Impact of the Media on the Development of a Child - Research Paper Example

Impact of the Media on the Development of a Child Introduction The media constitutes a diverse form of elements that are mainly used for communication to the public on some of the important issues in life. In this reference, there are the options of the print media, which includes magazines and newspapers, the broadcast media, which includes television and radio, and finally the internet, which encompasses blogs, newspapers, and well as social sites. The teens have invaded the media in droves and according to the recent research, they constitutes almost seventy percentages of the users especially in internet and broadcast media, the big question is whether the media is contributing positively in the development of this cadre of population. Certainly, the answer is no, it is now apparent that the media particularly the internet has made the moral turpitude of the teens to be put to doubts and ascertained that this is the avenue through which they explore and practice illicit behaviors. Media’s Contribution in development of the Teens It is not accurate to state that media does not have any meaningful contribution in the lives of teens. It is true that it does influence many things with positive outcomes, an example of the case in the US where adolescent obesity has been mitigated through the media (Ford 11). Notwithstanding, when critically assessed it will be found that media has also contributed negatively in the lives of the teens by exposing them to issues related to sex, an example is the phonographic videos in the internet. Teens have also fallen into the trap of engaging in the illicit activities following the kind of advertisement they are accorded in the media. The media is thus an area where both positives and negatives conducts are drawn by the teens. Positive Attributes of the Media on teens Development The media has significantly contributed to the positive development of the teens in several ways helping them to achieve their life objectives. These positive impacts of media to the teens include academic improvements, growth of a reading a culture and networking. Academic Improvement According to research, it has been proven that the teens with computer and laptops in their room demonstrate remarkable improvement in their performance in academic work. This is attributed to the fact that by having computers, they not only have the ease to reach information through the internet but also get motivated and spend more hours reading information in the internet. Television show are also rated to have the best educational session on several issues that even the parent might not be having good grasp of knowledge about. In a close supervision then, television can prove to be one of the best informative media on relevant issues to the teens; an example is the show by Dr Oz and Oprah (Ford 17). Inculcation of the Reading Culture and Networking It is certain that our reading culture is threatened with the technological advancement today, as most of the teens demonstrate a very poor reading culture that needs to be reinforced. The print media that details several issues that takes place around the world is rejuvenating this culture. Through the magazines, journals that discuss the topical issues, the teens are fond of extracting the information in them through reading and this is helping in realizing the culture of reading. The internet on the other hand, provides the teens with a faster and safe way of interaction and can have the opportunity to share on some of the issues that interest them with whomsoever they choose around the world (Ford 20). Therefore, parents should then ensure that their children do not fall a prey to the other sides of the media that bears contrary impact. This precautionary measure ensures that the teens do not succumb to the disturbances, obsessions, depressions, and mental deterioration characterized with dwindling academic performance. Negative Attributes of the Media to the Teens Several studies have indicated that teens who demonstrate aggressiveness and anti social behaviors outside like rape, drug and substance abuse, as well as criminal gangs have sourced their traits form the media. This explains why parental guidance is vital in the teen’s media liking. It has been noted that the innocent teens do have the quest to do immoral thing from their previous media introduction such as cigarette smoking and sexual tendencies can begin at the age of 14 years based on the media’s introductory role. This then jeopardize the teen’s academic performance due to obsession by the specific sites or themes (Beck 15). Poor Academic Performance The media, particularly Television and internet are very addictive thus taking much time of the teens glued before the television or computers. This will most likely deny them their time to concentrate and put efforts in academic. This will work against them by recording poor academic results thus killing their future prospects. Hence, without the supervision of the parents, the teens are likely to develop immoral behaviors by trying to be what they have watched in the media. Acts of arrogance, hostility, use of substances are largely drawn from the media by the teens that are not supervised on what is good for their consumption in the media (Beck 15). Development of Medical Conditions One of medical conditions that are threatening the productivity of the teens today is obesity; it is simply the deposition of more fats in the body due to the inactivity of the body. Media, with its tendency of making the teens to be sedentary facilitates the condition that is not only expensive to manage but also forms the basis for the development of other diseases and conditions. When the teens are fond of the internet or broadcasting media, they forget about other life requirement like exercise that is very vital for their health because of the information that is circulated in the media (Manohar). Deceptive and Illusionary Appeals The media is prone of making things superficial and highly appealing to the teens that then fall into the trap without making much inquiry on the side effects. One of the areas where the media exaggerates on beauty issues like advertisement on modeling. There are products that are advertised on the media and the teen’s falls for them in pursuit of the purported results portrayed in the media (Manohar). Fashion and outfit advertised also make the teens to reckon with concocted theories about the results of these adverts without giving them a second thought. Unsuspecting teens will take this to be the gospel truth and fulfill it making them depart from the realities of life thus becoming unproductive people. Distortion of Facts There are many distorted realities by the media that makes the teens appreciate them at the expense of the reality, some of the things that have been misinformed relates to sex. The media, particularly the internet have trivialized the sense of sex and the teens thus take it the other way round (Manohar). Instead of making positive teaching about sex and the dangers that comes with it, they make it basic and flat that seems to have no consequences. Conclusion Therefore, the media has both positive and negative influences in relation to the teen’s development, given that the negative ones are so obsessive and have taken much of the teen’s time; thus, gravitating their morals in a negative way. This is the case with the media today particularly the internet; consequently, much information should be availed into the internet that is constructive to the teens so that the information can be balanced either sides. Work cited Beck, Daniells. "Media can play a helpful role in educating children. (Merchandising) (Brief Article)." Mass Market Retailers 6 Sept. 2004: 21. Print. Ford, Thomas. "Media Can Play Key Role in Youth Tobacco Use, Prevention." The Nation's Health 1 Oct. 2008: 23. Print. Manohar, Uttara. "Media's Effects on Teenagers." Buzzle. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. . Read More