Effects of media on youth……..

The influence of the media on development of children is profound. Thus it is important to discuss with parents about their child’s exposure to media and to provide guidance on age to ensure the appropriate use of all media including television, radio, music, video games and the internet as well.

Television.

Television has the potential to generate both positive and negative effects and many studies have looked on the impact of television on children and adolescents. Not all television programs are bad but the showing the negative effects of exposure to violence, inappropriate and offensive language are convincing. As we all know that there is a relationship between watching violent television programming and increase in violent behavior by children.

Learning.

Television and internet can be a powerful teacher.  The internet has a significant potential for providing children with access to educational information and can be compared with a huge home library.Programs like ‘My world’ are an example of how youths can learn valuable lessons about cooperation and kindness. Moreover, the educational value of ‘Super Spellers’ has been shown to improve the reading, learning and the speaking skills of its viewers. So at times, healthy television can be a beneficial teaching tool.

Videos games.

Some video games may help the development of fine motor skills and coordination, but many of the concern is on the negative effects of it. Violent video games should be discouraged because they have harmful effects on children’s mental developments. As they grow up, their behavior would be violent.

Nutrition.

Since media takes away time from children which they usually spent on play and exercise. Children who are addicted to media are regarded as less physically fit. Through media, children learn about tobacco and alcohol use; whereby they tend to try it and the behavior they depict are violent at the end.

So that is why media literacy is important in students who usually surf net when they have to research for their assignments, presentations or when they need to clarify something. But youths are unaware of their sites they are not supposed to barge in. media literacy helps us understand how media create culture. Media also act as a watch dog over government acts.

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