Technology and Media: An Introduction

The world we live in is a very different place from the world today’s parents grew up in—your child is exposed to an incredible amount of media through many different technologies that didn’t exist when you were growing up. But it’s up to parents to help teach kids to navigate their world by being knowledgeable, involved, compassionate, and curious about how their children socialize and get information through the latest technology.

Did You Know?

• Thirty-eight percent of youth surveyed in grades 6 through 12 watch TV three or more hours every day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids watch a maximum of two hours of high-quality programming a day.
• Overexposure to electronic media (whether through TV, the Internet, video games, or other technology) can introduce and desensitize kids to excessive violence, explicit sexual activity that is inappropriate for their age, and other harmful messages.¹

Technology is advancing at an incredible rate, and it can be overwhelming trying to familiarize yourself with new ways that it affects your kids’ lives. Fortunately, the guidelines for keeping kids safe and healthy haven’t changed much from when your parents were worrying about you. You still have a great deal of influence in your child’s life, and you can help them make good decisions about technology and media.