In a matter of seconds, most children can mimic a movie or TV
character, sing an advertising jingle, or give other examples of what
they have learned from media. Sadly, these examples may include
naming a popular brand of beer, striking a sexy” pose, or play !ghting.
Children only have to put a movie into the VCR, open a magazine, click
on a Web site, or watch TV to experience all kinds of messages. It really
is that easy. Media offer entertainment, culture, news, sports, and
education. They are an important part of our lives and have much to
teach. But some of what they teach may not be what we want children
to learn. This brochure gives an overview of some of the messages
media send young people that could be negative or harmful to their
health. You will learn how you can teach your children to better
understand the media messages they see and hear in print, over
airwaves, on networks, and on-line.
The power of media messagesSometimes you can see the impact of
media right away, such as when your child watches superheros !ghting
and then copies their moves during play. But most of the time the
impact is not so immediate or obvious. It occurs slowly as children see
and hear certain messages over and over, such as the following:
Fighting and other violence used as a way to “handle” conflict Cigarettes
and alcohol shown as cool and attractive, not unhealthy and deadly
Sexual action with no negative results, such as disease or unintended
pregnancyMedia messages: good or bad?Whatever form they take
(ads, movies, computer games, music videos), messages can be good
or bad for your child. Just as you would limit certain foods in your childs
diet that may be unhealthy, you also should limit her media diet of
messages. Some examples of these follow. Use of cigarettes and alcohol
Messages about tobacco and alcohol are everywhere in media. Kids see
characters on screen smoking and drinking. They see signs for tobacco
and alcohol products at concerts and sporting events. Advertising and
movies send kids the message that smoking and drinking make a
person sexy or cool and that “everyone does it.” Advertising also sways
teens to smoke and drink. Teens who see a lot of ads for beer, wine,
liquor, and cigarettes admit that it influences them to want to drink and
smoke. It is not by chance that the three most advertised cigarette
