The Mass Media and American Adolescents’ Health

Citation

Brown, Jane D. & Witherspoon, Elizabeth M. (2002). The Mass Media and American Adolescents' Health. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31(6 Suppl. 1), 153-170.

Abstract

American teens today grow up in a world saturated with the mass media. In general, the media depict a world in which unhealthy behaviors such as physical aggression, unprotected sex, smoking, and drinking are glamorous and risk-free. We summarize what is known about the media's effects on four adolescent health issues that have been studied most comprehensively: violence and aggression; sex; obesity, nutrition, and eating disorders; and alcohol and tobacco use. A number of approaches that have potential for helping turn the media into more positive forces for adolescents' health are discussed

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1054-139x(02)00507-4

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2002

Journal Title

Journal of Adolescent Health

Author(s)

Brown, Jane D.
Witherspoon, Elizabeth M.