Past Research Reports

Learn about our research program and see the most recent reports.

The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2015

November 03, 2015
The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens is a large-scale study that explores young people’s use of the full range of media.

Children, Teens, Media, and Body Image

January 21, 2015
Our review of dozens of research studies on body image reveals its importance to kids' healthy development and the influential power of media -- and parents -- to shape attitudes and behaviors, beginning when kids are very young.

Children, Teens, and Reading

May 12, 2014
A review of national data and surveys on rates of reading and reading achievement over time among kids and teens.

Advertising to Children and Teens: Current Practices

January 28, 2014
This research brief reviews new techniques being used to market to kids and teens, scans what's known about current methods of advertising, and identifies gaps in research on the topic.

Zero to Eight: Children's Media Use in America, 2013

October 28, 2013
Second in a series of nationally representative surveys of parents of U.S. kids age 0 to 8 conducted to understand children's patterns of use for TV, reading, music, computers, video games, and mobile digital media.

Media and Violence: An Analysis of Current Research

February 13, 2013
This brief reviews the latest scientific research about violence in the media and its possible effects on aggressive behavior.

Children, Teens, and Entertainment Media: The View from the Classroom

November 1, 2012
A national survey of teachers about the role of entertainment media in students' academic and social development.

Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives, 2012

June 26, 2012
In this national survey, teens age 13 to 17 report on their use of texting and social media. They also report on how social media use affects the ways they feel about themselves and their relationships with family and friends.

Children's Media Use in America, 2011

October 25, 2011
A nationally representative survey of parents of U.S. kids age 0 to 8 conducted to understand children's patterns of use for TV, reading, music, computers, video games, and mobile digital media.