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Dr. Michael Rich, the Mediatrician, and his team of experts are here to help answer all of your media health-related questions. Search our archived questions or ask your own to learn the science-based answers to your most pressing concerns and the practical steps you can take to help you and your family use media mindfully and healthfully.

small child watering indoor plants
How can my kids experience nature during lockdown?
 How can my kids experience nature during lockdown? 1024 443 Mediatrics

Q: I live in a high-rise apartment and am the father of two girls, ages 4 and 7. Before living in lockdown due to COVID-19, the girls and I would play outside nearly every day at a local park, and often…

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Dad working from home with toddler
I’m parenting 4 kids of different ages during the pandemic. How do I help my family balance media-use healthfully in lockdown?
 I’m parenting 4 kids of different ages during the pandemic. How do I help my family balance media-use healthfully in lockdown? 1024 462 Mediatrics

Q: My partner and I are parenting three children (ages 3.5, 6 and 10) while staying with my sister and her family, which includes a 19-year-old college student. We’re all in lockdown as my sister is high-risk for coronavirus. The…

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joker character at mirror
The Joker
 The Joker 959 460 Mediatrics

Q: There’s a lot of hype around the new Joker movie and its portrayal of violence and the potential it has to incite people to act violently. I know it’s a common argument, but given your experience and expertise, do…

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What do I need to know about Slender Man?
 What do I need to know about Slender Man? 750 500 Mediatrics

Q: My 11-year-old daughter was invited to a “Slender Man” themed Halloween party where everyone dresses up as some sort of creepy internet meme, like Slender Man. I thought it was innocent enough, but have recently become concerned after seeing…

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Should I take my eighth grader to see the R-rated movie, Eighth Grade?
 Should I take my eighth grader to see the R-rated movie, Eighth Grade? 750 315 Mediatrics

Q: I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about the new movie, Eighth Grade and my daughter, who is an eighth grader this school year has been asking to see it. I’d like to take her, but am worried and…

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Video Gaming PIMU
How do I know if my tween has “gaming disorder”?
 How do I know if my tween has “gaming disorder”? 750 315 Mediatrics

Es En Espanol Q: I recently read that the World Health Organization has added Gaming Disorder as a mental health diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases and am concerned about my son’s gaming. As soon as he comes home from…

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13 Reasons Why Season 2
Is it ok to let my child watch the second season of 13 Reasons Why?
 Is it ok to let my child watch the second season of 13 Reasons Why? 750 315 Mediatrics

Q: My fourteen-year-old wants to watch the new season of 13 Reasons Why. Although she read the book, I didn’t allow her to watch the first season, given the controversy surrounding its depiction of suicide. I’m thinking that it might…

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Fortnite
What should I know about Fortnite – is it ok for kids to play?
 What should I know about Fortnite – is it ok for kids to play? 750 315 Mediatrics

Q: Can you please offer guidance on Fortnite? It seems to be all that kids 11-14 are doing these days. I do not allow my children to play, but saw my godson play and was horrified – the guns all…

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Smoking in movies
Should I be concerned about my kids seeing smoking scenes in movies?
 Should I be concerned about my kids seeing smoking scenes in movies? 750 315 Mediatrics

Q: I’ve seen news stories about the dangers of kids seeing smoking in movies. I’m a bit confused, as I no longer thought smoking was really an issue, especially in kids’ movies (G, PG, PG-13) and that smoking in general,…

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