The presence of mass media as a tool of communication has increased largely because of the technological innovations consistently being introduced not only in advancing the productivity rate of media organizations but also in expanding the capacity of the various media outlets to include a wider range of topics (Hudson, 1986). The scope of television in the society is perhaps one of the most consistent fields which are debated, talked about and most controversial in level of the society. The media, being the main source of information has proved its ability in influencing the masses whether it is on positive or negative transformation.
Studies have also shown that these influences are not demonstrated in a certain group of people or a single level of society, but it defines on all stages of any race or of any age. With this, the regulatory commission of media broadcasting and entertainment have been alarmed with the fact that the expansion of the influence of media to individuals is becoming uncontrollable hence the shows aired turn into an ocean of liberal possibilities leading the predicament of the matter to an undeniably tough test to cure the negative-influence-sickness of media to the society (Murray & Ouellette, 2004).
Further, mass media has advanced in terms of its expanse of reach in terms of technological innovations in the last few decades. With such expansion, representations of array of layers of portrayals and illustrations in all fields from the media have also risen (Klapper, 1950). The movie industry in the United States had been one of the top exporters and income-generating areas of the country (Akre & Wilson, 2006). Its vast influence on the contemporary society conducts a huge impact on how the society is to internalize every movie by which they are able to watch. It is evident on trend, fashion and even on metropolitan gossip.
Given the fact that movies vary in theme, in the message which it plans to convey, the 21st Century masses are believed to be in a state of threat on the increase of violence and other lawful circumstance which now places the world at the stake of conviction over what to watch, and what to make the children watch (Sharma & Dlouhy, 2004). With this expansion, the subjects incorporated into the mass media has also been augmented (Graber, 1980) such that former topics that were once rarely untouched have now been constantly infused with unceasing publicity such as those that tackle Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Advent of media on the contemporary society The expansion of the scope of influence of media in the society is perceivably an innovative yet deliberative matter since that the influences which is seemingly gives is already reaching even the minds of those who does not truly understand the essence or who cannot comprehend the real extent of the concepts which individuals happen to see on television. Electronic media’s advent and the consistent rise of age’s liberalism had endured in a profound argumentative impact with regard to social interaction as well as with cultural identity.
The changes made by mass media are evidently found on a series of notions due to consciousness, certain perceptions on reality and the palpable alterations of the masses’ individual lives concurrent on what had reconstituted by the mentioned technological change (Palmer & Young, 2003). Technological or digital innovation dwelled on to by human beings had been observed to have been conducting a protective bubble of fixed racial, cultural and ethnic identity resulting to a sense of detachment which lies on the physical state of the screen persona as well as with the transcends in the reality of social culture (Barker & Petley, 2001).
Children as media audience There exist several audiences in media broadcasting. Given the fact that media caters several forms, trends and styles or kinds of information and ideas to be aired to the masses—and the commencement of cable television and mobile forms of data storage—it is inevitable for children to discover the wonders of television. Moving forward to the new age, even games which are before through physical interaction alone are sought on video—mobile or fixed in houses—thus making the transfer of information or of recreation boundless in context.
Moreover, children’s exposure to television does not promise “total” supervision hence in the case of the general public, children are allowed to browse channels on the television even without the presence of an elder. In this scenario, the child may be able to watch “scenes” which are not advisable for them—and with the liberalism and so-called open-mindedness of parents nowadays—surveys and sociological studies show that most of the typical families with television give their children the absolute freedom of “television recreation” to be able to compensate their time of absence due to work.
Positive influences of media to children’s development The intersections of the new media coherent with the transformation of relationships among individuals were seen to be among aesthetic traditions, context on contemporary matters and different forms of speculative futures (“The National Entertainment State,” 2006). The effects of media on cultural views and perceptions of people have been constantly changing on to how the general media’s trend is now being implemented.
An example of such would be best illustrated on many immigrants and workers in the United States who came from other 3rd World Countries. According to survey, the impact of constant exposure on television or media mediums caused them to become more liberated and open (Sharma & Dlouhy, 2004) to some sort, given the fact that what they tend to often see on the television portray the reality of today’s generation for reasons which are all inter-related in a web of complex facts, figure and situations – tracing back on the history of television or entertainment, per se’.
Media has nevertheless commenced a whole new connection between nations and between cultures enabling those who have access on international channels to be educated with multifarious details on different culture and as a matter of fact, educational not only to children but to all levels of individuals. Negative influences of media violence to children and the society However, the broad and expanded influence of media does not come in full handy.
The level of morality of individuals are conceived to be one by which their respective behavior are dependently being implied to. With regard to behavioral psychology, it had been stressed that an individual’s personality is the manifestation of the influences which one had been able to acquire all throughout his childhood carried until adulthood (Wright, 1975). Americans’ somewhat insatiable appetite for violence had been depicted and described in the violence saturate of their culture.
In an article written by Lillian BeVier, she elaborated various examples on how media had taken a huge part on violence in today’s generation. Her findings led her to an echelon of realistic and obvious results such as: songs urging to rape women, killing police officers, committing suicide, and all other heinous crimes which are said to be the message conveyed by some songs (Holmes, 2004).
However, the issue of violence being a triggering factor for such violence were not thoroughly given substantial evidence with regards to the exposure on media, she had clearly emphasized that there is a need for the government, the Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, nor any state legislature to provide the discretionary and lawful measures as having to be given the power to legislate such constraints to avoid producers or purveyors commit such insatiable mistakes on the field of media communication.
Additionally, the impressions left by media and its impact on the society had been conclusively found that perhaps one of the major reasons for such was the extremist rhetorical views from talk shows viewed by the audience. Sometimes, the openness and extreme liberalism of a person, being shared on television are serving as a guide or something which is then mimicked (Greenwald, 1992).
In relation to such scenario, it shall then be one by which those who do not possess the higher level of rationality and understanding is most likely to follow what they believed were “right” and “factual” statements and examples, giving it a ticket on the world of crime. It may not be a total form of proof for such acts, but it is clear that an ounce of influence may result on to the transformation of individuals, thus, only if it shall be given proper guidance that such “negative” transformation shall be avoided (Greenwald, 1992).
Juvenile violence caused by mimicking media figures Juvenile justice system is aimed towards rehabilitating these young criminals, since they are not yet of the right age, and assumed to be not in the right frame of mind. But they could relinquish their hold on these criminals depending on the weight of the crime, or the court waives to do so (Burns, 1994). There is legislation for the protection, care, and custody of these children under their jurisdiction, since they are the ones that manage these legal concerns.
People often deal with this delinquency problem by looking at the root of the problem: society and its components. People are driven into delinquency by various factors, including their outlook in the society and intervention by other people. In order to solve the problem of delinquency, these issues should be properly taken care off. People should start with their own homes and see whether they have proper communication with their children.
Another is making sure that the environment is safe, free from other factors that could elicit delinquency. If it still couldn’t be managed, then that’s the time we need professional help. The authorities are more than willing to help, especially if the people are cooperating with them. There should be partnership with the authorities and the locals in order to solve the problem of juvenile delinquency.