In my Mass Communication Theory class, we have been talking about the effects of television on its viewers. One particular topic that we discussed was that of media and its relation to crime and/or violence. While it’s true that there is a considerable amount of violence on television, can we really blame the media for what people to choose to do? Is the exposure that television provides us with enough to push people over the edge to commit crimes or acts of violence?

One of the things that is especially important is what kind of impact the media has on our children, whether it be concerning issues of violence or anything else. Young children can not always comprehend that what they see in the television is not always real. Are the kids of today’s society more violent than ever because of what they are seeing on television? From a different angle, are the kids of today’s society more anorexic than ever? The media portrays an unrealistic image of what “beauty” is supposed to be, and many young girls employ unhealthy tactics in an attempt to look like the celebrities they are seeing on the screen.

Surely, I think the media can be a factor in all of these issues. There are so many other questions out there about how much of an effect television really has on a person, and I think it depends on the individual and the situation. It is scary to think that the impressionable brains of young children can be molded into something completely unwanted depending on what kind of shows they are watching on television.

The issue that I have with people blaming the media entirely for anything and everything is that when it comes down to it, you are the one who controls turning the television on or off. The media does not control you. When it comes to children, it is entirely the parent’s responsibility to monitor what their child is watching and how much time they spend in front of the tube. We can’t be so quick to blame the media, because it is 100% voluntary. Parents should be held responsible for what their children are being exposed to.