Research on the impact of media icons on young people's growth could be better. Adolescents' parasocial interactions with their favorite celebrities, often known as "secondary attachments," are a major factor. It was speculated that admiration for famous people would mirror the shift from parental to peer relationships and be correlated with maturing emotional autonomy. After adjusting for other factors, including age, it was revealed that a tendency toward high connection to peers and low attachment to parents was a strong predictor of interest in famous people.
Low levels of security and proximity best predicted intense individual interest in celebrities, but other patterns were identified depending on the functions of celebrity attachment.
The media heavily impact adolescents' lives today. A large portion of young people's waking hours is spent consuming media like television, video games, tablets, and smartphones for entertainment and knowledge. Today's adolescents spend more than eleven hours per day consuming media. The pervasiveness of media could significantly influence adolescents' psychological and social maturation. Adolescents' identities, sense of self-worth, and opinions of their parents and peers may all be influenced by their exposure to the media. A definitive description of adolescence, however, remains elusive.
Teens and preteens can be discerning audiences and do not blindly accept what others post or say in the media. You have the power to equip people with the tools they need to navigate the persuasion tactics of the media successfully.
There can be a conscious and direct effort on the part of the media to shape the minds of preteens and teenagers. For instance, marketing campaigns frequently target young people of all ages, indicating that young people (those in the pre-teen and teen range) are becoming increasingly image- and brand-aware. Indirect media influence exists. Sexualized photographs and videos on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube are one example. News reports, films, video games, and song lyrics may feature graphic violence or use obscene language. The media's influence in this age group might provide the message that behaviors and appearances are "normal,", especially to those in the preteen and adolescent range.
Media, including social networking sites, can have a constructive effect on the development and maturation of the minds of preteens and teenagers.
Citizenship − Teens and preteens who read and watch the news are more likely to care about global warming and other pressing political and social issues. The media can inspire people to be more active participants in their communities.
Health and Lifestyle − Adolescents and preteens can learn valuable lessons about health and wellness from media outlets, including social media and traditional news outlets. Some examples of such messages include those that stress the importance of maintaining healthy food and exercise routines and positive, mutually respected relationships among young people. Whether it is the depiction of sexuality in a film like Bohemian Rhapsody, gender in Ride Like a Girl, or ethics on a television show like The Good Place, good tales on screen may help preteens and teenagers explore aspects of identity like these. Your time spent watching these shows with your kid can be used to have meaningful conversations about important topics.
Pre-teen and adolescent viewers may be influenced unfavorably by media portrayals of positive self- and body-image, health, and civic engagement.
How One Perceives Oneself and One's Body − The media and advertising may negatively influence your child's sense of self-worth and body image. Your kid could start to question their value if they spend less time online, especially if they see a lot of carefully staged photographs. Your child's self-perception and connection with food may also be affected if they are regularly exposed to unrealistically "thin" or "muscular" body types. When there is no one to challenge messages like "thin is beautiful," they may have more of an impact
Health and Lifestyle Issues − The media, especially social networks, influence preteens' and teenagers' decisions about their health and well-being. Binge eating, smoking, vaping, drinking, and drug usage are just some behaviors that can be normalized by the media's messaging and content.
Citizenship − To develop into responsible adults, preteens and teenagers require access to reliable information. However, there is the potential for media platforms like social media to be abused during sensitive periods like elections and beyond. Warning: Fake news and deep fakes about politicians, public figures, and celebrities could mislead your child. It is also feasible for online networks to be incubators for racism and other forms of intolerance.
Celebrities and other influential people in pop culture can greatly affect preteens and teens. Young people, especially those in their pre-teen and teen years, may be influenced by the choices made by celebrities and social media influencers they follow and admire. This can have unintended consequences, as seen with the dangerous antics of YouTube star Logan Paul. However, there are many famous people whose lives, ideals, and behaviors can serve as examples, such as YouTuber Elise Ecklund. Young adults should know that certain celebrities and social media influencers receive compensation for promoting the things they use or sell.
Can teens imagine a perfect day in a world devoid of media? They can choose from a diverse array of fun pursuits. Students were very imaginative as they considered what they might do in such a situation, listing activities such as sports, walking around town, hiking, having barbecues, reading, and studying more. However, others said they would stay in bed all day and drink. Simply put, we need to consider if things are better with or without the media.
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