The research question my project will attempt to answer is what effect the media has on youth. Of course, such a topic is extremely broad as the connection between media and youth could entail a significant amount of factors. However, this specific analysis will limit the connection to political and social beliefs, violence or aggressive behavior, sexuality, and health. The impact of the media on youth is a topic that is regularly derided by parents, school systems, politicians, and and political pundits as they attempt to use the need for reduced censorship or greater amounts of censorship within their ideological agendas concerning a wide range of issues, including gun control and juvenile delinquency. Currently, a substantial amount of studies have been conducted that examine the impact of the media on youth. With such a large amount of studies in existence, it is difficult to precisely determine what empirical evidence exists that authentically demonstrates a causal connection between the media and youth behavior. As such, this research study will examine each of the above mentioned categories and indicate which empirical evidence in each of the fields exists that supports claims of their being a causal connection. The report will then synthesize each of these categories and prevent an overall perspective on the impact that the media truly has on youth. It will also suggest ways that parents, school, and other interested parties should approach children’s engagement with the media and whether or not they should actively censor it.
This research question is important for a multitude of reasons. One of the most pressing reasons, particularly in the United States, that examining the connection between the media and youth is important is because of the significant amount of school shootings that have occurred in recent years. While a substantial amount of reasons have undoubtedly factored into these young people engaging in these shootings, one possible contributing factor is their exposure to violent media. Of course, already existing studies have suggested such a connection exists. Paik and Comstock (1994) implemented a study that examined many different research approaches that have considered the impact that the media has on youth. This research found that young people who regularly watched violent television were more likely to engage in aggressive or anti-social behavior. This study was not alone in supporting a connection between the media and violence. Miller, Grabell, Thomas, Bermann, and Graham-Bermann (2012) examined the connection between watching violent media and exhibiting aggressive behavior among pre-school students. Once again, the study results supported the argument that a connection exists between these two factors.
Another reason such a study topic is important is because of the potential connection that exists between the media and youth health. Again, a number of studies have suggested that the media impacts youth health in negative ways. For instance, Bar-on (2000) found that youth who regularly viewed programming in that glamorized smoking were more likely to become smokers. Boyland and Halford (2013) found that youth who regularly watch television were more susceptible to eating unhealthy foods because the advertisements in these commercials greatly supported the consumption of these foods. When these recognitions are coupled with the high amount of time youth spend consuming media, it’s very possible that a great threat exists.
Subsequently, through examining a significant amount of studies that have examined potential connections, the research will be able to provide a roadmap for stakeholders in the issue. Additionally, the research will be significant because it will help people understood more clearly the areas where political pundits or politicians are merely using the connection to advance their own agendas.
References
Bar-on, M.E., 2000. The effects of television on child health: implications and
recommendations. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 83(4), pp.289-292.
Boyland, E.J. and Halford, J.C., 2013. Television advertising and branding. Effects on eating
behaviour and food preferences in children. Appetite, 62, pp.236-241.
Paik, H. and Comstock, G., 1994. The effects of television violence on antisocial behavior: a
meta-analysis1. Communication Research, 21(4), pp.516-546.
Miller, L.E., Grabell, A., Thomas, A., Bermann, E. and Graham-Bermann, S.A., 2012. The
associations between community violence, television violence, intimate partner violence,
parent–child aggression, and aggression in sibling relationships of a sample of
preschoolers. Psychology of Violence,2(2), p.165.
