Problems with Mass Media in Society

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of problems with mass media is distraction. I talked about this in my last blog about Facebook as well, but I have truly come to the realization that so many more media texts are a distraction as well. Internet, TV, magazines, all these things and more, have such an influence on our lives. They are a blessing to us in some ways. I mean, after all they connect us to others that we sometimes wouldn't communicate with. Not only are these media texts a distraction to me and pull me away from other things and face to face interaction, but they also have a huge influence on me. Sometimes we don't even realize the influence that media has on us. As I look back on my high school years, I am disappointed with how I let it influence me sometimes. I had an obsession with Teen Vogue magazines in high school, which most certainly had an impact on me. For the most part, these magazines had good intentions, trying to persuade teens to be confident in who they are and that sort of thing, but I didn't always read the articles. It is crazy how just flipping through a magazine can have such an influence on me and send ridiculous thoughts through my mind. I often caught myself comparing myself to "skinny and pretty" girls. I intended to open this magazine and be influenced in a positive way, but sometimes media manipulates us-causing us to think in ways we don't want to. I also think media obviously is very bias. Many times, for example on news channels, we only hear one side. As I look back on the way that media has influenced me throughout the past few years, I mainly see that it has influenced me in bad ways, more so than good. Now, don't get me wrong, I do believe that it can have good influences as well, but I think right now, I am learning how to appropriately expose myself to this media. I do think that media is a blessing in many ways as well, allowing us to open up our minds to different opinions and views.