How Influential the Media on the Teens Are?

The influence of media is gradually permeated our work, study and every corner of our life. All kinds of diversified media form appear continuously; we would like to write comment on BBS, upload or watch the video, all these have become part of our daily life. Therefore, the teens will be effected by the media unavoidably.

It has been a hot topic discussed heatedly for the time being that how indeed the media influence on our teens.

Different people come up with different opinions. The following passages are two different comments given by several different people.

One, Teens is the most influenced and the easiest to be influenced by the media. The media influence the way they dress, talk and conduct themselves. From the latest trends to the coolest celebrities, they imitate what they see; whether it's Katie Holmes's new haircut or the pink shirt that Christina Aguilera wore. So in the same way, the teens follows those more serious actions like carrying arms or doing drugs could be copied as well.

Young people are impressionable. Therefore, some request that the media should take responsibility by changing some of the content of their shows especially those for teens. They are huge consumers of media, so networks should show them respect by promoting positive images. A lot of parents and teachers think some shows confuse the lines between entertainment and life. The producers know their audiences are young, so they should realize that teens watching "reality" shows might not be able to tell the difference between fantasy and fiction.

Opposing voices have also come from others. They think that they use the media--magazines, television and movies--to connect to one another and to the world; so naturally, they're influenced by the images of the media present. For example, a boy would be lying if he said he didn't want to be like Brad Pitt. Pitt's flawless style, good looks and moneymaking talent seem to be defined as what's "cool".

Nevertheless, those teens hold that the media only provide information, what they as viewers do with that knowledge is up to them. They have to learn to make their own choices and accept responsibility for their actions. To blame entertainment figures for certain crimes committed by teens is funny. It's not the fault of TV. Media are an expression of our culture--not the cause. It's time for us to stop making the media a scapegoat for our nation's problems.

It's not the media's job to make sure kids understand what they're watching; that responsibility belongs to parents. Parents and schools should dedicate more time to establishing clear rules of discipline. The influence of parents and teachers--the teens' true role model--carries more weight with teenagers than what they hear on the radio or see at the movies from the computer (http://www.dinodirect.com/se-laptop/ ) or TV.