The online version of Plugged In is made available under a Creative Commons license for use that is noncommercial. The terms of the license are set forth at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0.
About Plugged In
Plugged In presents a nuanced picture of the complex relationship between youth and media. Relying on research that has been conducted throughout the world, the book presents an up-to-date account on the role of media in the lives of youth from birth throughout adolescence. The book highlights why media preferences change throughout childhood, and then takes on the complex question of how media affect youth – looking at both the sunny and dark sides of media use. For example, is digital gaming harming or helping youth? How can parents help teens’ balance their smartphone use? Just how much should we worry about media multitasking? Why do toddlers enjoy tablets and smartphones, and is this use healthy? Can children learn from educational media? Should we worry about the effects of advertising? And in an era of social media and sexy selfies, how can we help ensure that youth know how to use media responsibly?
In a clear and readily-accessible manner, Valkenburg and Piotrowski discuss the answers to these and other questions. This book is a must‐read for students, teachers, parents, and anyone interested in youth and media.