The Bad Influence of Movies on Our Children

Unfortunately, this utopian argument doesn’t account for the countless studies correlating film and television viewing to perpetuated hate and stereotyping, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Declining SAT scores and library check-outs over the decades have lead critics to believe that film and television are aiding in the international "dumbification" effort, in which individuals are losing the ability to think without direction. This phenomenon is closely related to the more recent "couch potato syndrome", in which laziness, lack of physical fitness and a passive attitude combine, producing the ultimate unhealthy lifestyle that is currently sweeping the majority of modern America. More important, however, are the two great faults of film and television. First, film and television establish false

According to Gerard Jones’s “ Violent Media Is Good For Kids,” violent media indeed has a remarkable influence upon the minds and general growth patterns of children. Jones argues that violent media can actually have positive effects on young people.

Perhaps the most damaging health habit kids today have is their complete and total lack of exercise. Children today are more inclined to a sedentary behavior. Movies, television, the Internet, etc. are all magnets for kids, and while these mediums of entertainment aren’t altogether “evil” they can breed docile attitudes. If too much time is spent watching

If adolescents see an unrealistic thin or a muscle toned body alot, it can have a huge impact on their body image and dieting behavior. “Body image ideals in the media have increased teenagers’ and some adults the desire for plastic surgery” (Raising Children, 2015). Seeing media that is violent in some ways can often enough make it more likely that someone will behave in a violent way, it can also influence other unhealthy or risky behavior, like smoking, drinking alcohol and taking other drugs. Other more powerful influences include family and friends. “Teen are twice as likely to have sex or engage in sexual acts if they see similar sexual behavior in the media. Many objects in the media that involve sex target teens” (Ransohoff, 2013). Reality TV shows and teen dramas often portray the popular or cool kids as the ones who are having sex so seeing it on TV might make teenagers think it is ok. In the movie when Caroline throws a party at Jakes house after a dance, everyone got drunk, they were all under age because they were all in high school and then most of them drove home drunk, some teens may think its ok to do this when its not at all

Within our society today, media plays a huge role in everyone’s life - an important role. Media offers entertainment, news, information, and education; however, with these benefits come negatives as well. For example, foul language, drug abuse, and sexual content may be presented to an unsuitable audience, specifically children. It’s easy to see sexual content on tv, hear foul language in songs on the radio, or even hear about the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Children are especially good at mimicking what they see and are easily influenced. So, with all this content being shown openly with no censorship, children think this is a social norm, as well as spending long periods of time watching TV, playing video games, and using the internet. Modern technology has transformed the way children learn and interact within their environment, it is having a negative effect on them in this younger generation with all the easy access to all genera’s of media material for long periods of time.

This generation has exaggerated stereotypes over the year using movies to negatively represent people in today's society. Within these movies they have corrupted young teenage minds to judge any one on the way they look and see people.

Children are avid followers of entertainment, but they don’t realize the harm it brings to them. Since children are impressionable, they are easily influenced by other sources and entertainment becomes a big part of their lives. They attempt to imitate stunts seen on T.V. and are desensitized by the multiple accidents in shows. Kids could start to believe that they can be the same as the characters. For example, a child who watches Neverland might believe

It was found that at each hour of TV watched by a 5-year-old child their chances of obesity would rise by 7%. Whilst studying 8000 children who had watched 8 or more hours per week, all age 3 it was found that by the time all those children were aged 7, every single one of them were at higher risk than average of obesity. (Pediatrics, 2011). Television on its own shows from 4400 to 7600 fast food commercials a day. Those statistics don’t include what is shown in magazine, billboards and so on. The number of health promoting adverts shown is 165 a day its no wonder today’s children are at higher risk. Speaking of which, the number of children under 5 effected worldwide by obesity found in 2013 was an astonishing 42 million. Its predicted that by 2025 this number will rise to a huge 70 million. (Bupa,2016) The media has fooled people the way never use overweight or unhealthy looking people In adverts, how often do we see obese people on our televisions? Especially when we are trying to be sold something. More often than not in movies fat people are portrayed as unattractive and unpopular and the laughing stock. Society seems to find it difficult to sympathise with obesity as a disease as many see it as self-inflicted issue. (Teaching tolerance, 2016). ) it was found that by 2006, obesity was responsible for 10 percent of media

Many young children grow up watching Disney films. Many parents do not think that these movies could have a negative impact on their children. Henry Giroux, who wrote the book, “The Mouse that Roared: Disney and the End of Innocence” is a firm believer that Disney films have a negative impact on the children that watch them. For several generations Disney films have been a huge part of children’s lives, but many parents do not realize how these films can negatively impact their children. Disney films can teach young children stereotypes, how to deal with life events such as death and they can learn negative ideas and values from these films.

Kathy Benjamin lists 5 scientific ways watching movies effects people. First, they can impact their physical and mental health. She explains when you watch a horror movie or intense film, your heart rate and blood pressure will increase. In extreme cases, people can have heart attacks and/or die. Depressed people should not watch sad movies. Also, scary movies may cause someone to go through a traumatic experience all over again. Second, Kathy mentions watching violence in movies can make you more aggressive. “A new study seems to prove that watching aggression on screen can contribute to being a bully in real life, even if it is just in the short term” (Benjamin). This has been debated for a long time. However, studies have shown that there is some truth to it.

A young girl with black hair and brown eyes sees a beautiful princess named Cinderella who has blond hair, blue eyes, and flawless skin. She believes she will never be as radiant and beautiful as the princess because they don’t look alike. Like this girl, there are many cases of Disney films having lasting negative effects on children. Disney influences children more than any other age group since most merchandise and movies are geared toward younger audiences around thirteen or younger. Walt Disney Productions have a negative effect on children through stereotypes, violent actions, and sexism presented through its characters’ physical characteristics and actions. Disney has been

Television, music, video games, and other form of media are all things that are fun and sometimes educational for kids, but can be a bad influence on children, depending on the content. These all should be used to teach children how to solve problems and expand their mind, rather than teaching them to kill people and portraying someone negatively. The images and stories shown to children and teenagers make it difficult

For years, many researchers have done individual studies on how media affects children. A review, which analyzed 173 of the strongest papers over 28 years, found that “80% of researchers are in agreement that heavy media exposure increases the risk of harm to children, including obesity, smoking, early engagement in sexual activity, drug and alcohol use, attention problems, and poor grades” (Szabo).

In today’s world television has become one of the most popular and frequently used pastimes. With the increase of technology available today people can now watch television on their phones, laptops, and tablets wherever they go. Something else that has increased in the past years are the number of obese people in the United States. In the last couple decades it was estimated that the number of obese children age 2-5 has more than doubled (5.0% to 12.4%) and for ages 6-11 it has also more than doubled (6.5% to 17.0%). In adolescents aged 12-19 the number has more than tripled (5.0% to 17.0%) and as for adults it is estimated that 70% of Americans are overweight and out of that percentage 50% are obese (Boulos, Vikre, Oppenheimer, Chang, & Kanarek, 2012). It is no coincidence that as the number of prolonged television use has risen so has the number of obese people in America. Television has a negative impact on children that in the long run can lead to obesity.

Negative effects of Mass Media for teenagers,  The exposure of sex images and excessive portraits of violence in movies and dramas have instilled negative thoughts and taboos in the mind of these teenagers for they have been consistently getting increased exposure to things which are not suitable for their age.