Superheroes

American Psychological Association stated that boys aged 4 to 18 are exposed to two kinds of role models, either the 'violent and aggressive' kind or the 'funny slacker.'  These heroes send the wrong message to many children who mirror aggressive behavior. Melanie Hartgill suggested that there are approximately 32 acts of violence in 1 hour of superhero television which have negative effects a childs view of reality and problem solving.

However, reporter Michael Woods argues that Superheroes like Superman and Batman could influence children to eat healthy, which would decrease the obesity percentage of children. He did a study where he asked children aged 6 to 12 whether they wanted sliced apple or french fries - most of them first chose french fries. He then asked whether Batman would eat sliced apples or french fries and the children would make the connection of healthy food with strength. However results showed that this only influenced childrens decisions one out of three times - it's a start though.

Ten Links

Website Buzzle talks about how media highlights celebrities bad behavior which leads to younger generations trying to imitate them without even thinking about it. An example they gave was Lady GaGa who is known for her shocking outfits and strange music video clips. She has millions of fans who see her as some kind of God and follow her every move, allowing them to think that behavior including drug use and dressing in ridiculous outfits and weird body implants is normal or acceptable.
The article also talks about how violent movies and books that involve fighting, murder and rape can have negative effects on children and adults minds.
Video games like call of duty also have negative effects on children. The following link mentions how video games promote violence as being "cool". The hero is always the guy who manages to shoot the most people in the head. These 'heroes' are usually dressed in baggy hoodies and backwards caps which we can all see being mocked by loads of boys.


PsychiatryOnline  says that many women feel pressured into plastic surgery because of the women they see in the media who's body measurements are "physiologically impossible". Photos seen in magazines and advertisements are  rarely real and have been worked on by photo editors making them unreal but portraying perfection. ABCNEWS posted an article earlier this year about the 21 year old Valeria Lukyanova who had countless plastic surgeries to look like a real life barbie doll. She has received so much media attention and fame by going through with these surgeries which encourages other young girls to follow her lead.

The article An analysis of Media Influence and Implications for Prevention states that the idea of beauty defined by media has increased the number of unhealthy crash diets and eating disorders. CleoOnline posted an article about a woman who risked her life by taking veterinary drugs to lose weight. Also a pressure caused by the picture perfect women in the media.

Four more links
http://theadvancedsoul.com/2006/09/06/negative-influence-of-media-on-society/

http://influence.bafree.net/negative-influences-of-media-on-the-society.php

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/17098/media-forces-bad-role-models-on-children

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10957590


Reference List

Azzopardi, H. (2011). Women risk lives taking illegal veterinary drug to lose weight. Retrieved August

21, 2012 from http://cleo.com.au/women-risk-lives-taking-illegal-veterinary-drug-to-lose-weight.htm.


BBC News. (2010). Superheroes 'poor role models for boys'. Retrieved August 21, 2012 from

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10957590.


Berel, S. (1998). Media and Disturbed Eating: An Analysis of Media Influence and 

Implications for Prevention. 18, 4, p414-430.


Conley, M. (2012). The Real-Life Ukrainian Barbie Doll. Retrieved August 21, 2012 from

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/04/23/the-real-life-ukrainian-barbie-doll/


Ford, B. (2011). Media forces bad role models on children. Retrieved August 21, 2012 from

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/17098/media-forces-bad-role-models-on-children


Negative influences on the society. (2012). Retrieved August 21, 2012 from

http://influence.bafree.net/negative-influences-of-media-on-the-society.php