Introduction:

Media is an innovation that has redefined interactions within

society and the spread of information. However, the effect of media on
childrens health is a widely contested topic. High media usage is
often associated with inactivity, weight gain, sleep deprivation, and
mental disorders.

Given the fact that there is so much negativity surrounding the

rise of media, it is no wonder that parents view the use of media as a
noxious threat on their children (POLICY STATEMENT). While there are
certainly negative aspects surrounding the rise of media, it is also the
case that inaccurate notions regarding medias effect on children are
often promulgated throughout society. As a result, the positive aspects
of media are undermined.

Media is a very powerful tool, but in order to harness its true

potential, further research is necessary to ensure that the negative
effects associated with media are prevented while simultaneously
utilizing media for all of its benefits. With each passing day, media is
growing more prevalent in daily life; this includes the daily life of
children. While some positive research does exist, it is crucial that we
conduct additional research into ways in which media is improving
childrens overall health. More importantly, however, these findings
need to be shared with the public so that we can ease the fears of
millions of parents.

Research that currently exists

Previous research into the effects of media has resulted in

parents attempts to completely remove or severely limit the use of
media from their children.

Taking for example the common practice among adolescents of

using media as a sleep aid. Researchers in Japan compared light
users (individuals who used media less than 2.5 hours before bed)
and heavy users (those who used media more than 3.5 hours before
bed). The results revealed that [o]nly 29.0% of light users
perceived they had insufficient sleep compared to 53.5% of heavy
users. What this translates to is that those children who reported
using music, television, and computer games more often as a sleeping
aid slept fewer hours and were significantly more tired. Even more
significant were the results from a study that showed that [f]or each
additional hour of TV watched on weekends at age 5, the risk of adult
obesity increased by 7%. [cite]. With results like these, it is no
wonder that parents are worried about the amount of time that their
children spend using media.

Unfortunately, these results have lead to the proliferation of

notions regarding media that may seem believable, but research has
disproved. For example, parents often associate media with
detrimental effects on childrens mental states, causing mental
disorders. This was seen in a study conducted by a combination of
psychology departments. The study explained that most people would
assume (and are assuming) that children with ADHD are more
susceptible to harmful effects on cognitive abilities caused by
television. However, after comparing the results of the children with
ADHD to those without it, the study exhibited how the common
assumption was incorrect and cognitive abilities, such as story telling,
were not inhibited by television exposure (DETANGLE). Within the
same research study it was noted how children were affected
differently based on their current developmental stage. This seems to
indicate that age plays a role and should be taken into consideration.
With similar research studies being conducted it is important to
reevaluate medias effects upon children, focusing on positive.

Media is an innovation that has truly redefined interactions

among society and the spread of information. It is a tool often
associated with inactivity and weight gain.
Given that media is growing more prevalent with each passing
day, it is important that we Furthermore, with media growing everyday
it is vital to start concentrating on the new ways that media can help
spread information regarding health has helped spread health
information to children and conduct additional research into how the
mediait is improving childrens overall health. In order to properly
analyze these methods it is important to consider factors, such as age,
that could possibly yield negative results. Finally, it is vital to
understand although research is present there are still factors that
need to be addresses in order to adjust media to its most beneficial
state.
There have been plenty of findings within research such as, For
each additional hour of TV watched on weekends at age 5, the risk of
adult obesity [is] increased by 7%, that associate media usage with
obesity. As well, with media being associated with sleep deprivation
and physical activity displacement it is no question why parents tend
to treat media as a noxious threat (POLICY STATEMENT). While media
definitely has its negative connotation often times the general public
tends to cling to negative accusations that sounds truthful but have
been disproven.
 For example, Parents often associate media with detrimental
effects on childrens mental states, causing mental disorders. This was
seen within a study conducted by a combination of psychology
departments. The study explained most people would assume (and are
assuming) children with ADHD are more susceptible to harmful effects
on cognitive abilities caused by television. However, after comparing
the results of the children with ADHD to those without it, the study
exhibited how the common assumption was incorrect and cognitive
abilities, such as story telling, were not inhibited by television exposure
(DETANGLE). Within the same research study it is noted how different
developmental stages of children could be affected differently which
calls for observations in different ages. With similar research studies
being conducted it is important to reevaluate medias effects upon
children, focusing on positive. Furthermore, with media growing
everyday it is vital to start concentrating on the new ways media has
helped spread health information to children and how it is improving
childrens overall health. In order to properly analyze these methods it
is important to consider factors, such as age, that could possibly yield
negative results. Finally, it is vital to understand although research is
present there are still factors that need to be addresses in order to
adjust media to its most beneficial state.

Age group where media can be most helpful:

For children, the development stages determine a variety of

factors that follow children into adulthood. Children require time in
order to develop cognitive functions that allow them to learn and
interpret what is happening around them. Therefore, it is important to
examine at what age media could possibly be used to heighten
cognitive functions to assist with informational understanding. In a
Longitudinal Analysis of National Data, observing children in age
groups from younger than 3 years old to 5 years old, it was evident
that the only children that benefited from television viewing were those
in the 3 to 5 year old grouping. For those who ranged in ages before 3,
television viewing had unfavorable effects on cognitive development,
such as a decrease in reading comprehension (Childrens Television).
This type of conclusion was also observed in another study observing
babies, 2 years old and younger. Within the study babies were given
different types of media in order to teach them about their surrounding
environment. When those childrens cognitive functions were tested
there were no signs of improvement of recall or awareness. Based on
these and similar findings the study concluded, that infants and very
young children have difficulty understanding the relation between what
they see on a screen and the real world (BABIES). Although baby
media is a popular media trend within the United States it is one that
will do nothing but produce negative or zero results in improving health
education and quality within children. By having this understanding of
child development and awareness more research and more tactics can
be focused on the age groups children can benefit. from the most.

How media can TEACH HEALTH:

With proper age parameters in place it is possible to analyze how

media could be used to teach children about different health topics.
Society is exposed to media everyday and through proper techniques it
could be used as an informational tool that not only informs children,
but additionally the individuals who interact with children. Within a
study conducted by the Parenting and Family Support Centre of The
University of Queensland, a family television series was analyzed to
see the possible behavioral effects on children. The results showed that
the broadcasting of the show could in fact assist in informing, health
and child-care professionals, such as child health nurses, general
practitioners, and teachers about the effective parenting strategies
parents can use to manage problem child behavior. The study
concluded that in viewing this show, families were given more
opportunities to discuss issues with problem children, which resulted
in not having to use therapeutic intervention for behavioral changes.
(The Mass Media and the Prevention of Child Behavior Problems: The
Evaluation of a Television Series to Promote Positive Outcomes for
Parents and Their Children). It is evident the media can be used to
reach children who develop differently in behavior and in health.
Children who develop diseases are often overwhelmed with the onset
of their disease and the lack of knowledge they possess about it.
However, it has been seen within studies how media, such as video
games, could inform children about their disease. For example, within a
randomized trial, researches reviewed a game created for children who
had recently been diagnosed with cancer. The objective of the game
was to educate the children about the different difficulties they might
experience while providing a way for children to feel like they were
fighting back their disease. The game allowed the children to feel
informed while distracting them with an interactive game they
enjoyed. It appears when media is used at the method for health
information spread it is effective and motivational. Another illustration
of this can be seen through the research study conducted by Mohan J.
Dutta of the communications Department of Purdue University. Within
the study, children who learned about health education through
various television programs that promote health were more likely to be
health oriented, instigating healthier choices over those who did not
watch those same programs (Health Information Processing From
Television: The Role of Health Orientation). Through incorporating
health information into media children are given a source of
information that is not only relatable, but also enjoyable and
understandable. As well, by using media techniques children have the
opportunity to experience learning outside the usual classroom setting

How media provides health benefits

With media implementing health education there can be a proper

introduction of how media could possibly contain health benefits. While

most people would argue media does nothing to improve physical

health or benefit the mind, there have been studies conducted that

focus on the health benefits provided by media. Within a 2014 study,

professors within departments of Teaching and Learning and

Kinesiology attempted to study the effects an active educational video

game (AVG) would have on children. The researchers compared

children who learned through interaction with AVG and those who

learned through sedentary educational video games. The results

clearly demonstrated that AVGs included in classrooms could help with

learning new material and could assist children in maintaining a proper

heartbeat and heightened motivation for the task at hand (IMPACT).

Physical health is important, but the development of mental health

such as cognitive functionsgreatly contributes to childrens overall

health as well. Research has shown media is able to affect mental

processes within children. Within the same Longitudinal Analysis

mentioned earlier, there was an analysis of how television could affect

cognitive outcomes. It has been declared by several experimental

studies that have concluded, Children who watch episodes of

educational television, such as Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers

Neighborhood, and Blues Clues, demonstrate improvements in

educational domains immediately afterward." (Childrens Television

Viewing and Cognitive Outcomes After exposure to the game children

became less difficult(less difficult? What does that mean? Better

behavior, something descriptive ) and also more likely to take

treatments that were recommended to them (A Video Game Improves

Behavioral Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: A

Randomized Trial).

What still needs to be done to improve medias affect on

health:

The positive side of media is still in the younger development

stages. There are still factors that need to be discussed and need to

be changed. For examples, children already are watching television,

despite whats on. A challenge from this is not everything being

broadcasted are beneficial programs. (Childrens Television Viewing

and Cognitive Outcomes). This is a problem that rests upon those

implementing media assistance. It is up to the childs caregiver to

make sure media is used appropriately. It has been reported

that(Cant think of how to reword this but not the way to begin. You

use the word reported and then in the first sentence of the quote

they say reported. Doesnt sound good), a longitudinal Swedish

study reports that high achievers used television as a complement

to school learning, whereas low achievers used television as a

substitute for it (Childrens Television Viewing and Cognitive

Outcomes). A factor that will make a big difference (big difference in

what?)is peoples demand for positive uses of the media.

Researchers have already begun to discuss what programs could be

used to discuss. (You use discuss twice in the same sentence. I also

dont understand what you are trying to say. Reword.)There are

researchers who fully believe that the, Media should deliver positive

messages e.g. program to address childhood obesity, to encourage

parents to talk to their pre-adolescent and adolescent children early

and often (Nit-picky but if there is a quote inside of something you

are quoting, that quote only gets apostrophes) about delaying the

onset of sexual activity, anti tobacco message etc (Effect of

electronic media on children).

Conclusion:
 Media does not need to be seen as useless and a waste a time.

With the right guidance and exposure, media can teach early important

lessons to children. Parents, teachers, and caretakers can benefit from

knowing how to use media to help with a childs cognitive and

behavioral issues. However, in order to impact a variety of people, it is

important that more research is done. Media is high in demand

controlled(I dont understand what you mean. Also, I dont believe it is

grammatically correct). As in, what the audience wants the audience

will get. If more people would realize the beneficial outcomes the

media could supply the media would most likely have to answer to that

demand and supply similar output that could lead to more benefits.

The consumer demand could encourage producers. Also, with the rise

of media acceptance (Media acceptance is not a learning tool, the

media is. Maybe With ever increasing media acceptance among

parents and care-givers, media is beginning to be viewed) as a

learning tool more research could be focused on what tools and

concepts could be implemented in order to improve health education

and physical health even more. There are many negative outcomes

that are undeniable but can be fixed or avoided through proper

research and proper establishment. (I dont see how research will fix

obesity or negative health consequences. I think you need to make the

point that it is up to the care-giver to expose children to beneficial

forms, and up to tv producers to make more educational programs.)

 -Children viewing television is a societal norm. With statistics

like, egre, it is important to start opting for more ways media can be

used as a positive teaching and interaction tool that could improve

childrens health.

Works Cited

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http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=486070

Sanders, M. R. (2005). The Mass Media and the Prevention of

Child Behavior Problems: The Evaluation of a Television Series to

Promote Positive Outcomes for Parents and Their Children. Retrieved

September 16, 2016, from

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/1469-

7610.00681/abstract

DeLoache1, J. S., & Chiong1, C. (2010, July 01). Do Babies Learn

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http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/2010/09/27/0956797610384145.

abstract
 Acevedo-Polakovich I, Lorch E, Milich R, Ashby RD (April 2006).

Disentangling the Relation Between Television Viewing and Cognitive

Processes in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and

Comparison Children Retrieved September 15, 2016 from

http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=204832

Dutta, Mohan J. (2007, December 5). Health Information

Processing From Television: The Role of Health Orientation. Retrieveed

September 26, 2016, from

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10410230701283256

Sun, Haichun, Gao, Yong. (June 2016). Impact of an active

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254615000198

Ray, Munni, Jat, Ram Kana. (July 2010). Effect of electronic media

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http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13312-010-0128-9

Kato, Pamela M., Cole, Steve W. (August 2008). A Video Game

Improves Behavioral Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults With

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http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/2/e305