Impact of Media on the Youth

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Introduction

To control the media is to control the minds of the masses. Over the last decades, various forms of media have taken hold and shaped society in impactful ways. To date, media influences and affects people of all ages, with the youth being the most affected. The youth are not fully mature and developed; therefore, media easily influences them. Positive impacts media has on the youth include the development of social and political sense, self-expression, and health awareness. Negative impacts include the development of erroneous beliefs and negative images and perceptions. Media is a powerful tool that shapes the beliefs and ideas of people. Therefore, there is a need for strict regulation on the information that youth view and engage.

Positive Impacts

The period between adulthood and childhood is a time of rapid emotional and physical changes. These changes tend to overwhelm and confuse individuals in their youth. As such, the ability to express oneself during this development phase is important. Through platforms such as the internet, media has provided the youth with the opportunity and platform for self-expression. Internet tools such as social media platforms and blogs provide the youth with spaces to interact with their peers and share their experiences and emotions. A safe space to share experiences and emotions helps promote confidence and social validation as it is apparent that all people at that age experience confusion (Weinstein, 2018). Self-expression is also important as it helps build self-identity. As the youth continuously express themselves, they can identify and define their values and interests and thus understand themselves.

Media plays an important role in health awareness as governments and health institutions use this platform to run health-related campaigns. Due to the popularity of social media among the youth, the internet has been a crucial source of health information for the youth. A study by Rutgers University found that youth who use social media to gain sexual health information were more likely to practice safe sex than their counterparts (Stevens et al., 2017). Other health-related issues constantly highlighted on the internet include mental problems such as anxiety and depression and diet-related issues such as food addiction and anorexia. Teenagers frequently exposed to information that addresses these issues have a higher chance of making better-informed choices that promote their health.

Emerging technologies have eased communication and the spread of social, development, and political information. Institutions are increasingly using the media to spread information on various issues that affect the world and its populations. Therefore, youth interested in current affairs can interact and engage in topics such as climate change, poverty, elections, gender inequality, and development (Boulianne & Theocharis, 2020). The increased interest and engagement in civic, social, and political life helps the youth develop a social and political sense of self. It also equips them with information and understanding that can help them implement positive change in the future.

Negative Impacts

Besides the stated positive impacts, media is also a source of negative influence. New technologies have made the spread of information quick and easy. As a result, it is now common for false and biased information to spread and reach many people. The youth are more likely to believe this information, negatively influencing their attitudes and beliefs. False information can also result in the adoption of wrong perceptions. For instance, false dieting and nutritional information can influence youth beliefs about foods. These beliefs can result in the youth consuming foods that are bad for their health.

Conclusion

Media has the power to influence the youth’s beliefs, attitudes, and ideas. Media has positive and negative impacts on society, and its influence is most evident among the youth. As young people are impressionable, people need to understand the impact media has on the youth. Understanding these impacts ensures better content regulation, preventing negative influences on the youth.

References

Boulianne, S., & Theocharis, Y. (2020). Young people, digital media, and engagement: A meta-analysis of research. Social Science Computer Review, 38(2), 111-127.

Stevens, R., Gilliard-Matthews, S., Dunaev, J., Todhunter-Reid, A., Brawner, B., & Stewart, J. (2017). Social media use and sexual risk reduction behavior among minority youth: Seeking safe sex information. Nursing Research, 66(5), 368.

Weinstein, E. (2018). The social media see-saw: Positive and negative influences on adolescents’ affective well-being. New Media & Society, 20(10), 3597-3623.