Mai Dori

Synthesis: Media and Its Effects

1/27/15

1. There are 4.8 billion mobile users but only 4.2 billion people with a toothbrush (Bullas).
2. 250 million photos are uploaded every day to Facebook
3. people who are involved with social media websites are 14% more likely to say their lives
are very stressed, while those completely out of the loop are 28% more likely to say their
lives are, not at all stressed.
4. In a recent survey by Teen People magazine, 27% of the girls felt that the media pressures
them to have a perfect body.
5. 69% of girls in one study said that magazine models influence their idea of a perfect body
shape.
6. 66% of children (ages 10 to 16) surveyed say that their peers are influenced by TV shows
7. 47% of American adults used social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter,
LinkedIn,

We live in an ever-changing society, developing, producing, and creating new ideas. The
translation of ideas has evolved into an ever present media, whether it be social media, printed
media, propaganda, advertisements, it all fits under the same very impactful umbrella term
media. Society seems so heavily affected by this new phenomenon and a debate arises, are the
medias affects on society positive or negative? The impact created by the media has the power to
change the world yet, destroy it at the same time. The ability to globally send information has
taken such a toll on the world around us that will either be proven as helpful or hurtful.The
opportunity to delve deeper into this pressing matter lies within the pages of this chapter. By

Mai Dori

Synthesis: Media and Its Effects

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using excerpts from different articles this chapter presents all the needed information to decide
the ultimate effects of media.
Social media has seemingly put a strain on those heavily involved in it. It is as if those
logged on to social media networks experience more stress. Why Do Social Media Networks
Increase Stress by John Dick analyzes the life of those who don't belong to social media cites as
opposed to those that do. The article explains that people who are involved with social media
websites are 14% more likely to say their lives are very stressed, while those completely out of
the loop are 28% more likely to say their lives are, not at all stressed. People become so
entertained in vicariously living through others by looking at previously posted pictures, that
many times, one feels the stress to paint a self portrait just as elaborate. It's evident that the more
we pay attention to our friends' activities, tastes, and possessions, the more stress we report in
our lives. The media is omnipresent and it cant be avoided. We look at the people and things
portrayed in front of us, no matter how fake, and confuse it for reality (Mondal). We allow these
photoshopped images of mean girls and Barbies to dictate our future, evidently causing more
stress and unhappiness. As a result, the cultural values that the media supports and which are
taking root in society in modern times are superficial and oriented towards money and glamour,
(Mondal).
Another way to perceive the effects of media is to look at the stereotypes. Picture the
image of the constantly texting teenager with the five hundred Facebook friends. She looks like
she is surrounded by friendship, but you know its all fake, because its only through words on a
screen, there is no personal contact. The article "Teens Have Fewer Friends, But They're Less

Mai Dori

Synthesis: Media and Its Effects

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Lonely Than Ever Before, by Carolyn Gergoire proves all of the previously stated theories
wrong. Over time, people are more individualistic, more extroverted, and have higher selfesteem, (Gergoire). This computerized reality is a forum that has helped teenagers experiment
and reciprocate positive feedback from peers in return. The media is not all bad and most of the
time its effects are more beneficial then detrimental (Wallace). According the article The Upside
of Selfies by Kelly Wallace, media generates an impactful response. Studies show that, one in
five teens said social media makes them feel more confident (Wallace). Media is the backdrop
for expression allowing those to use experimentation to solidify their personality and create
stability.
We are told that the media was established for three ideal purposes: news, education, and
entertainment (Mughal). Whether one believes the media has extorted these values is a matter of
opinion. One may believe that media did, in fact, have a positive purpose but just never
actualized that potential to influence society positively; on the other hand, media has flourished
society creating a constant influx of knowledge, and encouraging a platform which preaches
individuality (Mughal). The media is a complicated yet ever-presented debate that will never
disintegrate as long as the world and technology continue to evolve. Learning to cope with a
minor lifestyle change may seem difficult and detrimental but may also be a source of positive
influence and education.

Question:
Society will continue to advance as long as humans continue to inhabit its very existence.
We have used our capacity to created in order to develop a platform of expression for the entire

Mai Dori

Synthesis: Media and Its Effects

1/27/15

world, a very important and influential platform, also known as, media. The media has very often
produced different effects. Some claim media can only lead to negative detachment from ones
surroundings, while causing one to be cognizant when painting their social profile for the entire
world to see. Contrarily, however, there are those that say media is a comfortable and safe way to
express individualism a place where differentiation wont be ridiculed. This debate will
continue to exist as long the media does the same, but the pros and cons of media are the
underlying precedent to whether its effects will ultimately be negative or positive toward society
when moving forward.