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Teens

Teen Social Media Body Image
I’m a seventh grader doing a project on how social media use affects body image – what does the research show?
 I’m a seventh grader doing a project on how social media use affects body image – what does the research show? 750 315 Mediatrics

Q: I am a 7th grader working on an independent research project about whether using social media can be addictive and how using social media affects adolescent girls’ body image. What does the scientific research show? And how can I learn more about this? ~ Scrutinizing Social Media, Wellesley, MA Dear Scrutinizing, As a seventh grader,…

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Three teen girls looking at a fashion magazine
What Can I do to Protect My Kids from Seeing Inappropriate Fashion Catalogues?
 What Can I do to Protect My Kids from Seeing Inappropriate Fashion Catalogues? 750 315 Mediatrics

Q: I recently received the Spring 2015 Catalog from the department store Barneys New York. The catalog was sent to my house without any envelope or sleeve to protect it from being opened by kids, even though it contains pictures that I believe are inappropriate for young children. What can be done to prevent such…

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Facebook Suicide Teen
What should I know about the relationship between social media and suicide?
 What should I know about the relationship between social media and suicide? 750 250 Mediatrics

Q: Yesterday one of my daughter’s friends committed suicide. She was a sophomore in college. I am saddened and angry. I went to the girl’s Facebook page and saw that she had 1,194 friends. All of her pictures show her with an impossibly bright smile. Her wall is full of messages sounding like, “I know…

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hands texting
Should I worry about my teens texting, or is it similar to the time I spent talking to my friends on the phone when I was their age?
 Should I worry about my teens texting, or is it similar to the time I spent talking to my friends on the phone when I was their age? 750 250 Mediatrics

Q: I’ve noticed that many parents worry a lot about their children texting. But when we were kids, we would spend hours on the phone, sometimes not even talking much. When my teens are texting with friends at home, I liken it to those phone calls of yesteryear. I don’t allow texting during family meals…

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Media Education Literacy
Are there studies demonstrating that media education benefits children/teens?
 Are there studies demonstrating that media education benefits children/teens? 750 250 Mediatrics

Q: Our school is considering adding media education to the curriculum, but some board members want “evidence” of its benefit. Can you recommend any studies that clearly demonstrate that media education helps children/teens? – Reaching for Research, USA A: Dear Reaching, You are right to want to have media education (often called media literacy education)…

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Mediatrician Family Movie Tips 2014
The Mediatrician’s Holiday Tips for Making the Most out of Family Movie Time
 The Mediatrician’s Holiday Tips for Making the Most out of Family Movie Time 750 250 Mediatrics

It’s that time of year once again when school vacations and holidays bring many friends and family together. It can also be a great time to continue or start a tradition of cozying up on the couch, or going out as a group to watch a movie. This year, theaters are offering movie versions of…

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Boys playing DS
I’m part of a mom’s group that discusses family media management – How should I answer questions about whether or not to expose kids to video games?
 I’m part of a mom’s group that discusses family media management – How should I answer questions about whether or not to expose kids to video games? 750 250 Mediatrics

Q: I am part of a moms’ group that puts on monthly parent meetings in an effort to educate parents about the issues surrounding screen time in the home. In our next meeting, we will be focusing on video gaming, and I would like your advice on how to handle the inevitable parental question: “If…

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First Person Shooter Games
I’m 14-years old and don’t like playing first-person shooter games like my friends – what should I do?
 I’m 14-years old and don’t like playing first-person shooter games like my friends – what should I do? 750 250 Mediatrics

Q: I am 14 years old, and currently debating my choice of friends. They all play first-person shooter (FPS) games, while I choose other kinds of games. They often tell me how great their games are but criticize mine. When they clamor for the new Call of Duty, I freak out over the new Sonic…

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teen boy using laptop
My 14-year-old no longer wants me to monitor his social media – what should I do?
 My 14-year-old no longer wants me to monitor his social media – what should I do? 750 250 Mediatrics

Q: My 14-year-old son recently told me that he wants more privacy and no longer wants to allow me to check his text messages, Instagram, and emails. He claims that he needs more freedom and independence as he is growing up and feels as though my checking his social media is an invasion of his…

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Should I let my 13-year-old stream his Call of Duty gameplay?
 Should I let my 13-year-old stream his Call of Duty gameplay? 750 250 Mediatrics

Q: My 13-year-old son began playing Call of Duty at home beginning in January of this year. We monitor his gaming and have him turn it off after a certain amount of time. He is now asking to “stream” with one of his favorite online players who does this on YouTube regularly. I am concerned…

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