Media education has the potential to reduce the harmful effects of media.
By understanding and supporting media education, pediatricians can play an important role in reducing the risk of exposure to mass media for children and adolescents. AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics. The potential benefits that media offer are clear, from selected educational television programs to thought-provoking magazine articles, to the creativity and knowledge encouraged through computer use. However, pediatricians are increasingly aware of negative media influence on children and adolescents. Five recently published AAP statements summarize the available research about the effects of media on young people and encourage media education for parents and children as an approach to mitigating potentially harmful effects.