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| http://www.addictiontreatmentmagazine.com/addiction /internet-addiction/social-media-site-addiction-and-borderline- personality-disorder/ |
Addiction
can be seen throughout the media, whether it is on TV, in music, in movies, or
in the public lives of celebrities. Regardless of which method, it is
influencing adolescents. According to a recent study, “21 percent of elementary
school children and 51 percent of 12th graders have tried alcohol” (“Media
and adolescent substance abuse,” 2011). Also, of today’s smokers, “90 percent
began by age 19” (2011). These statistics help prove that exposure to drugs, at
a developing age, increases the percent of those who use drugs ("Why Kids Use Drugs," 2013).
Influential factors for adolescents includes parents, peers, and media. One study showed that these individuals spend "8.6 hours a day engaged with the media and only 1.2 hours a day with
non-electronic media" (“Media and adolescent substance abuse,” 2011). This shows
that individuals are watching more TV than reading books, and that they are
being exposed to more drugs much more frequently than in the past. To help
support that, the study also showed the quantity of movies that adolescents are watching contain, “93
percent alcohol use, and on television, alcohol is 77 percent of the
shows” (2011), and that “each increase of 1 hour per day of television
increases risk of starting to drink alcohol during the next 18 months by 9
percent” (2011). These facts are significant and scary for the population of
adolescents and parents raising them.
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| http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/screenaddicted- children-may-have-newest-mental-illness-20120929-26s7q.html |
This
increased incidence is due to the fact that adolescents have not completely
formed their own identities, so they are experimenting with what they see on
TV. Therefore, this exposure translates into initiation of use of alcohol or
drugs. A strong emotional response can bypass logical thinking, so even though
the individuals know that they should not be smoking because it causes harm to
the body, they do it anyway (“Media and adolescent substance abuse,” 2011)
& (“Kids & the Media” 2013).
Here
are a few examples of songs that use alcohol and drugs. After listening to the
songs and reading the lyrics it is not hard to see why adolescents are having a
difficult time separating wrong from right with regards to drug use (
“Blame it on the Alcohol” by Jamie Foxx
Here is another example of a song where Afroman is singing
about getting high, and even though he is singing about things going badly,
there is still laughing and joking in the background. Also, the tune is light
and catchy so people want to listen to it.
“I Love College” by Asher Roth
“Get my Drink on” by Toby Keith
“A Baltimore Love Thing” by 50 Cent
Sources:
“Media and adolescent substance abuse” (2011). Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Received
April 18, 2013, from http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/media-and-adolescent-substance-abuse.aspx
“Kids & the Media” (2013). American Psychological Association.
Received April 18, 2013, from http://actagainstviolence.apa.org/mediaviolence/index.html
LeHericy, Z. & Liberman, M. "Sex and Drugs: How the Media Influences Today's Youth" (2009). The Maverick. Received April 18, 2013, from http://hs.riverdale.k12.or.us/maverick/?read=775
"Why Kids Use Drugs" (2013). Focus on the Family. Received April 18, 2013, from http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/parenting_challenges/kids-and-substance-abuse/why-kids-use-drugs.aspx
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zAGHS_l2DU
Pictures:
http://www.addictiontreatmentmagazine.com/addiction/internet-addiction/social-media-site-addiction-and-borderline-personality-disorder/
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/screenaddicted-children-may-have-newest-mental-illness-20120929-26s7q.html
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