can you measure addiction to social networking? Is the scale accurate? Baumgartner, S.E., et al. (2012). Identifying teens at risk: Developmental pathways of… Read more »
Should apps be part of a library’s story time?
Q: There is a discussion among children’s librarians about including tablets and apps in story times at the library for children ages 2-5 or even younger. The assumption is that apps can and should be one more type of material that supports early literacy development (vocabulary, narrative skills, letter knowledge, phonological awareness, etc.). Some think that… Read more »
Are reading systems like Tag Junior helpful for toddlers?
Q: My mother-in-law just bought a Tag Junior for my two and a half year old. It feels unnecessary for my son, who already loves books and is learning the alphabet at his own pace through puzzles and songs, etc. Is there any support (beyond that promoted by Leap Frog) for this as a useful… Read more »
Recently Added Studies on Children, Media, and Health
Check out some of the latest studies added to the CMCH Database of Research. Borzekowski, D.L.G., et al. (2010). The role of Kilimani Sesame in the healthy development of Tanzanian preschool children. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 31(4), 298-305. The authors found that children who watched the Tanzanian production of “Sesame Street” exhibited prosocial behaviors,… Read more »