This study examines how the media affects children. In this research paper we will discuss the social cites, television, and games that influence our youth. In today’s time the media and technology is everything. American youth now live in an environment that is overloaded with media. Through the media is the way they live and the way they socialize. There is a strong connection between the youth being exposed to sexual content, violence, bullying drugs and alcohol. The media has become a booming way for bullies and pedophiles to prey on children. With children being the most frequent users of the media, it is extremely hard for it not to have an influence on them. The media is very intoxicating for children in today’s society.
Key Words: Media’s Effect, Sexually Active, Fantasy lives
The mass media is a powerful force in today’s society and has evolved quickly. It has transformed the way people interact with one another as well as receive information. What are the negative effects that mass media has on children in today’s society? There are many sources such as television, video games, commercials and social cites ( Facebook, twitter, snap chat and instagram) that influence our youth. The media can be used elevate children, but it can also have a negative impact on them. A lot of exposure from the media can be harmful and often depict bad behavior, like drinking, drugs, violence, sexual content, and self-deception.
Many young people imitate the things they see in the media, and don’t understand what is really reality or fantasy. The media targets young people more than any other age group, because they are easily influenced. Through the media young people feel that the only way they will be accepted by society is if they go along with the “ ideal image” of what the need to look like or how they should act in order to fit in. This is the reason so many children have low self-esteem, or feel that they are not good enough, because they want to look like the image that is shown in the media. For example, a white girl with full lips, and full figure has now become a popular thing. That is because you have young ladies now that idolize Kim Kardishian or Iggy Azalia and feel as though that is the way they should
THESIS STATEMENT: The world’s media today seem to have more violence than ever. Video games have vivid depictions of accident catastrophes, fighting and murder. Television news programs generally lead with a violent story in order to gain an audience. This is free society people can stay what they want. ‘’ Media violence has many negative effect on youth today to commit crimes in society.’’
It is no secret that the current generation is obsessed with media. You cannot walk anywhere without seeing teenagers, adults, and even kids using technology and social media. Everywhere you look there are ads to purchase the latest and greatest clothing, technology, or beauty products. Television standards have been lowered by the FCC and shows with explicit content have now taken over television leaving teenagers to idolize a lifestyle that is not to their best interest. But how does this media really affect us? What age is most drawn in and how does it change the outlook of their future? This would fall under evaluation research, I am seeking to find out the impact that media has on the current generation.
According to Huesmann Rowell L., "One of the notable changes in our social environment in the 20th and 21st centuries has been the saturation of our culture and daily lives by the mass media. In this new environment radio, television, movies, videos, video games, cell phones, and computer networks have assumed central roles in our children’s daily lives. For better or worse the mass media are having an enormous impact on our children’s values, beliefs, and behaviors. Unfortunately, the consequences of one particular common element of the electronic mass media has a particularly detrimental effect on children’s well being. Research evidence has accumulated over the past half-century that exposure to violence on television, movies, and most recently in video games increases the risk of violent behavior on the viewer’s part just as growing up in an environment filled with real violence increases the risk of
In the article “TV’s Negative Influence on Kids Reaffirmed” by Jeffrey M. McCall, he addresses the issue of how TV has a negative influence on children. McCall states that young children and toddler’s cognitive ability does not develop as well when they have television in the background while they are playing. McCall also argues that TV has a very influential role in the teen pregnancy rate and how early teens become sexually active. To further prove his point, McCall proclaims that children and teens that are exposed to too much Television and video games become socially awkward and have trouble interacting in society. McCall also says that the networks are rating their own programs carelessly which is leading to shows that should be blocked
In the article, “Confessions of a news junkie who hides the news from his kids,” Barry Gittins discusses the topic of mass media, he asserts that it has misguided children. Mass media has always been something to inform people. Yet, it’s the over consumption of media seems to affect the mental and physical wellness of children. This new generation of advancing gadgets and devices has altered children’s way of life and connections. The best way to avoid harming the child’s mental and physical wellness is moderation on the screens. Parents claim that in their youth, they used their creativity or sensibility to create things that make them occupied and entertained them. Children are only children once. So, why not bring that back and help the
Arguments concerning social media’s affect on children often being with television. Experts on the other side of the argument claim that television leaves a negative effect on children that leads to obesity and violent behaviors. Manfred Spitzer writes “After 6 months, children in the intervention school had a lower BMI and behaved less violently during break times…” (pg. 1388). Not only are the effects written by Spitzer possible but experts also argue that children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. Children may be more fearful of the world around them and they may be more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways towards others. The violence exposed to children through media doesn’t cease to exist with only television. Video games are often blamed for violence crimes in children and youth as well. Craig A. Anderson, a psychologist along with others concluded in a 2010 review of video game violence showed that “evidence strongly suggest that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior.”
What are the negative effects of social media on young teens and the future generations? Elise White, the author of “Does the Media Negatively Affect Teenagers?”, explains the negative effects of media on teenagers, and she includes Sex, Violence, Money, and Body Image, as the major factors. She also says, “If a Teenager is responsible for a violent act, society is convinced that media/Video games is the main cause.” (Elise White 1). Out of all these negative factors, society believes that Body Image is the one that effects the most. An average fashion model is thinner than ninety eight percent of women. Advertisements only work to publicize their brand/products, such as; toothpastes, makeup, clothes, and so on. Young teens are exposed to such unrealistic image and are encouraged to place more importance on their appearance than a healthy life. This advertising pays for all forms of media, including movies, magazines, websites and phone applications. These advertisements lead to low self esteem and insecurity among teenagers. It can also lead to emotional and mental issues like depression if they do not achieve so called “Perfect bodies”. In today’s society, owning something that everyone has or is trending like, makeup, branded clothes, and fancy gadgets is considered to be “Cool” and socially acceptable. Violence and Sex are the other important negative factors, as teenagers are influenced by the movies and video games they watch and play. Music videos these days portray a very violent and sexual image and meaning, which impacts the way many teenagers
Mass media is designed to reach large audiences with technology. Its purpose is meant to give us entertainment and information we need to act as a society. Media is everywhere; there is no escaping from it. Almost every home in America has at least one TV, the internet, and a cell phone. You cannot drive down the street without seeing billboard signs. Checking out at the grocery store can be tricky if trying to avoid magazines. There are more forms of media available today then ever before; consequently, teens are exposed to a lot of information. The media is supposed to portray what is normal; therefore, it affects what society considers normal. Teens are much more impressionable then adults. What the media tells them is normal affects
Now more than ever, media has become an ever-present part of everyday life. While certain aspects of media can be positive, such as the increase of social and political awareness among kids, many aspects provide a very negative influence, especially for children. Ellen Goodman described the media as “an increasingly hostile environment” for kids. The media, and television in particular, can negatively shape a child’s view about themselves and their world, from promoting unrealistic standards of beauty to normalizing violence.
Popular culture impacts our everyday lives. It influences us into falling for advertisements that makes us want to buy a product or change our way of thinking. For instance, television, a vital key in popular culture, promotes topics that mold our minds for better or for worse especially in children. In the article, “APA Congressional Testimony on Media Violence and Children”, Jeff J. McIntyre claims that the substantial exposure of violence in the media is affecting the minds of younger children in a negative way. This essay will explore how popular culture creates complications towards a younger generation, as explained by Jeff J. McIntyre, in order to explore the different ways in which violent media is being promoted and affecting
What impact does sex, violence, drugs, etc. in the media have on children? What can we do about it? How do we balance the tension between freedom of expression and the need to protect children? When you talk about the media and whether or not it is harmful on children, you must examine the whole industry and all aspects of its effects on children. It is that the media as a whole is not as harmful to children as some intense other can, but over exposure to certain aspects of certain types of media can be harmful. To say that all media can be harmful to children is a fallacy that must be avoided when examining this topic. Most people when analyzing this issue tend to focus on drugs, sex, and violence in terms of
Media often shows risk taking behavior involving teens, however messages shown can often be too complex and/or too mixed of a message to leave a morally correct idea in a teenagers developing brain. Media can really be any entertainment source based on communication, being defined (by Google) “as the main means of mass communication (television, radio, and newspapers) regarded collectively.” It does attempt to show behaviour such as taking drugs, hoon behaviour and violence among teens as a morally incorrect thing to partake in, however some attempts to display such acts as so, often do not result in success.
This shows that children spend more time involved in the media than they do with their parents and education. This means that the media is imposing a negative impact on children by eliminating important factors in a childs growth such as learning and spending time with family.
"Impact of media use on children and youth” explores the good and bad effects that media can have on a young child’s development both mentally and physically. In the beginning of the article, they provided examples of how watching television can expose young children to violence, sexuality, and offensive language. The author made an interesting point that connected an increase in violent behaviors with children who watch violent
Negative effects of Mass Media for teenagers, The exposure of sex images and excessive portraits of violence in movies and dramas have instilled negative thoughts and taboos in the mind of these teenagers for they have been consistently getting increased exposure to things which are not suitable for their age.