Influence of Media on Children - Research Paper Example

 Influence of Media to Children Advancement in technology has led to the creation of socially important and useful devices, which at times work to the detriment of the society. The effects of various technological devices rely on the way various members of the society make use of them. Most technological innovations occur for the purpose of making life better and more enjoyable to human beings. However, the use of technology has had adverse effects on various its users, especially the children. The media is one such technological aspect that has been manipulated by human beings to produce positive and negative effects on the young generation. Media houses have used technology to develop and adopt certain programs that are either educative or destructive to the social life of children. The negative impacts material aired in the media has dominated over positive influence media has on children. The advertisements and messages spread through the media have had far reaching influences, only comparable to peer influence among the adolescents (Wilson & Calvert, 2010). Media adverts and messages about alcohol, tobacco and general drug use have been blamed for the increased drug abuse among the adolescents. Wilson and Calvert (2010) demonstrate that the media can encourage use of alcohol and general drug abuse by making advertisements that portray drug abuse as normative and casual practice in societies. In addition, creative, informative and attractive use of technology by media houses in making advertisements on how and where to obtain alcohol have attract adolescents to indulge in drug and substance abuse. The Internet being a component of media has been depicted to attract and promote smoking habits among children. Wilson and Calvert (2010) report that website sales of tobacco have exempted age specification on the use of tobacco products thereby providing unrestricted venue for children and adolescents to indulge in tobacco smoking. Wilson and Calvert (2007) further illustrate that some websites have been posting advertisements of tobacco alongside muscular males, thus portraying healthy nature of individuals who use tobacco. Similarly, thin, splendid and attractive females have been included alongside website advertisement of tobacco. The adverts tend to make the adolescents to engage in alcohol and cigarette use oblivious of the underlying dangers. Wilson and Calvert (2010) with reference to the content analysis of primetime broadcast television of 1998, report that a whopping 77% of television programs involved advertisements concerning alcohol use. Greatest number of characters in the programs aired by that specific television involved hard drunkards most of whom portrayed positive behaviors with very few illustrated to depict negative behaviors. Such advertisements can lead to misunderstanding among the adolescents who may perceive alcohol as pleasurable substance to consume. Wilson and Calvert (2010) add that whenever the negative effects of alcohol are shown in the television programs, certain unrealistic solutions are usually set to build trust of the consumers. This fact has encouraged as well as attracting children who view such programs into the use of alcohol with strong hopes for solution in case of health deterioration resulted by alcohol consumption. Furthermore, media products such as videos and television programs involving music that make great of use of alcohol as the most popular substance in use to perfect the performance of the characters. On viewing such programs and videos, youths may be lured into drinking alcohol emulate the characters in the watched video. Wilson and Calvert (2010) also mention that some films viewed by the youths have top performers participating in great consumption of alcohol with attribute of performers as wealthy, attractive and involved in romantic sexual relationship than the non-drunkard characters. Such portrayals have worked to convince the youths of unrealistic advantages of alcohol consumption thus attracting most of the youths in developing alcoholic behaviors. Wilson and Calvert (2010) with reference to a certain study conducted between 1999 and 2001, demonstrate that most popular films of the time line involved high number of youths drinking alcohol but with few reports of regrets and ruins over the use of alcohol. Such occurrence can attract the youths into uncontrolled alcohol consumption due to reduced level of risks expectation. Furthermore, Wilson and Calvert (2010) with reference to the content analysis of teen centered films, report that most of the youths and core participants were depicted smoking marijuana, which is ought to have heightened the level of their popularity. Such facts have attracted youths into practicing use and abuse of marijuana and other complimentary drugs. Marc, Aldrich and Gibson (2007) disclose that airing of violent movies; films and programs through television have led to massive destruction of children who view the films. With reference to the media studies of 1960s, Marc, Aldrich and Gibson (2007) demonstrate that young children who get exposure to violent films and television programs are likely to exercise aggression on dolls. Rao (2009) illustrate that exposing children to violent videos and general media products have possibilities of influencing children to emulate the violent behaviors as well as develop antisocial behaviors. Zimmerman (2007) ascertains that violent television programs viewed by young children have contributed to violent behaviors among children on attaining adulthood. According to Jacobson (2008), some radio programs and videos have faced blames from parents for causing terrible nightmares to the children after listening and watching the programs. Additionally, Jacobson (2008) reports that certain television programs have witnessed children neglecting homework as well as physical activities that is vital for mental and physical wellbeing of children. Furthermore, Jacobson (2008) extends blames to the media houses for broadcasting adult programs that when viewed by children leads to mental and psychological depression of the particular children. Moreover, media postings of violent sexual programs have led to memory impairment of children who view such programs. Media adverts involving new products and product promotion has led to increased demand of children on certain products that are harmful to their health. This has also been evident in supermarkets when children compel their parents to buy products that were not initially in the budget list (Kelly, Tuner and McKenna, 2006). In spite of the negative influence attributed to media on children, there are also certain positive influences. Wilson and Calvert (2010) observe some internet websites for the anti-smoking messages by posting images of individuals who succumbed to the negative health status due to smoking tobacco. Internet websites have also been posting online cessation programs designated to discourage adolescents from indulging in tobacco smoking. Inclusively, Wilson and Calvert (2010) demonstrate that television comedies and dramas that involve youths who drink alcohol usually end up with victims undergoing difficult moments. Such messages have worked to discourage the youth from taking alcoholic drinks. Media sources such as radio and billboards have been used to present certain images that depict perverse effects of drug use on the health of human beings. Media houses have reportedly aired various programs intended to challenge parents to take steps and talk to their children concerning the harmful effects of drug use on the society. According to Marc, Aldrich and Gibson (2007), certain computer games often played by children are quantified to have positive influence as they help children to develop positive skills of reading and visualizing images in three dimensional contexts and be able to track different images simultaneously. Marc, Aldrich and Gibson (2007) further illustrate that use of the use of computers among children has positive influence on the children as it enhances academic performance of particular children as well as facilitating social interaction, cooperation and formation of friendships. In the views of Kirsh (2006), media violence has the significance of helping children feel strong and powerful. Media violence helps in reducing negative emotions and aggression among the growing children thereby enabling children to develop strategies and techniques of dealing with anxieties and fears in life. Violent media programs aired through television networks and some viewed in videos have enabled particular children develop self-efficacy that have been attributed to children success in school in different aspects (Kirsh, 2006). With self-efficacy, children have been able to be tolerant and express anger in appropriate way. High level of self-efficacy linked to exposure to media violence has helped children to resist peer influence, which they deem to have negative impact on their social life. Cheung (2009) notes that exposure of children to certain media content lead to high level of creativity and innovation among the children who repeatedly use particular media materials. Cheung (2009) explains that advanced media technology has helped school going children in participating in video creation and editing. Cheung (2009) further observes that exposure of children to media materials have facilitated of spiritual teachings to children, which has impacted on the positive growth of the particular children. In conclusion, media content has both negative and positive influence on the social life of children. To start with, violent programs aired on television and recorded on videos can make a child develop hostile motive and violent behaviors that may not be socially tolerable. Moreover, media advertisements involving promotion of alcoholic products may lead to mislead children to engage in careless consumption of alcohol on the wrong perception that alcohol is safe for all ages. Advertisements of tobacco alongside pictures of masculine males and superb ladies may misinform children that tobacco consumption leads to beauty and strong body. This may largely attract as well as encourage further consumption of tobacco and complimentary drugs. Media advertisements of products aired on television have negatively changed consumption habits of children since they persistently compel their parents to buy products that were not in the budget list. It is also noteworthy to state that violent television programs and video recordings may enable children to develop courage, confidence and self control when approached by certain perverse circumstances. Media houses have also been used to spread spiritual teachings that help in impacting positive attitudes into growing children. Reference Cheung, C. (2009). Media Education in Asia. New York: Springer Publisher. Jacobson, L. (2008). Children and consumer culture in American society: a historical handbook and guide. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group. Kelly, J., Turner, J., & McKenna, K. (2006). What parents think: Children and healthy eating? British Food Journal, 108(5), 413-423. Kirsh, S. (2006). Children, adolescents, and media violence: a critical look at the research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Marc, P. Aldrich, C. & Gibson, D. (2007).Games and simulations in online learning: research and development frameworks. Hershey, PA; Ideal Group Inc. Rao, S. (2009). The international handbook of children, media and culture. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 86(2), 458-459. Wilson, B. & Calvert, S. (2010).The Handbook of Children, Media, and Development. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Publisher. Zimmerman, F. & Christakis, D. (2007). Violent Television Viewing During Preschool Is Associated With Antisocial Behavior during School Age. Official Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics, 120 (5). Read More