Summary:
Media is a large part of a teenager's life. The negative affects of the media in television, internet and magazines is a problem that needs to be dealt with. The only solutions that can be given to minimize these problems are parental and school involvement.
Media's Affects On North American Teenagers
Imagine a world without media. A world where there is peace and people are accepted as unique individuals. Can limiting the amount of media in today's society, decrease the affects it has on the young minds of today? Can their minds develop an intellectual way of thinking and behaving under a restricted amount of media? Being so media everywhere has a negative influence on adolescents and it is often fraught with danger. The most important influences in media are internet, magazines and television.
The internet has many benefits, but there are many dangers that are a result of internet use. Internet addiction, for instance being hooked onto chat rooms can interfere with school work and similar to television can result in not physically active teens, poor socializing skills. Electronic mail and chat rooms can take away time that was reserved for homework. Not all sources on the internet are accurate and true. Misinformation and inaccuracy of facts can cause health effects if they are followed. The internet is a very effective place for advertising of false objects which leads to scams and fraud (CPS 303-304). Pornographic sites on the web brainwash adolescents into believing sex roles. Certain sexual behaviors are portrayed as correct and enjoyable. Most importantly, pedophiles use the internet to start relationships through chat rooms and email. The internet does not always have a bad influence on teenagers, but it must be used with caution to prevent any dangers.
Magazines have the tendency to lure people into believing certain ideas and beliefs. Teenagers are very concerned about appearance and popularity. Magazines that are written for teenagers lead them into buying expensive make up, hair products and clothes to be popular and to be accepted. Teenagers go on constant dieting to obtain the perfect body just as the models in the magazines. This leads to low self-confidence, anorexia, and other illnesses. Magazines often display mostly women and some men sexually, which has teenage boys identifying women as sex objects. Little do they know, most of these pictures on the magazines are digitally modified to look a certain way. With a simple click of the mouse, a model will be given the perfect lip, and thighs. Based on the types of magazines a teen is interested in, it can have harmful affects on them mentally, emotionally and physically.
On average, teenagers will have spent more time watching television than in the classroom by high school graduation (CPS 301). After spending so much time in front of the television, there must be a consequence for it. Television has the largest affects on teenagers. There is an increased amount of violence being portrayed on television. Studies show that an average person becomes more violent and angry when watching a violent show on television (Berger 61). Shows such as the WWF influence male majorities to be violent. It shows grown men and women wrestling and there is nothing wrong with it. Therefore the adolescents believe that "if they can do it, so can we." Television also takes time away from extra-curricular activities, socializing and school work, which results in less physically active teens with poor socializing skills and bad grades. Obesity can also be a result of a lot of time spent on television. Substance abuse is often sown on television. Advertising of alcohol and cigarettes are very affective on teens. Although cigarettes are not advertised as a good thing on commercials, it is advertised on television shows, movies and music videos. On an annual basis, "teenagers see between 1000 and 2000 beer commercials carrying the message that "real" men drink beer." Studies show that advertising increases beer consumption (CPS 302). Consequences of alcohol and cigarettes are also advertised on television, but not frequently enough to influence the teenage mind. Finally, sex is most repeatedly shown on many television shows, movies, and music videos. It is often shown between unmarried couples, and there is no mention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases such Gonorrhea. Television can be educational and entertaining; however it does have negative affects on teens.
Media is a large part of a teenager's life. The negative affects of the media in television, internet and magazines is a problem that needs to be dealt with. The only solutions that can be given to minimize these problems are parental and school involvement. Some high schools across Canada have programs that promote media awareness. These programs allow teenagers to understand how media has an impact on them socially (CPS 303). Parents also have the ability to enforce media awareness on their children. It is their duty to control and monitor their child's viewing habits. If parents do not influence their children, the media will do it for them (CPS 303). If this problem is not dealt with, teenagers are going to be less confident, violent and possible drug abusers. This can lead to health problems and death, if dangers in the society increase. To sum up, as individuals, teenagers also must control their actions and learn to grow safely and healthy in the changing environment.
Works Consulted
Berger, Gilda. Violence and the Media. United States of America: Moffa Press, 1989
