The Effects of Media on Teenagers

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Mass media includes Internet, radio, television, mobile devices, and other communication technologies. The existence and power of media influences are strongly recognized as a significant part of the ecology of the young generation. The media has become an inseparable part of the life of teenagers. Nearly every adolescent growing up in the United States is exposed to various encounters with mass media every day. Considering the current influences, the media plays an important role in forming opinions and dictating the actions of the youth culture. The mass media has tremendously affected people’s lifestyle, living patterns, and socialization. Although many people in today’s society could be affected both negatively and positively, teenagers are more inclined to be influenced by the media and hence, receive the greatest impact. The positive influences of the media might not be talked about often, but positive effects do exist. However, the negative influences of the media are more visible due to the consistency used to elaborate its negativity into people’s minds. Some of the negative impacts of mass media on the young generation involve the increase of aggressive behavior in adolescents. Another aspect is the youth-targeted advertisements that portray ideal body images toward the female demographics, and also the celebrity hype that causes teenagers to demand expensive materials is another disadvantage. Many media outlets increase aggressive tendencies in teenagers, whether from television, video games, or movies. One influence that causes negativity is the excessive amount of violence being brought by the media. For example, if teenagers play violent video games, the violence would trigger as a significant risk fact... ... middle of paper ... ...704888_2 Hellmich, N. (25 September 2006) Do thin models warp girls’ body image? Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-09-25-thin-models_x.htm Kilbourne, J. (n.d.) Beauty… and the beast of advertising Retrieved from http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/beautyand-beast-advertising Markley, A. (11 April, 2008) Influence of cell phones on kids Retrieved from http://andrenamarkley.articlesbase.com/cell-phones- articles/influence-of-cell-phones-on-kids-384441.html Oak, M. (n.d.) Negative influences of media Impact of mass media on adolescent health Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/negative-influences-of-media.html Priyadarshini, V. (25 February 2010) Impact of mass media on adolescent health Retrieved from http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/impact-of-mass-media-on-adolescent-health-039039the-dark-side039039-1907174.html

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