A resolution to implement a task force to study the media habits of youth in Illinois was introduced last month in the House of Representatives by Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero).
House Joint Resolution 9 creates the Illinois Media Literacy Task Force, which will assess the media habits of youth in the state and then create policies pertaining to those habits. If the resolution can allow the task force to create policies at a later date, there could be potential problems, as no one knows what those policies are.
Half of young adults live in a household with three or more smartphones, according to the resolution, and 96 percent live in a home with at least one smartphone. The resolution also notes that 8 to 18-year-olds spend 4.39 hours viewing television, 1.29 hours using computers, 2.31 hours listening to music and 1.13 hours playing video games each day.
Because the consumption of media content can be linked to self-esteem and body image, the task force will be created to study media habits of youth, according to the resolution. The task force will have four scheduled meetings and will serve without compensation, also according to the resolution.
The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee on Jan. 29.
Alerts Sign-up