Introduction
Every individual has a set of values, which, can be personal or cultural. These values define the inward and outward being of such individual directly.
Collective values and measures associated to an individual have a value system of self-concept and self-esteem. Self-concept, therefore, describe an individual through the attitudes, attributes, abilities and values categorized as positive or negative depending on one’s social or antisocial behavior.
A child develops into an adult amidst internal and external factors like media that directly influence the general conduct. For instance, an individual who grows within an aggressive society develops antisocial behavior compared to the one within the responsive love and care of an older individual like parents or/and guardians.
In order to determine and define an individual’s level of self- concepts, analysis of self-evaluation on positive attributes including contextual behavior change. Self-worth experience in a maintained criterion of positive experience and behavior change helps in defining the self-worth of an individual. One has to believe in him or herself to acquire positivity to self-concept and worth (Santrock, 2007).
Role of Media in Adolescent Development
The media create, produce, and advance multitudes of theories and ideas that massively influence the adolescent youth in their perceptions to themselves. Adolescents relate media materials to their own self-image and body image especially with the celebrities vastly featured in the media.
For instance, media can present a documentary on ideal man and woman’s body will negatively lower self-esteem and self-concept of adolescents who feel they do not attain the ideality. The media literacy reaching the adolescents should contain moderate and general information that do not negatively influence the young (Muuss & Porton, 1998).
The media post unrealistic images, sharps, stereotypic information that can easily capture the attention of the adolescents especially girls. These young people can easily make unhealthy and confusing decision on how to acquire these sharps or correct the defect without considering the end results consequences: For example, uncontrolled dietary, dieting pills, excessive exercise and other unscrupulous solutions like use of steroids.
The study of media influence on adolescent’s self concept shows that media like advertisements, magazines, articles either screen play or print significantly influence the development of adolescent because their mental level cannot analyze or evaluate the extend at which the media can affect them.
Positive Influence to Adolescents
Although media influences the youth negatively, its merits yield beneficial results on the development of the child. The academic performances of adolescents who easily access the media tend to be higher than those who do not. Computer and internet facility increase their interest to do homework, assignments and take away projects.
A T.V set similarly is an education tool when used wisely by the adolescents supervised by a guardian or parent. T.V’s talk shows and educational programmes help the learners gasp best the theoretical and abstract content learned at school (Muuss & Porton, 1998).
Print media materials are appropriate in exposing the young to the outside world and improving on their reading skills and culture. These materials can also boost the quality of articles they write for academic and competition use. Social sites like Facebook and Twitter allow the adolescents to interact with friends and share ideas.
Conclusion
Media can influence the adolescents both positively and negatively depending on the use. To use media for positive change among the adolescents, parents and teachers should closely monitor the nature of materials the young access and more importantly discuss on a round table with the adolescents about the merits and demerits of media on their character influence.
Reference List
Muuss, R. E., & Porton, H. D. (1998). Adolescent Behavior & Society. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Santrock, J.W. (2007). A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development. New York: McGraw-Hill.