Positive Media Effects

-On Adolescents

Although the media have negative connotations attached, there are many positives the media promotes especially among adolescents. Disney plays a big part in the positive side of the media. With their “Friends for Change” campaign they try to teach children how to be green by recycling and conserving. Also their short television spot called “Pass the Plate” promotes diversity as well as unity describing how different cultures use the same foods. “The Magic of Healthy Living”, another Disney campaign featuring the First Lady Michelle Obama, teaches kids how to be healthy including how to eat right and exercise.  More information about these campaigns can be found at http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/passtheplate/index.html , http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/friendsforchange/ , and http://disney.go.com/magic-of-healthy-living/ncds/ .

A new campaign that has just started is “Delete Digital Drama”, a campaign against cyber-bullying spear headed by ABC Family with help from Seventeen Magazine. Many of ABC Family’s stars have taken part in this campaign to promote diversity and acceptance. More about this campaign can be found at http://abcfamily.com , http://www.seventeen.com or http://stompoutbullying.org 

Nickelodeon also has their own news show for kids titled “Nick News” which is hosted by news anchor Linda Ellerbee. It keeps kids informed as well as reports news involving amazing children such as an 11 year old saving a man’s life and children protesting for change in schools and communities. These stories and more can be found at http://news.nick.com/.

The media can also be a good influence on children. With many shows like Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, Sesame Street, Barney & Friends, and many others, and programs like Baby Einstein children can start learning even before they attend school. They can learn to read and count, learn right from wrong, and learn everyday social norms for kids.

-On everyone

As much as the media can make us pessimists in life, it can also make us optimists. Inspirational news stories or movies that move us to make a difference or to change the way we are, to be better people, are always broadcasted by the media but are overshadowed sometimes by the stories that make us pessimistic.

The media can help us to stay informed on what is going around the world ranging from natural disasters to economic downturns. With one click of a button or the use of a search engine, we can stay informed on the condition of many things around the world. The media also helps us learn new things about places we have never been to or about new discoveries being made in the medical or science fields. We can learn about new technologies, ways to help the environment, or how to be healthy.