Negative Effects Of Mass Media

Introduction

Body image is defined as “a subjective picture of one’s own physical appearance established both by self-observation and by noting the reaction of others” according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. This can be either in terms of weight, shape, height or muscle tone (Kirsh, 126). This picture of oneself can be distorted by various external factors, one of them being mass media. The mass media takes various forms, like television, fashion magazines, video games and the Internet. Mass media are extremely influential, “reflecting and generating symbols that help to shape social values” (Cash, 561). Studies have even shown that the unrealistic images the media portray have adverse effects on individuals (Haas et al. 405).

The average human being spends 2.5 hours watching television, 5.6 hours online and 38 minutes reading print material per day (statista.com). Throughout the day, people will encounter advertisements almost everywhere they go. These advertisements can depict anything from food, to gadgets and even celebrities and models. Mass media surrounds us.

With this high interaction with and consumption of mass media, it has undoubtedly become a large, almost necessary, part of our lives. People are exposed to media messages, both good and bad, on a daily basis. Thus, it is important that we discuss the impact of media on one aspect of the human psyche - body image. This literature review will discuss the effects of mass media on body image, how different aspects of media affect a person’s body image and how age and gender can affect the ways in which media has an impact on body image.

Positive and negative effects of the mass media on people’s self body

Due to that, they desire a better body so some may risk their health to lose weight by smoking or may even develop eating disorders. Although the media can be used to promote good causes through the use of celebrities, the effects of mass media on body image are mostly negative. The wide use of advertising in mass media and the use of social media also contributes greatly to the impact of mass media on body image, since it increases the contact consumers have with the images and their interactions with media. Lastly, mass media does affect both genders’ views on body image, contrary to the popular belief that suggests that women are more affected. Generally, men are conscious about their muscle mass while women are conscious of body shape. Teenagers and children are also subject to the influence of mass media from ages as young as 5, with research showing that the relationship between children’s desire to be thinner and their age is