FPG Faculty Fellow Kristen Harrison discusses youth media consumption
FPG Faculty Fellow Kristen Harrison, PhD, who is the Richard Cole Eminent Professor in the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, recently spoke with Carolina Stories about the effects of media consumption on children and adolescents.
Harrison began her career studying the connection between media, body image and eating disorders as a graduate student, more than 30 years ago. At the time, fashion magazines and television shows that centered on having beautiful, glamorous casts represented the most damaging content. Today, content from beauty and fitness influencers is most associated with negative body image.
"Research has confirmed for decades that consuming media content that shows bodies in idealized, unrealistic ways is tied to body dissatisfaction and can lead to harmful behaviors like disordered eating, says Harrison. And we know that adolescents are the most vulnerable to experiencing poor body image as a result of media messages."
The media landscape has changed dramatically over the years, but Harrison’s research has steadily focused on the impact of media messages on body perceptions. She also generally studies the behavioral and psychological effects of media consumption, especially on children and adolescents.
In a recent installment of the "Ask a Professor" series, Harrison discusses the biggest concerns around youth media consumption and what parents can do to help minimize related potential negative effects of media on their children.
