Given the weight of the accumulated research evidence from diverse fields of study, it seems clear that some forms of delinquency and some aspects of adolescent media-use may be facilitated, at least in part, by prevailing conditions within the school system. There is now a large body of empirical evidence that shows a chain of association that runs from differential school achievement and commitment, via youth subcultures, to preferences for more legitimate or oppositional cultural forms. Successful students, even from lower status backgrounds, tend to read more, watch more television, rent fewer video cassettes, and prefer more socially acceptable types of music. Unsuccessful students, even from higher status backgrounds, are less cooperative with parents, are oriented more toward antischool peer groups, and tend to prefer socially disvalued media contents, such as heavy metal music and video violence. These findings suggest a model in which the social situation in which adolescents find themselves generates media- related needs. The theoretical synthesis proposed in this article suggests remedial strategies for breaking the negative spiral of association that currently exists between the school, some elements of media use, and delinquency. 79 references