In today's society, there are numerous factors that influence a child's ability to learn. The media, for better or worse, are the primary teachers of America's youth. This environment reflects life itself, sometimes in a corrupt way, including the good and dire parts, along with the beautiful and horrible parts, as well as the charitable and violent parts. It is nearly impossible to protect young Americans from experiences that reflect the adult world when 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 the ability to expand his or her education about the world and the ways of society, it more often offers a poor form of socialization without opportunities for physical interaction and influences negatively affects a child's cognitive and social development by introducing them to adulthood at an early age through the constant problems of stereotyping, sexism, and violence that occur in American society. The first two years of a child's life are a critical time for the development of his or her brain (How). Television, as well as other forms of media, in moderation, can be a wonderful educator and entertainer for America's youth (How). However, media often prevents children from exploring their surroundings, as well as playing and interacting with parents and other individuals. Therefore, discourage learning and healthy physical and social development, which are fundamental in the first years of life (How).“Almost all children (99%) live in a house with a TV, half (50%) have... ... middle of the paper ... what is shown in the media makes unacceptable behavior seem acceptable. Media can be a powerful teacher for children and adolescents and have a profound impact on their health. Too little has been done by parents, schools, the entertainment industry, or the 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 ability to expand his or her education about the world and the ways of society, it more often offers a form of socialization without opportunities for physical interaction , and negatively affects a child's cognitive and social development by introducing them to adulthood at an early age through the constant problems of stereotyping, sexism, and violence that occur in American society.