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Citation

Stern, Susannah R. & Brown, Jane D. (2008). From Twin Beds to Sex at Your Fingertips: Teen Sexuality in Movies, Music, Television and the Internet, 1950 to 2005.. Jamieson, Patrick E. & Romer, Daniel (Eds.) (pp. 313-343). New York: Oxford University Press.

Abstract

Adolescents are eager consumers of mass media entertainment and are particularly susceptible to various forms of media influence, such as modeling, desensitization, and contagion. These once controversial phenomena are now widely accepted along with the recognition that th media are a major socializer of youth
During the economic boom of the post-World War II era, marketers and advertisers identified adolescents as a major audience, which led to the emergence of a pervasive youth culture. Enormous changes ensued in the media’s portrayal of adolescents and the behaviors they emulate. These changes were spurred by increased availability and consumption of television, which joined radio, film, and magazines as major influence on youth. Later, the rapid growth of the video game industry and the internet contributed to the encompassing presence of the media. Today, opportunities for youthful expression about to the point where adolescents can easily create and disseminate content with little control by traditional media gatekeepers.

Reference Type

Book Section

Year Published

2008

Author(s)

Stern, Susannah R.
Brown, Jane D.