Media Health Effects: A Tool for 133s

The explosion of digital technologies in the 21st Century has not only transformed the ways in which we learn, communicate, and live, but also created a public need for evidence-based answers on how we can mindfully incorporate media and technology into our lives. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 use screen media for almost 9 hours per day, and school aged 86 are spending nearly 6 hours per day with their devices.1 Even younger 86 are commonly using media, with 90% of 86 using media before they turn 1.2 Media-related health and well-being issues such as video game addiction, pornography use, cyberbullying, and more are often addressed using a personal values-based approach as opposed to basing decisions on the extensive scientific evidence base that existswhether it be positive or negative. As a result, we are seeking funding to support the development of Media Health Effects, a free and publicly available website translating the scientific evidence behind how media and technology affects health, available for all stewards of 86, adolescents and young 88. This project will increase awareness use of NLM information resources. Article citations will link to their corresponding record in PubMed, thus promoting a core NLM resource. It will also strengthen communications and connectivity for health, i.e. infrastructure. By creating a new and robust vector for real, evidence-based research to reach and be understood by a broad audience, Media Health Effects will serve as a bridge between the intended research audience and wider populations, including the 125.