by Russell Waldron

Created on: October 24, 2009   Last Updated: October 26, 2009

Do you think you are doing a good job of protecting your teen from media influence? Certain you know how to combat media influence on your teen's lifestyle? You may need to think again. Although a a host of concerned, well-meaning parents go to extreme lengths to protect their teens from over-exposure to sex, drugs, violence, alcoholism, profanity and so forth in the media, this may not be ample protection from the influence the media can have on our teens' mental and physical health.

One needs to take a closer look at the subliminal messages the media often conveys to our children. Teens in particular are frequently watching television or using the Internet. Unfortunately, this is where they become bombarded with an endless stream of marketing messages. Focus is frequently placed on a teen's looks, size, height, shape, fashion sense and so much more. Is there any wonder we now see bulimic and anorexic children as young as six years of age?

Each and every magazine, book, billboard, radio, and newspaper carries a host of communications which all have a motive behind them. This is where subliminal messages come into the equation, as many of these messages are not as obvious as they should be. Look at billboards, packaging crates, video games and the Internet to see exactly what your teens are frequently subjected to. Media designers know how to play the game well and know that, first and foremost, they must catch their viewers'/readers' interest. They use a great assortment of techniques to hold them. This can be anything from general points of view to amazing graphics, lifestyles and moral values, fashion tips etc. The outcome is that teens are highly influenced by these messages. They impact their thoughts and decisions and frequently end up shaping our teen's persona.

Media influence can be detrimental to the vulnerable young teen. They are relatively impressionable and easily influenced in many cases. It is said that teens learn social skills through observation and mimicking the behaviour of others. Unfortunately, they often mimic the ones who can be the most detrimental to their health, and that is the media itself. Renowned psychologist Albert Bandura, Ph.D is said to have proved, through his studies, that children are very likely to imitate violent behaviour they view through the media. Further studies showed that children who are exposed to violence within the media are more prone to aggression. These teens see aggression as the only way to deal with

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>