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Teens

Aren’t the lessons in violent or sexual media damaging regardless of how graphic they are?
 Aren’t the lessons in violent or sexual media damaging regardless of how graphic they are? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 10 & 12-year-old children want to go to PG-13 and R rated movies with their friends, but I don’t think the sexual innuendo and violence “goes over their heads” – does it?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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My teen daughter is addicted to TV. Please help!
 My teen daughter is addicted to TV. Please help! 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I have a daughter who just turned 15 and is truly addicted to watching TV. I try to impose limits, but she refuses. Please help. Answer by Dr. Michael Rich, the Mediatrician

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Can I blame the “Slut List” on all the sex in the media?
 Can I blame the “Slut List” on all the sex in the media? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I’ve been hearing about the high school in NJ where older girls are putting freshman girls’ names on a “slut list”—and the worst part is that being on the list is considered a good thing! I can’t help thinking that all the sex in the media is to blame for girls thinking it’s a badge of honor, but maybe I’m overreacting. I want to talk to my 13 year old daughter about this, but what should I say?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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How can we help our teen son manage media so they don’t interfere with his life?
 How can we help our teen son manage media so they don’t interfere with his life? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Texting, cruising the Internet, and Facebooking are interfering with my son’s academic goals. What facts and tips can you share that will help my wife and me and, ultimately, our son learn to manage media wisely?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Do violent and sexual media affect suburban kids’ attitudes toward sex?
 Do violent and sexual media affect suburban kids’ attitudes toward sex? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Can a weekly diet of violent and sexual media for teens from good families affect their attitudes and behaviors when they’re in college, contributing to the high numbers of college sexual assaults?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Is there anything wrong with cutting out electronic media completely?
 Is there anything wrong with cutting out electronic media completely? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My parents didn’t have a TV in the house when I was growing up and I didn’t get a stereo until I was a teenager. We read and played outside and I didn’t think I was deprived as a kid. It seems like what is out there now, in terms of violence, sex, and taking risks, is far worse than when I was a kid. Is there anything wrong with just cutting out electronic media completely from my kids’ lives?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Why do different kids respond differently to media violence?
 Why do different kids respond differently to media violence? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My boys, now 15 & 17, are so different. I’ve noticed that my two kids can watch the same violent programs and, depending on each child’s nature, they respond differently. Is it true that after viewing violent programs, some children will behave more aggressively while some children become more fearful? If yes, can you explain how that happens? Any chance that some children are not affected at all?
Answer from Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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How do Facebook and Twitter affect social skills?
 How do Facebook and Twitter affect social skills? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: We feel “webbed out” of our teenage son’s electronic social life. Are you aware of studies tracking the psychological impact that technologies like Facebook and Twitter have on developing “normal” social skills?

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Will video games cause seizures in my children?
 Will video games cause seizures in my children? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: The manual for my teenage son’s favorite video game contains a warning that says that some games cause seizures and that parents should watch for seizure symptoms or ask their children if they’ve experienced any symptoms while playing. I can’t monitor every minute of game play, and if I asked my son about it, I’m not sure he would admit any symptoms to anything he thought might lead me to limit his game time. How worried should I be?

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Is it okay for my kids to fall asleep in front of the TV?
 Is it okay for my kids to fall asleep in front of the TV? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My children like to watch TV before bed, and they often fall asleep while it’s still on. I have a feeling that that’s not good for them, but I’m not sure why. Can you offer any guidance?

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