Center on Media and Child Health

Connections in News, Media, and Research: National Library Week

April 14-20 is National Library Week. It's a time to promote a love of reading in your family, talk to your lawmakers about supporting library services, and visit your local library to see how else they support child and adolescent development beyond books. Incidentally, April 16 is National Library Day, and all of April is also School Library Month. Is that enough reasons to make sure your library card isn't expired? Here is some research, news, and resources relating to libraries and child health.

• The American Library Association is the head organization that advocates for library services all over the United States. For those working with children, the Association of Library Service to Children is well worth looking at, and those who specialize in adolescent medicine or otherwise work with teens would do well to get to know the Young Adult Library Services Association, both divisions of the ALA.
• Want to know exactly what libraries do for children, teens, and families? Take a look at Add It Up.
• The Mediatrician has answered many parent questions about reading levels, e-readers, and more. Take a look.
• This 2010 case study looked at how bibliotherapy was an effective treatment for a hospitalized 2-year-old. And remember, stories don't just have to be read - this study found that audiobooks are a great way to help children with dyslexia.
• Want to get a little meta with media? Here's  a look at 16 favorite movie moments of real and imagined libraries.
• Remember, "library" doesn't just mean "Carnegie building with novels." There are special libraries, legal libraries, cultural archives, and, of course, medical libraries. For a look at the best of the best (when you're looking beyond the media focus of our own library, that is), check out the National Library of Medicine and the Public Library of Science. Remember, when looking for resources, the local public library you think of as a beautiful old building with tons of stacks likely also offers you free access to expensive resources where you can keep abreast of all of the latest research in any field.
• This 2008 study looked at the reading behaviors of 15-year-olds and found that gender plays a role.
• If you are interested in knowing the newest data and information about young Americans and their reading and library habits, definitely bookmark the Pew Internet Libraries page.
• Above all, public libraries are civic institutions that promote community and self-edification. And that doesn't mean having to set foot in them physically. Most libraries today have strong online presences, from websites to Pinterest accounts to Twitter accounts, offering expanded services, up-to-the-minute news on new collections, closures, and special events, and more. Why is that important for children and teens? Consider that teens who use media in civic ways (reading the news, signing petitions, etc) are also more likely to be involved in their communities (says a 2010 study), and teens who are exposed to news media are more likely to be civically engaged (from a 2009 study).

How are you observing National Library Week? Let us know!

Connections in News, Media, and Research: Women's History Month

March is celebrated as Women's History Month. Before the end of the month, we wanted to share with you some interesting research, news, and media relating to women's health, gender stereotypes, and more.

• March is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and often these two issues go hand in hand. Take a look at this analysis of dating in Twilight, this 2011 study on how viewing media depictions of violence influences aggression, and an article on how teen girls' magazines frame stories of dating violence around the female victims.
• This report from Hollywood.com looks at how few women directors there are in Hollywood, and how many fewer get recognized. Did you know only four women have ever been nominated for a Best Director Oscar, and only one (Kathryn Bigelow, 2009, The Hurt Locker) has ever won?
• A recent panel at SXSW discussed the propensity of woman-owned media outlets that call Millennial and older women "girls" and wax poetic about kittens and cupcakes. Is it demeaning to women? A reclaiming of a term and new definition? How do you think this might influence today's young girls and teens as they grow into adults?
• Looking for some age-appropriate reading for your whole family to do? Check out Kidlit Celebrates Women's History Month for book suggestions and literature discussion.
• Are you caught up on CMCH's other blog, Ask the Mediatrician? Check out some of the past posts that have dealt with gender: talking to girls about media and body image, marketing pink toys to girls, slut lists, and more.
• Take a look at feminist scholar and critic Anita Sarkeesian's video (and transcripts) series "Tropes vs. Women," which unpacks stereotypical female characters in movies, television, and video games.
• By the way, if you think it's only parents who notice that toy marketing is especially gendered, take a look at this little girl schooling her father on gender double standards.

How did you observe Women's History Month this year?

Connections in News, Media, and Research: Teen Tech Week Edition

March 10-16 we celebrate Teen Tech Week, an initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association. Read more about Teen Tech Week here, and keep reading to learn about some research, news, and cool resources for encouraging digital literacy and creativity.

• Tweeting about Teen Tech Week to share your tips or ask some questions? Use the hashtag #ttw13.
• This virtual "quilt" of links will take you to some great websites that will help your teens learn how to code, create their own comics, or publish their writing.
• Media and technology can be powerful educational tools. Consider this study on how teens use technology to communicate about schoolwork, this study on how a video game encouraged tweens to change their diets for the better, and this study on how combining a traditional lecture with an educational game led to increased understanding of school subject matter.
• Want to celebrate Teen Tech Week with younger children? Check out the Association for Library Service to Children's Great Websites for Kids page or the Best Websites for Teaching and Learning page from the American Association of School Librarians.
• The key to all media and technology is positive use, which includes moderation. Take a look at this illuminating article on emotional intelligence and Instagram.
• How much do you know about Internet security? Test yourself by trying out How Secure Is My Password.
• Teens with technology skills and a global outlook should consider entering this contest sponsored by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization of Migration. By creating a video about global themes and social justice, winners can make an impact, learn some skills, and win a free trip to New York.
• Gamers can take their expertise and apply it to building an entirely new game on this website.
• The Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment, or VIA, is a CMCH project that puts cameras into the hands of young people living with chronic disease. Their video diaries not only allow them to express themselves, but they also inform doctors of what it's really like to live with certain conditions. Learn more about the study results and outcomes here and here.

What are you doing to celebrate Teen Tech Week?

Connections in News, Media, and Research: Eating Disorders Awareness Week

From February 24 to March 2, we observe Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Here is some news, research, and media on the subject.

• National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is sponsored by the National Eating Disorders Association. You can learn about them here.
• Have you heard of "pro-ana" websites? User-generated and maintained web communities, pro-anorexia sites offer encouragement and tips for those suffering from eating disorders to continue their habits. Check out a 2007 study on functions of such websites and a 2006 study that looked at which adolescents use these sites.
• "Recovery is absolutely possible, and with a supportive, loving family member like you on her side, the light at the end of the tunnel shines a little brighter," says an advice columnist to a girl worried that her sister has an eating disorder. Older girls give advice to younger girls on weight, body image, eating, and more on teen e-mag Rookie. 
• Consider taking a look at teen and children's fiction about eating disorders and body image for some new perspectives on the issue. For contemporary takes, recent titles include Butter by Erin Jade Lange (YA), Skinny by Donna Cooner (YA), and Perfect by Natasha Friend (middle grade). Some classic titles include Judy Blume's Blubber (middle grade), Fat Camp Commandoes by Daniel Pinkwater (middle grade), and Life in the Fat Lane (YA) by Cherie Bennett. You can also take a look at the Young Adult Library Services Association's blog post in honor of this week.
• Research in 2006 pointed to media literacy interventions as having a great positive effect on college-aged women's body image and eating disorder risk.
• Often people point to the images of women in the media as a huge contributor to eating disorders and body dissatisfaction. A 2006 study found that girls who were more interested in fashion images had higher body dissatisfaction than those interested in fitness images, while a 2003 study considered what these images of females say to boys and what they say to girls.
• Based on the comments on YouTube, R&B trio TLC's music video for "Unpretty" still hits a nerve with its honest lyrics about body and self image. 
• A literary magazine consisting completely of teen work since 1989, Teen Ink has published personal narratives of teens who have experienced eating disorders, including this essay on beating it.

Do you have resources or stories to share in honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Week? Let us know.

Connections in News, Media, and Research: World Cancer Day Edition

In observance of World Cancer Day, February 4, we have gathered together some interesting studies, news, and media that have to do with child health and cancer.

• A 2012 study looked at how young adult cancer survivors used a video-sharing program to cope and share experiences and found that teens were more likely to use it if they did not have similar outlets in their offline lives.
• Bestselling YA author John Green's latest novel, The Fault in Our Stars, is about teens dealing with friends, family, and crushes, just like anyone else. But they also have cancer. And Green is not the only author providing real life teens with fictional counterparts to stand in for themselves, their friends, or their family; other recent novels for and about teens with cancer include Tiffany Schmidt's Send Me A Sign, Sarah Wylie's All These Lives, Janet Gurtler's I'm Not Her, and Francisco X. Stork's The Last Summer of the Death Warriors. These novels might be useful for bibliotherapy, book clubs, or family reading.
• Researchers in Israel investigated the proposed link between cell phone usage and cancer. They found that there was a statistically significant decrease in low-grade gliomas over the past 30 years.
• It is now well documented that many things in the environment lead to increased cancer risk. This new report from the EPA looks at contaminants, biomonitoring, and health outcomes.
• In 2010, researchers looked at whether adolescent cancer patients would learn more about their health from a CD-ROM than a traditional book. They found that there was some more adherence to guidelines and treatments when patients used this method.
• What do you get when you cross mommy blogs, childhood cancer, and country-popstar Taylor Swift? In this case, a heartwarming story about a song Swift wrote in honor of a mother who lost her child to cancer. Swift also donated proceeds of the song sales to various cancer charities.
• If bibliotherapy is not for you, consider music therapy. Take a look at this 2002 study that looked at the effects of interactive music therapy on child cancer patients.

Do you have any resources or links to share that might help patients, families, or doctors dealing with family members with cancer?

Research, News and Resources for Dealing With Tragedy

We at CMCH were deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. We thought it might be helpful to provide you with links to research, words of peace, and helpful resources for helping children and families cope with tragic circumstances and violent acts.

• CMCH's sister blog, Ask the Mediatrician, published a new Q&A about the shooting. Read it here. You might also want to check the posting after the Aurora, CO, shooting.
• CMCH's director, Michael Rich, MD, MPH, was one of the experts featured on 90.9 WBUR's resource list for talking about the Sandy Hook shooting. He was also on the NECN morning show to talk about the aftermath of the event.
• News shows that memberships in the National Rifle Association have grown significantly since the days of the shooting, and gun sales have spiked as well.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics stated that "we must engage in a national dialogue designed to reduce children’s detrimental exposure to violence in their communities, environments and entertainment" in an open letter to President Obama following the shooting.
• Research available in the CMCH database include experiments using relaxation techniques to cope with negative events broadcast on the news and studies on how children reacted to the September 11 tragedies depending on their news exposure. Keep in mind also that people of different cultural backgrounds react differently to stressful, sad events, and no one way of coping works for everyone.
• The AAP also noted that one of the ways to help children deal with tragedy is not to deviate from normal routines. 
• Because media can be healing when used in positive ways, librarians have started the Books Heal Hearts initiative, soliciting donations of materials that can help the Newtown community deal with their great loss.
• Healthy Children has an article on how to talk to children about the tragedy.

We extend our deepest sympathies and support to those affected by this tragic event.

Connections in News, Media, and Research: World AIDS Day Edition

December 1st is World AIDS Day, but the awareness month continues until the new year. Here is some news and research on media and its connections with sexual health, STI/STD prevention, and sexual health literacy.

• Take a look at the official World AIDS Day website, with statistics, videos, event listings, and more. Did you know it was the first global health day?
• Why is this an important day to recognize, especially for CMCH? Research shows that the numbers of young people infected with HIV are growing, and around 60% of these teens don't even know they are affected, meaning that they miss out on healthcare and could pass HIV on to new partners. For us, that means that it's ever more important to teach health literacy, using a variety of methods - including meda - to get vital messages across.
• If you're curious about how sexual activity is portrayed in fictional media like novels, movies, and television shows, we have some research in our database. Here is an analysis of sexual activity content in young adult novels. A 2011 study looked at whether exposure to sex on TV varied by show genre. In 2010, researchers asked teens for their judgment on sexual content in television shows, and in 2009 researchers looked at whether viewing sexual content on television was related to a lower fear of contracting AIDS.
• You don't have to be an adult to care about teens and health literacy. Take a look at this blog post by a 17-year-old writer on why it's important to get tested for HIV. That same writer also wrote another post linking to a video on touring reproductive health clinics in order to lower fears and stigma associated with such visits.
• Many healthcare providers have been experimenting with using new media to engage with adolescents and encourage preventive sexual health practices. Here's a study on computer-based interventions targeting teens in rural areas, and this study looked at the efficacy of similar programs. There is also a texting-based prevention program. And what do you think of this much older (1990) method, an AIDS comic book?
• In this study, teens themselves took the lead on teaching their peers about media representations of sex.
• For more global perspectives on HIV/AIDS prevention, take a look at these studies based in Brazil, Uganda, Jamaica, and a global initiative with a study based in Nepal, Brazil, and Senegal.
• Rookie is an online teen magazine (and huge phenomenon) started by a teenage girl and featuring adult and teen contributors. It's a great way for teen girls to teach and converse with each other about sexual health issues, empowerment, and concerns. Take a look at some of these great posts: 1, 2, and 3.

To look at more research on the effects of media on child and adolescent health, check out the free CMCH Database of Research.

World Television Day

Today is World Television Day, a UN-recognized observance day. The UN recognizes television as a tool for global communication and as a method for shining light on conflict and peace, as well as other economic and social issues. CMCH observes World Television Day 2012 by highlighting some of the studies in our database on television watching in children and teens.

• A 2012 study assessed teens' motivations for watching reality television and found that the viewers sought entertainment, compelling characters, realism, humor, and competition most.
• Researchers in Germany took a look at media violence and its connections with aggression in teens. They then followed it with a media literacy intervention.
• A 2009 study looked at whether mass media use increased youth social capital or led to pessimism.
• What happens when children view media about real-world violence? Researchers looked at parental mediation after a violent news event and found that kids who were used to watching news media coped better with the aftermath of viewing coverage of an assassination.
• Engagement with media can sometimes lead to more civic engagement. A 2011 study looked at connections between adolescents' use of news media, parent mediation, and civic participation.
• What areas of children and Internet use are most covered in news media? This 2009 study compared news coverage in European nations.

Looking for more studies on children, media, and health? Check the CMCH database.

Connections in News, Media, and Research: Alcohol Awareness Week Edition

Today begins Alcohol Awareness Week, so we're highlighting news, innovation, and research related to our mission of healthy media use by children and adolescents.

• There is a lot of research on how alcohol is represented in media for teens, especially movies and music videos. Take a look at some of the most recently published content analyses and studies here: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• A recent episode of the comedy "Modern Family" (ABC) caused quite a stir when one of the characters was expelled from college for underage drinking. From Twitter to parenting blogs, people were asking questions like whether expulsion was legal, whether the episode was a teaching moment for teens, and whether it was plausible storytelling. You can read a summary of the episode here, and you can follow some community conversation in the blogosphere here. And if you'd like to see how that plays out in the real world, look at this study on media coverage of celebrity DUIs.
• For government resources on alcohol abuse and media literacy,  you can look at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) newsletter or the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) newsletter.
• Nobody can legally sell alcohol to U.S. minors under the age of 21, but that doesn't stop them from advertising in venues read, passively seen, or watched by teens. Check out some of the many studies on alcohol advertising in the database: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• Teens in Oregon have taken alcohol abuse prevention into their own hands and created their own anti-drinking ads. You can check some of them out here.
• For international perspectives, take a look at a study about teens in European countries, where drinking culture and legal age vary drastically from in the U.S.

Remember, if you're looking for more research, whether on alcohol or on any other health issue, you can check the CMCH Database of Research.

Connections in News, Media, and Research: World Diabetes Day Edition

Today CMCH recognizes World Diabetes Day. While this serious disease is growing at alarming rates due to higher rates of obesity, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles, there is, thankfully, lots of media attention and research dedicated to learning more about it and combatting its causes and effects.

• World Diabetes Day is an initiative of the International Diabetes Federation. You can read about today and the group's other projects and resources here.
• Along with other researchers, CMCH Director Dr. Michael Rich did a study on diabetic teens in which the teens were given a chance to make videotapes about their lives and experiences with the illness. You can read about the study here, or you can learn all about the VIA project and its other subjects here.
• Obesity leads to diabetes, and obesity rates are not blind to race, class, or ethnicity. In response to the data that African American and Latina/o teens are more likely to be obese than their peers of other backgrounds, USC researcher Donna Spruijt-Metz developed a mobile monitoring system for those teens that can be worn inobtrusively in order to take readings throughout the day on various vital signs and physical activity levels. The data was then sent back to the wearers with tips and summaries. In the focus group of 12 teens, Spruijt-Metz found that they had positive feelings about the devices. A similar project in 2008 looked at a text messaging service for adolescents already suffering from diabetes.
• The trend these days is to develop active games, or exergames, to encourage video game users and sedentary children and teens to get moving. But do they actually increase physical activity and improve health? CMCH has gathered research on the topic, including two studies from this year: 1, 2.
• Diabetes can sometimes be avoided or managed with a healthy diet, but it's hard to make that seem fun or feasible to all young people and families. With busy schedules, salaries that just won't stretch, and mixed messages from the media, it can be difficult to get started on that path. However, there are many magazines and websites for kids, teens, and families dedicated to cooking together and learning about where your food comes from. Check out Chop Chop Magazine, Ingredient magazine, CookingTeens.com, or KickinKitchen TV for great ideas to get started. With that in mind, take a look at this article on Readers to Eaters, an initiative that promotes food literacy as a road to good health and academic achievement.
• If you'd like to take a look at special populations and specific factors that can lead to diabetes or overweight, take a look at this study on American Indian and Alaska Native youth or this study on correlations between screen time and metabolic risk factors.

Have you found any other research or press that is acknowledging World Diabetes Day? Let us know!