Influence of Media
Influence is everywhere. Whether people are at school, home, work, dance lessons, or simply driving, they are always in reach of something or someone to have an effect on their character, development, or behavior. Today, the most easily influenced societal groups are teenagers, especially when it comes to the source of media. Media is the largest communicator for the world. “Some form of media touches your life every day—economically, socially and culturally” (Biagi, 2010). The media includes the news, entertainment television, magazines, internet, radio, newspapers, and social networking. All of these resources have become very popular due to the growing changes in technology. However, unless monitored closely, these influences can have both negative and positive impacts on the lives of teenagers such as time management, celebrity influences, networking, and awareness.
Time management is key in our everyday lives, and as teenagers it is sometimes hard to keep up with time, wisely. “ Today’s teens spend more than 71/2 hours a day consuming media — watching TV, listening to music, surfing the Web, social networking, and playing video games, according to a 2010 study of 8- to 18-year-olds conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation” (Ahuja, 2013). This source shows that teens spend a lot of time dealing with technology. Therefore, focusing on what is more important becomes an issue. “Teens spend so much time interacting with each other on social networks and phones that they are growing less comfortable with in-person interactions and not developing essential social skills” (Ahuja, 2013). Families rarely have normal conversations at the dinner table. This could also be a reason why some teens do not have a good relationship with their parents. The urge of wanting to be on the phone or internet chatting, and browsing for something that interest you can get in the way of things that matter most, which involves making time for those more valuable things. Prioritizing time is a very important skill growing up, and the media is an easy way to lose focus.
Also, celebrity influence, viewed through the media, can be very negative. Although, custom seems as though the paparazzi, purposely, catches more of a celebrity’s worst moments than best, we are all in control of our own actions. Because they are famous, they should watch their reckless behavior more closely, (which, oftentimes, they fail to do) since teenagers are easily influenced, especially by someone that they admire. During these years, teens are searching for themselves and are extremely vulnerable. “Their [teens] ideas on life are more in the clouds than in reality. Teens are thinking, dreaming, and even planning a few years ahead. This, in turn, is making celebrities a few years older than them more desirable” (Guana, n.d.). Soon, teen discover that the best way to find out about your favorite celebrities day to day life is the media. Knowing how these celebrities live, dress, and handle situations can affect the life of a teen because these celebrities, they think, are whom they should emulate. Additionally, the media is very quick to promote the negative side of a celebrity and forget that the negativity they think may change how a fan feels about the celebrity, is really what makes that fan like them more. The media and celebrities should be very careful of what they advocate, because you never know the impact it may have on those watching, especially teens.
However, networking is one of the many positive aspects of media. We sometimes hear that it is one of the keys to success, and if we did not have access to social media, that process would be very hard to manage. “Social networking sites offer a way for musicians and artists to build audiences even if they don’t have a corporate contract” (Social Networking, n.d.). Not only has the entertainment industry become very popular in the current generation, but because of social networking it is easier for teens to become involved in any career they want to pursue. Social media is also a great way to help young entrepreneurs promote their business. It is a tremendous asset for reaching out to consumers and other small or big businesses around the world. E-mail is also one of the most used social media resources. It allows people to communicate efficiently and quicker by increasing productivity and saving time. Therefore, social media is a very beneficial source.
Lastly, as teenagers, being aware of your surroundings are very important. As a teen many adults remind us that we are the future. Hearing this statement might not sound scary, but thinking about it is totally different. Not only because of the production of newspaper but because of the internet and television, today’s news broadcasters are able to relay important messages about what is going on around the world, country, or state, with lightning speed. Although, many teens do not pay attention to the news, it is crucial for us to be aware. “News, tele-films and documentaries revolving around social issues increase a social awareness in children and develop their concern towards society” (Oak, 2011). Media serves as one of the best communicators for news and because the newspaper is not very popular anymore, the most sufficient way to get a child’s attention is through the internet or television.
The influence of media on teens has become very controversial over the past few years. The media contains many negative and positive influences such as, time management, celebrity influence, social networking, and awareness. In order to be aware of the media’s negative influences, teens must monitor with awareness and discrimination exactly what they view from the media industry.
Time management is key in our everyday lives, and as teenagers it is sometimes hard to keep up with time, wisely. “ Today’s teens spend more than 71/2 hours a day consuming media — watching TV, listening to music, surfing the Web, social networking, and playing video games, according to a 2010 study of 8- to 18-year-olds conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation” (Ahuja, 2013). This source shows that teens spend a lot of time dealing with technology. Therefore, focusing on what is more important becomes an issue. “Teens spend so much time interacting with each other on social networks and phones that they are growing less comfortable with in-person interactions and not developing essential social skills” (Ahuja, 2013). Families rarely have normal conversations at the dinner table. This could also be a reason why some teens do not have a good relationship with their parents. The urge of wanting to be on the phone or internet chatting, and browsing for something that interest you can get in the way of things that matter most, which involves making time for those more valuable things. Prioritizing time is a very important skill growing up, and the media is an easy way to lose focus.
Also, celebrity influence, viewed through the media, can be very negative. Although, custom seems as though the paparazzi, purposely, catches more of a celebrity’s worst moments than best, we are all in control of our own actions. Because they are famous, they should watch their reckless behavior more closely, (which, oftentimes, they fail to do) since teenagers are easily influenced, especially by someone that they admire. During these years, teens are searching for themselves and are extremely vulnerable. “Their [teens] ideas on life are more in the clouds than in reality. Teens are thinking, dreaming, and even planning a few years ahead. This, in turn, is making celebrities a few years older than them more desirable” (Guana, n.d.). Soon, teen discover that the best way to find out about your favorite celebrities day to day life is the media. Knowing how these celebrities live, dress, and handle situations can affect the life of a teen because these celebrities, they think, are whom they should emulate. Additionally, the media is very quick to promote the negative side of a celebrity and forget that the negativity they think may change how a fan feels about the celebrity, is really what makes that fan like them more. The media and celebrities should be very careful of what they advocate, because you never know the impact it may have on those watching, especially teens.
However, networking is one of the many positive aspects of media. We sometimes hear that it is one of the keys to success, and if we did not have access to social media, that process would be very hard to manage. “Social networking sites offer a way for musicians and artists to build audiences even if they don’t have a corporate contract” (Social Networking, n.d.). Not only has the entertainment industry become very popular in the current generation, but because of social networking it is easier for teens to become involved in any career they want to pursue. Social media is also a great way to help young entrepreneurs promote their business. It is a tremendous asset for reaching out to consumers and other small or big businesses around the world. E-mail is also one of the most used social media resources. It allows people to communicate efficiently and quicker by increasing productivity and saving time. Therefore, social media is a very beneficial source.
Lastly, as teenagers, being aware of your surroundings are very important. As a teen many adults remind us that we are the future. Hearing this statement might not sound scary, but thinking about it is totally different. Not only because of the production of newspaper but because of the internet and television, today’s news broadcasters are able to relay important messages about what is going on around the world, country, or state, with lightning speed. Although, many teens do not pay attention to the news, it is crucial for us to be aware. “News, tele-films and documentaries revolving around social issues increase a social awareness in children and develop their concern towards society” (Oak, 2011). Media serves as one of the best communicators for news and because the newspaper is not very popular anymore, the most sufficient way to get a child’s attention is through the internet or television.
The influence of media on teens has become very controversial over the past few years. The media contains many negative and positive influences such as, time management, celebrity influence, social networking, and awareness. In order to be aware of the media’s negative influences, teens must monitor with awareness and discrimination exactly what they view from the media industry.