ABSTRACT

When thinking of their best-loved novels, TV series, or video games, most people would likely agree that entertainment contributes to their well-being. However, despite their appeal for individual users, entertainment media have often sparked public controversy about their futility and harmful side effects. For example, the use of violent entertainment has been linked to increased aggressiveness (Bushman & Huesmann, 2006). Heavy television viewing has been found to cultivate perceptions of the world as a mean and dangerous place (Gerbner & Gross, 1976), and has been linked to unrealistic body ideals and eating disorders (Moriarty & Harrison, 2008).