PSY FPX 6030 Assessment 2 The Impact of Media Use on Adolescents

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 6030 Adolescent Psychology

Prof. Name

Date

The Impact of Media Consumption on Adolescent Development

Adolescents in the modern era are immersed in a plethora of media forms from infancy, significantly shaping their daily experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated this dependency, as reliance on digital devices for education, communication, and entertainment surged during periods of lockdown. Concurrently, there was a notable increase in social media engagement. This pervasive exposure to media prompts an examination of its implications on adolescents’ social development.

Frissen and Eggermont (2016) highlight that adolescents spend approximately 11 hours per day engaging with various media, including television, video games, tablets, and smartphones. Extensive research indicates that heightened media usage significantly impacts adolescents’ social and psychological development, influencing their perceptions of the social world and self-identity (Frissen & Eggermont, 2016). These developmental transitions often coincide with Erikson’s Identity Development Stage, occurring between ages 10 and 14, where media and technology act as facilitators in the journey towards adult identity, functioning as transitional objects for adolescents (Frederick et al., 2014).

Moreover, empirical evidence suggests a correlation between increased media consumption and negative outcomes such as childhood and adolescent obesity, loneliness, and depression (Coyne et al., 2014). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting screen time to two hours or less per day, with a particular emphasis on avoiding screens in the bedroom due to their detrimental effects on sleep quality and academic performance (Hill et al., 2016).

Despite the potential benefits of media use, it is crucial to strike a balance and regulate exposure, especially among children and adolescents. In this regard, our organization advocates for the adoption of Family Media Use Plans, in line with AAP guidelines. Through collaborative efforts to establish routines and guidelines for media consumption, families can cultivate healthy media habits that promote optimal adolescent development.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Family Media Plan. HealthyChildren.Org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx

Coyne, S. M., Padilla-Walker, L. M., Fraser, A. M., Fellows, K., & Day, R. D. (2014). “Media Time = Family Time.” Journal of Adolescent Research, 29(5), 663–688. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558414538316

Frissen, T., & Eggermont, S. (2016). Adolescence and the Media. Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199756841-0101

PSY FPX 6030 Assessment 2 The Impact of Media Use on Adolescents

Hill, D., Ameenuddin, N., Chassiakos, Y. R., Cross, C., Radesky, J., Hutchinson, J., Levine, A., Boyd, R., Mendelson, R., Moreno, M., & Swanson, W. S. (2016, November 1). Media Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/138/5/e20162592/60321/Media-Use-in-School-Aged-Children-and-Adolescents