The influence of mass media or ‘the media effect’ affects many aspects of human life, which includes voting a certain way, individual views and beliefs, or skewing a person’s knowledge of a specific topic due to being provided false information. Media has the capability of shaping the ideas and beliefs of the receptive brains of adolescents. Continuous media exposure has proven impacts on a teen’s physical, psychological, and social development.

In today’s world, media has made a very special place for itself in our lives. It would not be an exaggeration that today, it has become as important as food and clothing. Today different types of media are also very much helpful to educate and make a socially aware nation. The communication forms can be radio, television, cinema, magazines, newspapers and internet-based websites which often play an important role in increasing public awareness and formation of their views and attitudes toward certain issues. Among these, television has a great impact on its viewers. Here, the numbers are very concerning with 70% of the young ones saying that spending time in front of the television makes them grow weak and tired. They also develop an attention deficit condition which makes them unable to concentrate on their homework or on reading. When it comes to media, it is a one-faced communication provider. It tells you what is there, and it pulls you into its grip, but it does not suggest to you or tell you what problems you may face later with it. It succeeds in creating a current successful impact on its viewers, but it does not provide sufficient information about the after-effects of such a success.

Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter etc., connect their users globally and facilitate their communication. Our hands first reach for our phones to check these social networking sites as soon we wake up. It has become an essential part of our lives. It bridges the gap between friends since a person in Africa can interact with his/her friend in the United States. This in turn helps in strengthening relationships. It can even lead to more employment opportunities being created for unemployed youth. However, social media has both advantages and disadvantages as how a coin has two sides. Even though social media sites seem to connect more people and make them stay up to date, it leads to social isolation according to a BBC News report. It reduces the number of face-to-face interactions among the youth because they normally spend most of their time on these online social platforms. In social media, there is also a lot of temptation which may become an addiction for teenagers, causing them to get distracted.

Hence, we can conclude that utilising the media wisely and never ever falling into its trap is the only solution.

“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind!”