Media use by children and adolescents from New York City 6 months after the WTC attack

Abstract

Six months after the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11), a representative sample of New York City students (N = 8,236) in Grades 4 through 12 reported their use of TV, Web, and combined radio and print media regarding the WTC attack. Demographic factors, WTC exposure, other exposure to trauma, and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were used to predict intensive use of the 3 types of media. Intensive use was associated with direct exposure to the WTC attack (with the exception of Web use) and to having reported symptoms of PTSD. Stratified analyses indicated that the association between probable PTSD and intensive media use was more consistently present among those who had no direct or familial exposure to the WTC attack. As well, media, particularly TV, was intensively used by children after the WTC attack. Variations existed in the factors associated with intensive media use, which should be considered when planning postdisaster media coverage and advising families.

Caregiver-Reports of Internet Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Among Boston-Area Youth Following the 2013 Marathon Bombing

“…Clinical efforts—in addition to focusing primarily on children most directly affected by terrorist attacks—must also maintain a secondary focus on children who come into high levels of indirect contact with terrorism. The present findings add to a growing body of literature (e.g., Comer et al, 2010; Comer, Dantowitz et al, 2014; Duarte et al, 2011; Pfefferbaum et al, 2001) clarifying for practitioners critical forms of indirect exposure that can place youth at additional risk following acts of terrorism.…”

“…Research in affected and unaffected regions following the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 attacks found that children’s TV exposure to these attacks was considerable (e.g., Duarte et al, 2011; Hoven et al, 2005; Pfefferbaum et al, 2001; Schuster et al, 2001). Prior research has also consistently found that substantial proportions of caregivers made no attempt to limit children’s TV exposure following these terrorist events (Lengua et al, 2005; Schuster et al, 2001), and that greater doses of TV exposure to terrorism are associated with elevated PTSD symptoms and elevated threat perceptions in youth (e.g., Comer, Dantowitz et al, 2014; Comer, Furr, Beidas, Weiner, & Kendall, 2008; Duarte et al, 2011; Otto et al, 2007; Pfefferbaum et al, 2001; Phillips et al, 2004). The present findings extend these earlier studies that were conducted largely prior to the transformative recent growth in Internet technology, accessibility, and usage across developed regions of the world, and provide the first statistical portrait of the scope and impact of Internet-based exposure to terrorist events within the modern context of our vastly evolved mass media landscape.…”

“…Increasing work has evaluated children’s TV-based contact with terrorism, as well as the effectiveness with which parents regulate children’s exposure to terrorism-related TV presentations (Comer, Dantowitz et al, 2014; Comer, Furr, Beidas, Weiner, & Kendall, 2008; Comer & Kendall, 2007; Duarte et al, 2011; Otto et al, 2007; Pfefferbaum et al, 2001). By design, the aim of terrorism is larger in scope than death, physical injury, and property destruction, with the broader goal to threaten and intimidate a group of persons much larger than the immediate victims (Comer & Kendall, 2007).…”

“…TV coverage of terrorist events can include vivid, frightening, and gruesome images, and can broadcast ongoing threat and alert to consumers—including to many who may not be at any elevated personal risk or vulnerability (Comer & Kendall, 2007). Not surprisingly, exposure to TV coverage in the aftermath of terrorism has been consistently linked with increases in PTSD symptoms and elevated threat perceptions in youth (e.g., Comer, Dantowitz et al, 2014; Comer, Furr, Beidas, Weiner, & Kendall, 2008; Duarte et al, 2011; Otto et al, 2007; Pfefferbaum et al, 2001; Phillips, Prince, & Schiebelhut, 2004). …”

“…Duarte and colleagues’ (2011) work after 9/11 has been the only study that has specifically examined children’s web-based exposure, but Internet usage patterns, speed, and quality were very different at the time of the 9/11 attacks, and the role of the Internet and social networking platforms as serious vehicles for mass news dissemination and engagement had not yet fully emerged. Accordingly, much remains to be learned about the scope and impact of Internet-based exposure among youth following terrorism within the context of the modern mass media landscape.…”