Media & Youth: A Developmental Perspective provides a comprehensive review and critique of the research and theoretical literature related to media effects on infants, children, and adolescents, with a unique emphasis on development.

• The only textbook to evaluate the role of development in media effects research, filling a gap in the subject of children and media
• Multiple forms of media, including internet use, are discussed for a comprehensive view of the subject
• Developmental points of interest are highlighted at the end of each section to reinforce the importance of development in media effects research
• Children’s cognitive, social, and emotional abilities from pre-school to adolescence are integrated into the text for greater clarity

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Media & Youth: A Developmental Perspective provides a thorough review and critique of the media effects research conducted on infants, children, and adolescents. 

Throughout their development, youths vary cognitively, emotional, physically, and socially. In taking a developmental perspective, the theories and research throughout the book effectively reflect these variations.  This approach results in far greater clarity in understanding the effects of media on youth as a result of age and developmental status.  

Kirsh offers a unique and wide-ranging overview of this fascinating subject, addressing the crucial issues of how much media youth consume and why; the positive and negative impacts of varying media across development; the theories behind the impact of media on youth, and what can be done to reduce the harmful consequences associated with media consumption. Each chapter ends with a section on developmental points of interest; these sections place the empirical findings, underlying theory, and suggestions for future research discussed in that chapter within the context of developmental change.

This textbook is of primary interest to those teaching courses on, and studying, media effects and children in the areas of Psychology and Communication.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

1. Media in the Lives of Youth.

A Brief History of the Perceived Power of the Media.

Investigating Media Effects Across Development.

Media Ownership Across Development.

Media Consumption Across Development.

Why Youth Consume Media.

Developmental Points of Interest.

2. Media Effect Theories.

Socialization and Theory.

Hypodermic Needle or Magic Bullet Theory.

Excitation Transfer.

Cultivation Perspective.

Priming.

Social Learning and Social Cognitive Theory.

Script Theory.

Universal Media Model.

Developmental Points of Interest.

3. Media and Academic Effects.

Is Media Consumption Detrimental to Academic Achievement?

The Benefits of Educational Media.

Music and Academic Achievement: Myth or Reality?

Developmental Points of Interest.

4. The Medical and Social Benefits of Media Use.

Pain Reduction Through Media-Based Distraction.

Additional Medical Benefits of Video Game Play and Virtual Reality.

The Behavioral Benefits of Prosocial Media.

The Psychological Benefits of the Internet.

Developmental Points of Interest.

5. Advertising, Consumer Behavior, and Youth.

Consumer Behavior Across Development.

Advertisements That Target Youth.

Advertisements That Are Not Supposed to Target Youth but Most Likely Do.

Developmental Points of Interest.

6. Media and Stereotyping.

The Nature of Stereotypes.

Stereotypes in the Media That Youth Consume.

Developmental Points of Interest.

7. Media Influences on Obesity, Body Image, and Eating Disorders.

Media Consumption and Body Weight.

Body Image and Media.

Thin-Ideal Media and Eating Disorders in Females.

Lean Muscularity and Muscle Dysmorphia in Males.

Developmental Points of Interest.

8. The Role of Media in Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use.

Prevalence of Cigarette, Alcohol, and Drug (CAD).

Use Across Development.

Outcomes Associated With Adolescent CAD Use.

Perceptions of CAD Use.

Prevalence of Substance Use in the Media.

Effects of Substance Use in the Media.

Developmental Points of Interest.

9. Media and the Sexualization and Sexual.

Socialization of Youth.

Sexualization and Sexual Socialization.

Sexual Media.

The Effects of Viewing Sexual Media on Adolescents.

Developmental Points of Interest.

10. Violent Media Part 1: Comic Books, Music, and Video Games.

A Brief Primer on Aggression.

Violent Comic Books.

Music Violence.

Violent Video Games.

Developmental Points of Interest.

11. Violent Media Part 2: Traditional Screen Media.

Violence in Traditional Screen Media.

Factors That Influence the Perception of Violence.

The Effects of On-Screen Violence on Youth.

Developmental Points of Interest.

12. Media Effects: Magnitude, Risk, and Media Literacy.

Meta-Analysis.

Risk, Protective, and Beneficial Factors.

Reducing the Negative Effects of Media Through Media.

Literacy.

Developmental Points of Interest.

References.

Index.