Media and the Well-Being of Children and Adolescents brings together many of the field's most important scholars and media professionals to present cutting-edge theory and empirical research on both the benefits and risks to youth development. It examines the role that media play in the every-day lives of young people and their families, and considers both traditional media such as television and movies as well as "new" digital media, such as video games, cell phones, and the Internet.The volume is divided into four parts. Part One provides up-to-date trends on children and adolescents' access to media in the home, as well as the time they spend with television, computers, and the Internet. Part Two presents research that highlights the potentially negative impact of age-inappropriate or excess media use on children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Part Three offers examples of how media enhance children's education, health, and social connections. Part Four explores implications for the creation of high-quality, enriching content that speaks to the needs and interests of young people today.The volume's interdisciplinary perspective acknowledges the many controversies surrounding the effects of media on youth, and offers a balanced view of the challenges and opportunities that media represent for healthy development. The book is intended to be a resource for students and scholars working within education, developmental psychology, public health, and communication. Additionally, it speaks to media professionals who seek to create content that enriches the lives of children and adolescents.

PrefaceThe EditorsChapter 1Media Access and Use in U.S. Homes with Children and AdolescentsAmy Bleakley, Sarah Vaala, Amy Jordan & Dan RomerChapter 2Learning in a Digital Age: Toward a New Ecology of Human DevelopmentLori Takeuchi & Michael LevineChapter 3Examining Media's Impact on Children's WeightDina BorzekowskiChapter 4Demonstrating the Harmful Effects of Food Advertising to Children and AdolescentsJennifer HarrisChapter 5Wassssup? Adolescents, Drugs, and the MediaVictor StrasburgerChapter 6Growing up Sexually in a Digital World: The Risks and Benefits of Youths' Sexual Media UseJane Brown, Sherine El-Toukhy & Rebecca OrtizChapter 7The Positive and Negative Effects of Video Game PlaySara Prot, Craig A. Anderson, Douglas A. Gentile, Stephanie C. Brown, & Edward L. SwingChapter 8Risk and Harm on the InternetSonia LivingstoneChapter 9Technology and Public Health InterventionsMichele YbarraChapter 10Using Media to Aid Children in War, Crisis, and Vulnerable CircumstancesDafna LemishChapter 11Early Learning, Academic Achievement and Children's Digital Media UseEllen Wartella & Alexis LauricellaChapter 12Children's Parasocial RelationshipsSandra Calvert & Melissa RichardsChapter 13Behind the Scenes: Working with Hollywood to Make Positive Social ChangeMarisa NightingaleChapter 14Sesame Workshop's Talk, Listen, Connect: A Multiple Media Resource to Benefit Military Families with Young ChildrenDavid Cohen, Jeannette Betancourt & Jennifer KotlerChapter 15Perspectives on Parenting in a Digital AgeAnne CollierChapter 16ConclusionDan Romer, Amy Jordan & Michael Rich