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Media Matters

Fact: By the age of 18, the average American teenager will have seen 200,000 acts of violence on television alone. In prime time, 3 to 5 violent acts are shown per hour. Saturday-morning children's programs contain 20 to 25 acts of violence per hour.

If you find these statistics shocking, you're not alone. Many parents, educators, teens like you, and other experts are increasingly concerned about the negative effects of media images and messages, particularly on children and teens.

These images come not only through television, but also through movies, the Internet, computer games, CDs, music videos, and certain books and magazines.

Facing the Facts

Here are more statistics that reveal the large part media plays in our lives:

  • In one survey, 14- to 16-year-olds said they listen to music an average of 40 hours a week.
  • 75 percent of music videos contain sexually suggestive material. Women are often portrayed in a negative manner.
  • The average American child or teen spends more than 21 hours a week watching television alone.
  • Each year, teens see about 14,000 sexual references and innuendos on television. Only about 150 of these references are about sexual responsibility or abstinence.

Taking Matters into Hand

Research has shown that the media negatively influences kids and teens in various areas of their lives. These areas include substance use and abuse, obesity and dieting, aggressive and violent behavior, sexuality, body image, and the way teens look at themselves.

In response, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has launched a national campaign. Called Media Matters, it is targeted at educating and creating media awareness among doctors, parents, and teens.

The AAP campaign offers a variety of resources and workshops designed to teach ways to understand and deal with the impact of media images and messages on the health and well-being of teens and children.

Teaching Media Literacy

One aim of the AAP is the development of media education programs. These help children and adults become "media literate"-meaning they are able to access, analyze, and evaluate what they see and hear in all forms of media.

A person who is well educated about the media is able to do the following:

  • Limit his or her use of the media.
  • Make positive choices of what media activities to watch or participate in.
  • Choose and enjoy alternatives to media activities. These may include playing sports, writing poetry, working out, or volunteering in the community.
  • Practice critical-thinking skills regarding the messages that are seen and heard in the media.
  • Understand how all forms of media impact their social lives, their culture, and their emotions.

A Household Media Survey

What are the media habits in your home? If you and your family follow a number of the practices below, your family is in line with the recommendations of the AAP

  • Your parent watches TV with you or knows what you are watching.
  • You have house rules on how much TV can be watched.
  • Your parents talk to you about TV shows you watch.
  • You are not allowed to watch R-rated movies or videos.
  • Your parents set limits on the kind of music you can listen to.
  • Your parents discuss music lyrics with you.
  • Your time on the computer and on the Internet is limited.
  • Your parents are familiar with the chat rooms and Web sites you visit.
  • You are not allowed to play computer or video games with violent content.

Just the Facts

  1. Name two areas of teens' lives that are influenced by media images and messages.
  2. What is meant by being "media literate"?
  3. Describe two of the benefits of being well educated about the media.

Beyond the Facts

  1. How many, if any, of the media practices mentioned in the article does your family follow? Do you agree or disagree with any of these practices? Why? If none of them are practiced in your home, do you think they should be? Which ones?
  2. What can you do to get family members more aware of media influences?

Applying the Facts

One way to combat negative media messages is to present positive ones. Write a script for a commercial or public service announcement. The message of your script could be on healthy alternatives to watching television or playing computer games. Your script could be on practicing abstinence, or any topic you choose. Ask if you can read your script over your school's public address system.

Glencoe McGraw-Hill