Friend or Foe

Reviews / Votes

This volume of Friend or Foe: Tackling the Issues of Social Media is a wonderful and welcome addition to the literature on children and technology and it couldn't come at a better time. How children from middle childhood through adolescence are using this very popular technology is the topic parents, pediatricians, policymakers and social scientists want to understand...and this volume is replete with the latest research findings on the topic. It is truly an informative and thoughtful collection of the latest research and I recommend it with great enthusiasm. -- Ellen Wartella, Al-Thani Professor of Communication; Director, Center on Media and Human Development, Northwestern University In this 3rd volume of the Masters of Media series, Friend or Foe: Tackling the Issues of Social Media, Dr.s Victor Strasburger and Marjorie Hogan have yet another winner! Each of the eight individual chapters brings state-of-the-art science to bear on critically important topics concerning the pros, cons, and unknowns of social media effects on children and adolescents. Each is quite comprehensible to interested readers who are not themselves scientists. This volume is a must read for parents and caregivers, politicians and public policy makers, and students of media effects ranging from upper-level high school students to graduate students. -- Craig A. Anderson, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Iowa State University I highly recommend Friend or Foe, edited by Dr. Strasburger. This volume tackles a critical topic - social media. It discusses important topics such as misinformation, ADHD, sexting, and cyberbullying. It also includes a chapter on how social media can affect special populations of youth (e.g., LGBTQ+ teens). It reviews the scientific literature on whether social media are harmful or helpful. And for harmful effects, it includes a chapter on media literacy to help teens be more intelligent consumers of social media. All chapters are well documented with references to scientific studies. I am delighted to own this volume! -- Brad J. Bushman, Professor of Communication and Rinehart Chair of Mass Communication, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA Children and adolescents seem forever tied to social media. This latest volume of Masters of Media helps us more fully understand the positive and negative effects of this involvement while providing insight into what parents and educators can do to mitigate its impact. -- Ed Donnerstein, PhD, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, University of Arizona Social media have changed how we can influence each other, as well as how easily we can be influenced (no one wants to hear that, I know!). This volume examines many of the benefits and potential problems that are continuing to result. We can't manage something well without first understanding it. -- Douglas A. Gentile, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Psychology, Iowa State University Don't let the fervor over blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and NFTs mislead - the social media of Web 2.0 are here to stay. Fortunately, this third Masters of Media volume tackles the issues of social media with thoughtful depth and insightful creativity. I highly recommend it. -- Paul Wright, PhD, Professor and Director of Communication Science, The Media School, Indiana University Bloomington There's no arguing that social media is the most powerful influencer on today's youth. In his latest manuscript, Masters of Media, Dr. Victor Strasburger lays it all out-the good, the bad, and the disturbing influence of social media on the world, families and kids. A must read for all parents to become wiser, more informed media consumers and learn to see through the conspiracies and misinformation to help protect your children. -- Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP,Pediatrician, Founder of Calabasas Pediatrics Wellness Center Drs. Strasburger, Hogan and their co-authors adeptly address the ever-evolving media and the tremendous impact it continues to exert on lives of youth. I found the chapters on social media and disinformation most gripping as these are areas where not just culture wars have been waged, but elections have been influenced. This insightful book provides a wonderful foundation upon which readers can become more savvy consumers and analysts of media and society. -- Nusheen Ameenuddin, MD, MPH, MPA; Chair AAP Council on Communications and Media