Menlo Park, Calif.—Today’s young people are “wired” to television, computers and video games more than seven-and-a-half hours a day, according to a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. That doesn’t include texting or cell phone use, which is also on the rise.

When researchers conducted a similar study five years ago, they assumed they’d hit a ceiling on media use. But young people ages 8 to 18 now spend 77 more minutes a day consuming media. Tweens use the most.

"What surprised me the most is the sheer amount of media content coming into [kids’] lives each day,” said study director Vicky Rideout.

Pediatrician Michael Rich said arguments about whether media use is good or bad are obsolete. Instead, it’s time to accept the media as part of children’s environment, like air and food.

Felina Seymore, 17, said, “The average day for me, if I’m not at work, I will text all day or be on MySpace or Facebook. That’s my life.” Seymore said technology helps her “learn new things ... instead of sitting around at home being bored.”

Francisco Sepulveda, 14, uses his smart phone to watch videos, listen to music, and surf the Web. He sends or receives about 500 text messages a day.

Heavy media use is associated with behavior problems and lower grades, although researchers aren’t sure about cause and effect.

The study found that only 30 percent of parents impose some kind of limits on media use, but those kids log about three hours less exposure per day.

Becky Kirsh, a mom of four, has taken video-game remote controls with her to work. “The bottom line is that this is my house,” she said. “There’s so much that is positive about old-fashioned family life ... and I’m just not willing to give that up to technology.”

Sources: New York Times, Chicago Tribune

Discussion Questions:

• Are you surprised by this study’s findings? Why or why not? Do you think all this media use sounds or feels like a lot to the average teenager, or is it just “the norm” these days? Explain.

• How many hours, in your estimation, do you spend in front of media or an electronic device? Is that a productive use of your time? Why or why not? What’s your main purpose for using each device: entertainment? communication? socializing? other?

• What are the pros and cons of having so much technology available now? Does it expand your horizons and help you learn more? Do you think excessive media use leads to problems such as obesity and failing grades? Why or why not?

• Does media use prevent you from doing any other activities? Does it limit your face-to-face interaction with friends or family? Explain.

• If you weren’t using media, how else would you spend your time? Would you be bored? Why or why not? Are you comfortable having quiet “down times” from media, or are you always anxious to get back to the screens?

• Does excessive media use have any religious implications, in your opinion? Do you think it affects how people view or relate to God? If so, explain.

• What are some ways that media use can glorify God, strengthen your faith, or help you share Christ with others? Are you comfortable using media in those ways? Why or why not?

• Have you set any limits or controls on your kids' media use? If so, what are they? Do both of you feel like those limits are fair? like they protect your children? Explain.

Scripture links: Psalm 32:8-9; Psalm 90:12; Proverbs 1:7-9; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Ephesians 5:15-16; and Revelation 3:20.

Stephanie Martin is a freelance writer and editor in Colorado.