‘Why study the media?’
The term ‘media’ is defined by the means of mass communication that reach or influence people widely. Furthermore, it can be a varied collection of organisations that share the production, publication and distribution of media texts. Depending on a businesses’ target audience, they can consume media texts differently from a wide range of platforms. There are two main types of media, namely ‘Traditional media’ is given to the industries that existed before the internet, for instance; radio, print, magazine/comics, computer games and television. Alternatively, in the recent years there have been emerging formats and platforms that have developed due to advanced technology and the rise of the internet, the ‘New media’. These include; websites, blogs, vlogs, online games, podcasts and apps. A beneficial use of this are they can involve interactive elements with the public online such an audience feedback.
Personally, I believe the media possess a large impact on the young generation. Although the new media and its advanced uses can be extremely beneficial to teenagers in learning, discovering and reaching out for a different kind of help than to the prior tradition media – I believe the negatives outweigh the positives especially on social media platforms. It is proven that the global network channel ‘Instagram’ is one of the worst apps for young people’s mental health. Consequently, causing feelings of anxiety, depression and in particular many adolescents struggling with body image and low self-esteem. However, 33% of young people online claim that information online about mental illnesses and public figures who influence and aid these types of condition are one of the most supportive steps to their recovery.
Yet, they are intoxicated to believe the images posted by celebrities is what they must look like. Those viewers usually have little knowledge of the intense workout and extreme diet the models suffer, alongside a major amount of Photoshop. Unfortunately, we are conditioned to believe that the amount of likes and followers we receive determine our self-worth. Over 90% of 16-24 years of age today use the internet mostly for social media. Snapchat can also be viewed as damaging towards young peoples minds simply because these are both image-based, of which at times can be more effective and long-lasting that sending a message. Moreover, cyberbullying has become increasingly common using social media sites as more than 1 in 3 people have experienced threats online. It causes depression amongst young teenagers, sadly leading to many cases of suicide. Females are more likely to receive online abuse than males, of those only 1 in 10 teens tell a parent. Overall, in 2016/2017 there were over 24,000 ChildLine counselling sessions with children about bullying.
On the other hand, I believe everyone can benefit from the media in different ways, for example educationally and learning about the history of the world; since this is where the most up to date information is posted. Also, it enables family and friends to communicate across the world, in terms of business or enjoyment. Where as previously, letters were sent which could take up to weeks to receive. Now a day, messages are instantaneous, further benefitted by video calls as well. For instance, business employees may not have to travel so far to a meeting and instead can discuss over the internet.
The mass media are an agent of socialisation which can heavily influence our political views, tastes in popular culture, views of women, beliefs and practices. Especially, demonstrated through television, shows, movies, music and websites. As a result, this could cause individuals to pick and choose who they communicate with purely based on their looks. Based from facts, social connections are important to happiness, health and overall feelings of connectivity to society. With out these, people can suffer from isolation, decreased self-esteem and ultimately a shorter lifespan. In particular, now a day more teenagers are beginning to feel lonely as most young people spend their free-time on their technical devices instead of physically going outside and meeting new people like the times before any social media was viral. Therefore, adolescents are trapped in their comfort zone and are struggling to speak to new people in contact, unlike messaging people behind a screen. In addition to, the effect of media such as TV can lead to childhood obesity, deleterious effects on learning and academic performance. Also, parents need to be aware that restricted age certificated on certain games and movies are deliberately placed there for a reason, for example an aged 18 game console which includes aggressive imagery, can increase 12 years old violent behaviour.
A British online newspaper, ‘Independent’ published a media-based news story on the 3rdSeptember 2018, upon the tradition of grandparents passing down advice is being reversed. The headline, “More than 75% of grandparents learn about technology from grandchildren” clearly demonstrates how advanced technology has become over a decade, further supporting from above the advantaged of the media. Meaning, different types of media can teach children a variety of skills than can freely benefit another individual. Although, 1 in 3 that took part claimed, “they had passed on far more useful knowledge to their grandchildren than they had received”, suggesting that the media may not be entirely helpful in comparison to previous years where more children would enjoy reading and playing outside all day, with little TV. The study was carried out to mark the launch of Disney On Ice’s new event, in which Moana will appear live for the first time in the United Kingdom. Billie Faiers, model and TV star in ‘TOWIE’ joined Disney with her daughter ‘in their hunt for outstanding grans and granddads’. The specialty of a social media influencer being commissioned in an Disney sponsor can target parents to read about her article and then take into consideration their children in a time where the festive season is near.
The first known social media platform was invented in 1978 named the BBS (computerised Bulletin Board System). It was created by Randy Seuss and Ward Christensen to arrange events and share information with their friends. By the early 1990s a variety of platforms for instance GeoCities, of which allowed users to design their own websites and Blogger – one of the first blogging communities thrived. In 1997, AOL enabled an instant messaging service, meaning users could chat and socialise in an online setting. In 2000, the network Friendster was launched and only after three months it possessed over three million users.
However, in the future I believe media will be highly advanced than ever, with other medias such as newspapers and the television having little consumption by the public as there is an increasing number of people watching programmers and movies on their devices instead of finding and using different stations. Alternatively, for our future generations the media could potentially become extremely dangerous in terms of cyber-bullying or hacking/virus’.
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