Health Leader, Over Exposed? Teens, Sex & Mass Media

STORY BY

Jacqueline Preston

It's the stuff that soap operas and talk shows are made of. It creeps into women's magazines and our computers. Or it blatantly commandeers video games, movies, music and even our family sitcoms during a ratings war. Sex is everywhere. And yes, our children are watching and listening.

As you frantically switch channels when your teenager walks in during "Sex and the City," you can't help but wonder: Is sexual activity on TV making my 13-year-old think about doing it? And worse: Do they know the difference between fact and fiction?

Researchers at The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston had the same questions, which led to a new report comprised of information from various scientific studies on the subject.

Little research, but a good start

The report, Impact of the Media on Adolescent Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors, is the most comprehensive review of research examining the impact of sexual imagery in the media on youth. The report revealed some sobering findings.

"Sadly, we found very few studies on the subject that showed a link between media exposure and adolescent sexual behavior," says the study's principal investigator Dr. Liliana Escobar-Chaves, faculty associate at the UT School of Public Health. "The only thing we are sure of is that our kids are overexposed to sex, and they can't escape it."

One recent major study showed that youth were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse after watching sex on TV. "Although it's a very important finding, we need further investigation on the link between media exposure and certain sexual behaviors," she adds.

A responsible media is a good media

Let's face it, sex sells. And it's not just found on premium cable channels or R-rated movies. It has made its way to network prime time, advertisements and even cartoons. Is the media partially to blame for kids' risky behavior?

"The media should be more responsible in what they are showing," Escobar-Chaves says. "If they show sex, then they should show how people could have safer sex."

Escobar-Chaves adds that the media is doing a slightly better job of presenting the consequences of having sex, like sexual transmitted diseases and pregnancy, but she worries that the wrong message is being presented. "Soap operas may give out a lot of information, but it may not be the correct information," she explains. "Don't let the media teach your child about sex. As a parent, you are your child's best teacher, so talk about the facts."

More study needed

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about two-thirds of TV programs contain sexual content. Simple reasoning would lead one to believe that, indeed, art imitates life. And in today's Pop culture, life certainly imitates art. Adolescents can't possibly escape the sexual influences of the media. From over-saturation alone, there must be a behavioral link, right?

Yet, no strong research has been conducted to answer the burning question: Does teen exposure to sexual images on TV lead to sexual activity? The answer is still somewhere down the road.

"We need to conduct more rigorous, longitudinal studies to find out how the mass media affects adolescents' behavior from their teenage years to adulthood," Escobar-Chaves explains. "Only then can we determine exactly the kind of behaviors these children play out."

Train up a child: What to do in the meantime

Both adults and children can all be influenced by the media. As a parent, you can't watch your children around the clock. Escobar-Chaves says although you can't shield your child from the real world, the key is communication. "Talk to your child. You'll find that they usually come to good conclusions about things," she adds. "Instill values in your child. Hopefully, they will stick."

The following tips may help you inform and safeguard your children:

Be aware of what your kids are watching and listening to . Nearly half of the top-selling CDs favored by teenagers contain explicit sexual content.
Talk to your kids about what they are watching , even if they get a little embarrassed. They will tell you when you have crossed their threshold of "conversation comfort."
Watch and discuss a show with your kids to help reinforce the lessons carried by television. If the show's "lessons" run counter to your family's beliefs, take the opportunity to have an inclusive conversation with your children.
Filter your Internet at home from undesirable Web sites.
Do not buy video games that you have not previewed or played. This may not prevent children from finding them elsewhere, but it reinforces your personal stance on sexual subject matter to your child.
'Parent Lock' the cable channels that you do not want your children to view.
Keep computers, videos and TVs out of your kids' bedroom. Put them in a place where you can see what the child is watching.
Limit TV time. The average teenager sits in front of the TV three to four hours a day. Channel some of that time toward family activities that don't involve the TV.

More About the Report
The report Impact of the Media on Adolescent Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors was co-authored by Escobar-Chaves, Dr. Susan Tortolero, Dr. Christine Markham and Dr. Barbara Low of the UT-Houston Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research. The study is a critical review of recent scientific literature on the subject available over a 20-year period. It was funded by a $119,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, a non-profit educational organization created to promote healthy decisions and behavior to improve the welfare of individuals and society.

Last Updated: 2-18-2005

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About Dr. Escobar-Chaves:

Dr. Liliana Escobar-Chaves is a faculty associate at the UT School of Public Health.

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Overexposed

Health Tip:

Packing Bag Lunches Safely

If you pack lunches for your child to take to school, be careful that you do not accidentally expose them to foodborne illness.

Bagged lunches, especially those containing perishable foods, need to be packed and handled properly in order to keep the food safe. In general, perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out too long, the temperature of the food can enter the danger zone where bacteria grow most rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Below are some tips to help families pack bagged lunches safely:

Pack foods that are nonperishable and won't require refrigeration.
If you do pack perishable foods such as luncheon meats or prepackaged cheese and crackers, include a frozen gel pack or a frozen juice carton with the food in an insulated lunch bag or box.
Pack only the amount of perishable food that your child can eat at lunch.
Preparing lunches the night before and storing them in the refrigerator until you pack your child's lunchbox in the morning can help keep food cold longer the next day.
Don't reuse packaging materials such as paper or plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc. as they can contaminate other foods and cause foodborne illness. Have your child discard all used food packaging and paper bags after lunch.

Before eating lunch or snacks at school, make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If your child's school does not have a handwashing program in place, encourage them to adopt a such a program, as handwashing is one of the best ways kids and parents can protect health and stop the spread of germs.