False Allure's of the Media

The debate has longed raged on whether or not the media has a negative and discernable effect on our lives. It seems that consuming media has far outdone reading storybooks and playing outdoors, as children between the ages of two and eighteen spend an average of almost five and half hours a day watching television, playing video games, surfing the web or using some other forms of media. Even though television and other forms of media can be a very entertaining and educational tool for children, studies have also shown that media does have a very negative impact on children as well. Regulating the impact of the media on the lives of our children has become very challenging for parents and policymakers.

The influence of media on children extends to health related issues. Television viewing can result inactivity, which contributes, to excessive weight and gain and poor fitness levels.

The influence of media on children also extends into how we view others and ourselves. Television often focuses on Hollywood’s version of attractiveness, which bombards women, often creating an unattainable image in their minds of how they should appear, which is very unrealistic and not particularly ideal. This can lead to a host of problems such as Bulimia, Anorexia and low self-esteem, among others. These messages and images also effect the expectations that men have of women, how they should look and behave.

The average American is exposed to over 3000 ads per day and will spend three years of their lives viewing advertisements. According to the Killing Us Softly Campaign, Advertising Images of Women, the media/ advertising industry brought in revenue of $20 billion in 1979, which is not much compared to the $180 billion it brought in during the year 1999. One in ten women in America today have a serious eating disorder, with Anorexia and Bulimia being the most common. A recent survey of fourth grade girls found out that over 80% of ten year old girls were on diets. Where else could this crazy obsession of women and thinness come from?



The average fashion model weighs 23% less than the average female. Only 5% of American women have this body type, which you are either born with or not, you cannot diet yourself into this body type. The number of people with eating disorders and borderline conditions triple the number of people living with Aids.

The tobacco industry has to get at least 3000 children to start smoking every day to replace the smokers who die or quit. Most of these advertisements suggest that young girls will lose their cravings for food if they smoke a cigarette. 90% of smokers start at the age of 18 and 60% start at the age of 14. This shows us that a large amount of advertising is targeted to young girls, high school aged and women.

Talking with young girls and even young boys about the images they see and also giving them better role models to look up to is very important in today’s media world.

Today in Relief Society, we were discussing the standards that we as Latter-day Saints set for ourselves and the standards that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expect us to abide by and follow. As we were reading out the For Strength of Youth booklet, I found this statement on media and the affects that it can have on each of us. I feel prompted to share this message, which also happens to tie well into the theme for this blog;

"Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Therefore, choose only entertainment and media that uplift you. Good entertainment will help you to have good thoughts and make righteous choices. It will allow you to enjoy yourself without losing the Spirit of the Lord.
While much entertainment is good, some of it can lead you away from righteous living. Offensive material is often found in web sites, concerts, movies, music, videocasettes, DVD's, books, magazines, pictures, and other media. Satan uses such entertainment to deceive you, making what is wrong and evil look normal and exciting. It can mislead you into thinking that everyone is doing things that are wrong.
Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable.
Pornography in all its forms is especially dangerous and addictive. What may begin as a curious indulgence can become a destructive habit that takes control of your life. It can lead you to sexual transgression and even criminal behavior. Pornography is a poison that weakens your self-control, changes the way you see others, causes you to lose the guidance of the Spirit, and can even affect your ability to have a normal relationship with your future spouse. If you encounter pornography, turn away from it immediately.
Depictions of violence often glamorize vicious behavior. They offend the Spirit and make you less able to respond to others in a sensitive, caring way. They contradict the Savior's message of love for one another.
Have the courage to walk out of a movie or a video party, turn off a computer or television, change a radio station, or put down a magazine if what is being presented does not meet Heavenly Father's standards. Do these things even if others do not. Let your friends and family know that you are committed to keeping God's standards".

~For The Strength of Youth, Entertainment and Media, page 17.