In today's society, a number of factors affect a child's ability to learn. The media, for better or worse, is the primary teacher of America's youth. This environment reflects life itself, sometimes in corrupt ways, including the positive and heinous parts, as well as the beautiful and hideous parts, as well as the charitable and violent parts. It is almost impossible to protect America's youth from experiences that mirror the adult world as media invades homes and becomes an integral part of daily life. “American teenagers spend 31 hours a week watching television, 10 hours a week online, 4 hours a week reading magazines and 17 hours a week listening to music” (Miss). Although mass media is an important part of a child's learning process and has benefits such as broadening their education to the world and lifestyles of society, they most often provide poor form of socialization, without the possibility of physical interaction, and have a negative impact on the cognitive and social development of a child by introducing them to adulthood from a very young age through the constant problems of stereotypes, sexism and violence that occur within American society. The first two years of a child's life are a critical period for brain development. (How). Television and other forms of media, in moderation, can be a tremendous educational and entertainment tool for America's youth (Comment). However, media often prevent children from exploring their environment, playing, and interacting with their parents and others. Therefore, discouraging learning and healthy physical and social development, which are essential in the first years of life (Comment). "Almost all children (99%) live in a house equipped with a television, half (50%) have... ... middle of paper ...... the strength shown in the media makes unacceptable behavior seem acceptable. Media can be a powerful teaching tool for children and adolescents and have a profound impact on their health. Too little has been done by parents, schools, the entertainment industry or government to protect children and adolescents from the harmful effects of media and to maximize the prosocial aspects of modern media. Although mass media is an important part of a child's learning process and has benefits such as the possibility of broadening their education to the world and the ways of life of society, they most often provide a form of socialization without the possibility of physical interaction. and negatively affects a child's cognitive and social development by introducing them to adulthood at a young age through the constant problems of stereotyping, sexism, and violence that occur within American society..