Subjects & Setting: 1017 adolescents (248 white male, 264 black male, 248 white female and 262 black female were interviewed when they were in 7th or 8th grade and then again 2 years later. The average age was 13.7 at baseline. 90% of participants were interviewed in their homes. 

Intervention(s): n/a 

Outcome Measures: Sexual Media Diet measured sexual media exposure in television, music, magazines and movies over one month, age at first sexual intercourse, sexual experience, sexual orientation, gender, race, SES and age. 

Results: 55% of white teens in the highest quintile of Sexual Media Diet reported having sexual intercourse by the age of 15. 70% of black teens in the middle and highest quintile of Sexual Media Diet reported having sexual intercourse by the age of 16. Only 6% of white teens in the lowest quintile of Sexual Media Diet reported having intercourse by 15 and 28% of black teens in the lowest quintile reported having intercourse by 16. Black teens who were older, male and experienced early puberty were more likely to experience pre-intercourse sexual activity (p<.001). White teens who were older and in a lower SES group were more likely to experience pre-intercourse sexual activity (p<.04). White teens whose parents disapproved of sexual activity and who received good grades were less likely to engage in sexual activity. Black teens whose parents disapproved of sexual activity and whose parents were more hands-on were less likely to engage in sexual activity. Increased sexual media exposure significantly affected the model for white teens (p<.03) but not for black teens. 

Conclusions: Adolescents who are exposed to more sexual media are more likely to engage in sexual activity and at a younger age. This is especially true for white adolescents and is less true for black adolescents. © Center on Media and Child Healthreturn