Media's Positive & Negative Influence on Teenagers

The impact of media on teenagers can have both positive and negative aspects, depending on the activity and the way teenagers view and use the source. With the right approach and perspective, you can tip the scale to the positive side to help your teenager use media appropriately, in a way that will edify.

  1. Print Media vs. Electronic Media

    • Media bombard teenagers in both print and electronic format. Print media includes newspapers, magazines, posters, advertising circulars, books and billboards. Electronic media encompasses television, movies, radio, video games, cellphones and the Internet (including any devices used to access it), according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It may be easier for parents to monitor many types of print media than electronic media because print media is distributed differently than electronic media. This difference may give parents more control over the print media, which can be helpful.

    Content of Media

    • All media, both print and electronic, contain messages that can be either positive or negative. The impact specific media have on a person depends on how the person interprets it, which is an individual process based on the person̵7;s perspective and experiences. One person might experience a negative effect from viewing an advertisement on a billboard while another person might view the same advertisement and see through the sales tactics to understand the underlying intent of the ad, which can be positive. Media that might be negative for one teenager could be positive for another teenager, based on each teenager̵7;s individuality.

    Media Education

    • An important task for parents involves educating teenagers about how to interpret and utilize media in a positive fashion, advises "Understanding the Impact of Media on Children and Teens," a booklet published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Without positive parental influence, it̵7;s likely that teenagers will experience negative influence from media. With media education, teens can learn how to analyze the messages or images they see and hear to discern both the obvious and any hidden messages contained therein. For example, a movie may contain a positive overall message of commitment and family, but if it contains violence, the media may send a negative message about the appropriateness of using violence to attain goals.

    Parental Control

    • Monitoring a teenager̵7;s use of media is an important part of maintaining influence and control over the media usage and keeping it positive, states professors Kaveri Subrahmanyam and Patricia M. Greenfield, writing for The Future of Children website. Place computers and gaming systems in common areas of the home and supervise usage. Monitor cellphone usage by checking your statements carefully. Talk to your teenager about the television and movies she watches ̵1; often just opening dialogue about messages and themes seen can raise a teen̵7;s awareness and help her take away more positives than negatives. Exert time limits on your teen̵7;s usage of electronics. Don̵7;t forget to talk about print advertising you see and start discussions about books and magazines your teen may be reading as well. By monitoring, discussing and limiting access, you can help keep media influence positive.

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