The wired world of families: Youth, their parents and the media

Executive Summary

Our kids – and parents, too – are exposed to more and more media: Radio, television, games, and the Internet. It’s everywhere: At work, in schools, in our cars, and in our pockets. Our homes are no exception – when’s the last time you recall not turning on the radio, CD player, or TV, to “fill the silence” if nothing else? In the United States, it is estimated that youth aged eight to 18 are spending at least eight hours each day with media.¹ And never forget the ability to multi-task: Your teen may listen to that MP3 player while surfing the Internet, too. This paper chronicles media use and how parents attempt to monitor their kids’ media lives. If the battle appears difficult, take heart: There is evidence that vigilant, intentional efforts on the part of parents do lead to more responsible media use.

Reports show the following approximate usages of different media for kids in the
United States between eight and 19 years of age:

Considered separately, the numbers are not that daunting, but when combined the range of media use is somewhere between five and over nine hours daily. And as if that was not enough: At least one report indicates that about one quarter of children and youth wish they could spend more time playing, surfing, and watching.² In short, if your teen says he doesn’t have time to do his homework, consider turning off even one of the multiple media sources.

Download the study in its entirety below