On an average day for children ages eight to eighteen, they are engaged in some form of media for 7.5 hours (Media, Body Image, and Eating Disorders). In the 21st century, children growing up are significantly influenced by media. Media is the main means of mass communication. Media is television, radio, newspaper, magazines, the internet, and so much more. This mass form of communication is a part of everyday life, and is almost impossible to escape. Adolescents are repeatedly exposed to the “perfect body image”. Increasing research shows that the media is a considerable contributor to body dissatisfaction among adolescents.
Media is the most powerful influence to adolescents. People, especially adolescents, are constantly bombarded with pressure …show more content…
Texas A&M performed a study using girls ages 10 to 17. This study asked the girls to rate the level of attractiveness on three of the favorite famous female celebrities. It also evaluated the girls weight, height, and usage of social media. "Our results suggest that only peer competition, not television or social media use, predict negative outcomes for body image," is a direct quote from a study at Texas A&M International University (Peers, Not TV, Influence Girls ' Body Issues: Study). Texas A&M research say that adolescents use media as a platform for peer competition of body image. Yet they quote that peer comptions is the only result of negative body images. Each of these articles all mention how media plays a role in body …show more content…
If all of these articles give credit to the media for causing this problem, it is safe to say that media is one of the main causes. Berninger and the study at Texas A&M International University contradict each other, but both agree media is an issue. If their concepts oppose each other the only argument that still has foundation is media affecting adolescents. With how sizeable the media has expanded, it is exponentially easier to be influenced by the photos and videos adolescents are subjected to everyday. Even if one tries to ignore media influences, they will still be persuaded because the media is such an integral part of our culture. People create the media so people around adolescents are part of the problem.
In conclusion, media definitely plays a negative role on how adolescents view their bodies. Even opposing viewpoints still give credit to the media. There are different ideas on how to fix it but with the media growing larger everyday, there is not a end in sight. This issue should not be taken lightly, now that it is a serious epidemic. Choosing to ignore media is not an option, but the way we react will better help the
Media is the most powerful influence to adolescents. People, especially adolescents, are constantly bombarded with pressure …show more content…
Texas A&M performed a study using girls ages 10 to 17. This study asked the girls to rate the level of attractiveness on three of the favorite famous female celebrities. It also evaluated the girls weight, height, and usage of social media. "Our results suggest that only peer competition, not television or social media use, predict negative outcomes for body image," is a direct quote from a study at Texas A&M International University (Peers, Not TV, Influence Girls ' Body Issues: Study). Texas A&M research say that adolescents use media as a platform for peer competition of body image. Yet they quote that peer comptions is the only result of negative body images. Each of these articles all mention how media plays a role in body …show more content…
If all of these articles give credit to the media for causing this problem, it is safe to say that media is one of the main causes. Berninger and the study at Texas A&M International University contradict each other, but both agree media is an issue. If their concepts oppose each other the only argument that still has foundation is media affecting adolescents. With how sizeable the media has expanded, it is exponentially easier to be influenced by the photos and videos adolescents are subjected to everyday. Even if one tries to ignore media influences, they will still be persuaded because the media is such an integral part of our culture. People create the media so people around adolescents are part of the problem.
In conclusion, media definitely plays a negative role on how adolescents view their bodies. Even opposing viewpoints still give credit to the media. There are different ideas on how to fix it but with the media growing larger everyday, there is not a end in sight. This issue should not be taken lightly, now that it is a serious epidemic. Choosing to ignore media is not an option, but the way we react will better help the