Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media

This comprehensive two-volume reference work provides an essential overview of how media impacts youth development across psychological, social, and cultural dimensions. Editor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett brings together leading scholars to examine everything from television and video games to social media and advertising, offering evidence-based analysis of media's influence on identity formation, behavior patterns, and social relationships. The encyclopedia format delivers accessible yet authoritative entries on critical topics like media violence, body image, educational programming, and digital literacy, making complex research findings understandable for a broad audience. Each entry combines current data with historical context, creating a multidimensional perspective on media's evolving role in young lives.

What distinguishes this resource is its balanced approach—neither alarmist nor dismissive about media effects, but rigorously examining both risks and opportunities in youth media engagement. The cross-referenced entries allow readers to explore connections between topics like internet safety and adolescent development, or gaming culture and cognitive skills. Students and educators will find this particularly valuable for research projects, while parents and professionals working with youth gain practical insights into navigating today's complex media landscape. This reference set ultimately empowers readers to think critically about media consumption and its real-world consequences for the next generation.