A lot of teenagers are also influenced by the media primarily through magazines, soap operas, and films. Through these areas, they are introduced to a media ideal of what they should look, act and dress like. Pictures of celebrities are shown in all areas of every day life in which they are portrayed as skinny, beautiful, glamorous and wealthy. This media ideal pressurises young people to model themselves on unrealistic images. This has lead to an increase in disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia among young people who are trying to live up to these expectations.
Films also portray romance as always having a ‘fairytale’ ending in which everyone lives ‘happily ever after’. This can lead to people having an unrealistic view of real life. In a study of college age students, 90% of those asked, said that the media does influence they’re perception of romance. This could lead to people being dissatisfied with they’re own relationships as they do not live up to the standards of those shown in films. Sociologists have researched into the main reasons behind the rise in divorce rates, and have found that marriages don’t live up to the expectations people have because of the media ideal of the ‘cereal packet family’.
Teenagers are also persuaded to take part in violent behaviour through the use of video games, and films and television programs of a violent nature. This could have a detrimental effect to the crime levels in society. Games such as Grand Theft Auto promote anti-social behaviour to young people, especially males.
The media also influences people of older age groups, as modern day society places a value on looking young. In magazines and films, we are shown older celebrities who have undergone cosmetic surgery in order to appear younger. This is therefore brought about an increase in cosmetic surgery. However, as this is very expensive, cosmetic companies have introduced products that are intended to slow down the ageing process to the general public. These products include anti-wrinkle cream, hair dyes to cover grey hair, make-up, etc. These are advertised on television and magazines, and therefore are seen by the majority of the public which increases their popularity.
In conclusion, the mass media does have a huge influence on most people in society, especially young people, as they are more inclined to follow current trends. As well as having detrimental effects on society, it can also be used to do good. This has been shown in Live Aid and Band Aid, which was when celebrities grouped together to perform a song which the proceeds would go towards their campaign. They used radio and television to broadcast the importance of their campaign and gain support and money from their audience. This shows how powerful the media is in modern society.
