Stereotypes Through Social Media

Media can be used to inform people of world news, to advocate for what people believe in, and even to change the way things are seen and interpreted by viewers; the media can be a platform for people to spread their ideas, a place for many to learn new things about themselves and others, and most importantly, it can have the power to influence people and their thoughts. However, as the media evolves, so does the material that is produced. Staying in-the-know of current events no longer holds importance, because many people would rather read about irrelevant, if not false, stories and tabloids (Gibbon 248). The new generation of media tosses important matters and admirable people aside, and instead focuses on provoking their audiences through
Today, the focus of the media is to garner the most attention through “likes” and “retweets.” Whatever will make the popular page is important enough to produce so that all people can read it, no matter what age. This puts more significance on little things rather than people and world issues that deserve the spotlight (Gibbon 248). Generations of everyday people have grown up listening to celebrity scandal, betrayal, and heartbreak, because that is all the media provides for them. Generations of everyday people are more interested in the media’s take on the divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, than in police brutality among American citizens. The “moral and spiritual decline” within the material used by the media is highly effective in decreasing the amount of interest that used to be shown relating to positive influences and current events that people can learn from (Gibbon 249). The problem in media outlets and in the internet does not sprout from writers, or editors, or producers; it is their need to suffice the young generations thirst for drama that creates the lack of importance and knowledge for current
However, wouldn’t representations such as violence and sleaze affect how people view current events? When society, especially children and teenagers, “spend more time with media than any other activity,” it is hard to imagine a world where it wouldn’t affect people (“Children, Teens, and Entertainment Media” 1). This, of course, is not necessarily a bad thing, depending on what is promoted. However, Education Digest states that people have been “transformed” by the media, and not for the best (“Children, Teens, and Entertainment Media” 1). Recent studies recorded by teachers show the lack of critical thinking, writing skills, and interaction among students intertwined in entertainment and social media (“Children, Teen, and Entertainment Media” 4). Children are not the only people subjected to negative influence by the media. Watching television at high amounts result in “lower levels of mental ability” among all ages, and can be associated with “households lower in socioeconomic status” (Comstock, Scharrer 162). The downgrade of the media has a lasting effect on its consumers, and unless there is a rapid change in the material being produced, future generations will see nothing of the real world except what the media provides for them to