Media and content creators are extremely powerful in the world we live in today. It is so easy to create something and put it out into the world, on youtube, vimeo and any number of social sites like Facebook and instagram. We consume so much media these days, and are able to access vast audiences of all shapes and sizes, and with this comes enormous responsibility. Whilst its great we can express our opinions about any number of things and share our particular views on life, other people, the world, politics and more, we must realize that we make reaches out into the psyches of people, it shapes society and particularly children’s minds, .
Film, TV and print media are all impactful on how we and society are shaped. I’m interested in two areas specifically – children and women’s body image
In regards to TV and film, I am not saying that we have to ban all dark material, as that would be impossible but we must realize that with what we make we are affecting people. Media psychologists can show the affect of violence in society, the affect on children, mental health, and our world’s future.
A 2010 review by psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that “the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior.” Anderson’s earlier research showed that playing violent video games can increase a person’s aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior both in laboratory settings and in daily life. “One major conclusion from this and other research on violent entertainment media is that content matters,” says Anderson.
I take up residence in the area of tv and film for children. Recently taking the children in my life to see The Incredibles 2, I was surprised at the amount of violence! A review said this:
“Like the original, the sequel has frequent, intense superhero action/violence, including large-scale destruction, frequent peril, weapons, and laser beams shooting out of a character’s eyes. There’s also a scary fight with lots of flashing lights that could be difficult for those with photosensitivity and has prompted some theaters to post warnings due to seizure concerns. Someone is shot in a flashback (the act itself isn’t shown, though viewers see the gun pointed at the victim)
I am interested in why children need to see this type of thing? I remember looking around the cinema and watching a particulary violent scenario and seeing children not even flinching. The desensitization of children to agressive or violent behaviour is an epidemic. It starts with that and can progress to lack of empathy and anti social behviour.
In the area of body image, female empowerment and the shakey world of women’s self esteem, we are once again deeply and profoundly affected by the images and content we see in the media. Recently I saw an image in an Australian weekly tabloid magazine of Elsa Pataky, the wife of Chris Hemsworth, actor. This image was of her in a bikini and said “ No wonder Chris Hemsworth is the happiest man in Hollywood..just look at his wife Elsa Pataky’s incredible body”.
I mean really? This clearly implies his happiness is about his wife looking like this. It solidify’s the message that we need to have a hot body to have a happy husband. Its not as cut and dry as that, but it feeds into the suffering of women re body image. It’s a powerful message and it is a national magazine. We need to be more responsible about what we put out there.
When we see the damage that Roseanne Barr inflicted recently with her terrible racist tweets, the avalanche of suicides from online bullying, women’s body image epidemic, the proliferation of violence in young men between the ages of 16 and 30.
A video, film, article, post can all harm or heal,
Media and internet are obviously a part of the world we live in, its not going away nor am I suggesting that it should be, we need to understand the power and impact of what we watch and read on our psyche, who we are becoming, our relationships and our self image.