Seger and Potts validated use of adults’ self-reported memories of their childhood television viewing to product their current aggression. This study builds upon that prior work. A sample of 18-24 year-olds was surveyed about their television viewing habits when they were ages 8-10 and 13-16. This information was compared to sexism scores for give programs that were popular during those periods. Results indicated that there is a strong relationship between early television consumption and both gender attitudes and acceptance of the #MeToo movement. Current media habits were significantly less predictive.
“Promoting Healthy Behaviors Across the Digital Divide”
Using a representative national sample of over two thousand 18-19-year-old college students in the United States, this study explored the role of digital media in informing the health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of older adolescents. Vaccination for bacterial meningitis (to which entering college students are particularly vulnerable) was the test case. Researchers ascertained what sources participants used for vaccine information, and gathered additional information about each student’s beliefs, concerns, and behaviors relating to vaccines generally and bacterial meningitis in particular. The data indicated that older adolescents who relied on digital media for vaccination information were more likely to be up-to-date on their vaccinations, had greater concerns about bacterial meningitis, and possessed more favorable attitudes towards meningitis vaccination than those who did not. Digital media reliance for vaccine information was not significantly related to general health status, race/ethnicity, or financial standing. These findings suggest that digital media may empower healthy attitudes and behaviors across the digital divide.
“U Up? Social Media and the Promulgation of Hook-Up Culture Among Late Adolescents”
This study examined the relationship between exposure to sexual content and both online and offline sexual behaviors and attitudes of late adolescents. An online survey of 150 late teens found a positive relationship between sexual media use and the endorsement of hookup cultural values and the likelihood of engaging sexual content on social media through posting, liking or sharing such content.
