It is important to focus attention on adolescence smoking behavior because “adolescence is the period in which many youngsters begin to experiment with substance such as smoking” (Harakeh, Scholte, Vermulst Hein de Vries & Engels, 2010, p. 141). Considering the effect of smoking on lives of young adolescences it is evident that there is a need to critically conduct studies on the main prevention concepts to smoking initiation in youths. “Social Influences are assumed to be one of the core concepts in extensive list of risk and protective factors ” (see Petraitis et. al. (year) , as cited in de Leeuw, Scholte, Harakeh, van Leeuw & Engels, 2008).
On the other hand, television can “inform teens about risks and foster communication with parents”, which is a good influence on teens (544). She supports this claim using two recent studies. Those studies examine “the impact of television sex on teenagers’ sexual beliefs and activities” and “the results supported the view that watching shows with sexual content may influence teen sexual behavior, but also found that some viewing effects can be positive” (542). In the first survey, she points out the relationship between percentage of virgins initiating intercourse in subsequent year and age; the survey shows “teens who saw the most sex on television were twice as likely to initiate intercourse within the next year as were those who saw the least” (544). Finally, she closes her argument by suggesting that “teens’ expose[r] to sexual content on television” should be reduced, and that people should “…explore greater use of entertainment shows to
Not only has “sexting” transitioned to name calling and bullying in high school, but also teens younger than 18 could be charged with child pornography and sent to juvenile jail. Worst of all it has lead to death. Now that teens and parents are becoming more familiar with these stories about “sexting,” concerned parents, schools and anyone who really cares is trying to take a stand. Most times teens are into watching MTV, so what better television station to get the message across about the dangers in “sexting”? MTV aired a half hour special called, “Sexting In America: When Privates Go Public.” They say, “it’s a good reminder for teens that taking and sending nude pictures is never a good idea” (Magid 1).
Teenage Pregnancy and the Media There is a great debate on whether or not mass media has an influence on teenage pregnancy. A study done by the RAND Corporation shows that teens are twice as likely to have sex or engage in sexual acts if they see similar sexual behavior in the media. Many objects in the media that involve sex target teens. Reality TV shows and teen dramas often portray the "cool kids" as the ones who are having sex. Today’s teens are highly influenced by what they see in the media and this can change their behavior and choices.
There are several reasons why teenagers could give to drinking alcohol which include recreation, rebellion, and just plain boredom. Other reasons could be a loved one passing away, fighting with parents, divorce, and separation of family. The main factor of teenage drinking is influence from their peers. Teenagers in our society are pressured into trying out alcohol for the first time to see how it tastes like. If they hear that a couple of cool or popular kids drink alcohol then thye are going to want to do it too.
Mass media manufacture crime in order to appeal to young audiences Mass media has an impact on today’s society video games, film, music, reality TV, soaps are forms of media which interest and draw in young audiences. in my essay I will explore and view several theories put forward by social theorists such as Merton’s strain theory, Mass society theory and look into the works of Mike Presdee’s carnival of crime and how that relates to young individuals and the Jeff Ferall’s Cultural criminology. I am going to focus heavily on what causes young audiences to imitate actions displayed in media sources why young people find them to be so appealing. Why they play to certain types of video games which others might find frightening and offensive what affects and control the media has on young individuals and how they interpret the story, I will then view my discussed theory’s and authors in a conclusion The first theory I will begin my essay with is Robert Merton’s advanced strain theory/ anomie. Merton stated that the strain theory was a way that individuals had developed a strain in society, certain individuals that lack the formality to gain goals or gain money and develop a particular status.
The effect of Sex and Violence on Young People Sex and violence is evident in today’s media. Sex and violence is on television, video games, music videos, and movies. Ask yourself how the increase of sex and violence in the media is negatively affecting our future generation. There have been a number of research studies that indicate that sex and violence in the media is negatively affecting our young people. Research indicates young people’s exposure to sex and violence has caused increased violence and health risk behaviors such as risky sexual behavior, body image distortion, substance abuse, and obesity.
Considering the explosive rise to prominence that video games had, people began to become concerned with the effects, if any, of video games on the health, behavior, and social skills of adolescents. Many say that video games have massively negative impacts on adolescents and sometimes even adults. However that could not be further from the truth. In fact, video games can have some extremely positive impacts on whoever may be playing them, namely physical, mental, and social effects. Video games can help with a person’s hand/eye coordination, aid with stress and anger release, and develop the social capabilities of an individual.
Teenagers who while away time watching television are at a higher risk of developing obesity seeing that inactivity is a major factor when slumped in front of the television advertising and movies propel the idea of bad habits being “cool”, this has caused teenagers to pick up their first cigarette as early as fourteen years old. Even the use of alcohol and drugs are creeping in at an early age. The influence is heavy when it comes to music videos, explicit movies, advertising and television shows. Teenagers often watch commercials that plant a seed of thought into their minds about what they have to buy and use as opposed to what they actually need. Fashion magazines are also to blame for
This event showed the growing interest of Americans in television broadcasts, but consequently may have triggered some future negative issues for young people. Marika Tiggermann and Amanda S. Pickering, authors of Role of Television in Adolescent Women’s Body Dissatisfaction and Drive for Thinness, suggest that television has become the most prominent and influential form of the mass media, especially for young people (200). As the boom of television has occurred, the media has developed a negative influence on adolescent teens because it manipulates their minds by promoting a perfect body image, displaying unrealistic lifestyles, and presenting dangerous behaviors. Television tends to promote “perfect,” unrealistic, body images. Amy I. Nathanson and Renée A. Botta, authors of Shaping the Effects of Television on Adolescents’ Body Image Disturbance: The Role of Parental Mediation, came up with a simple definition of body image: “Body image is an overall concept consisting of related but distinct dimensions addressing feelings, thoughts, and perceptions about body size and shape” (305).