How Mass Media Affects the Image of Adolescence

Since the early 19th century 'Adolescent invention' (Clarke 2009: 1), we have seen the image of various young people created in politics and mass media. In most cases these images are depicted as having problems and harm the society. They often have a negative connotation such as laziness, dissatisfaction, carnival, uncontrollable, and broken. Using only the word "youth" is seldom used positively, so it can be regarded as a negative meaning.

Mass media becomes a powerful force in the world, and strongly influences people's and others's perception. This applies especially to teenagers. In this article, we will explain how media influences the image of the body and self-esteem, and why media has a strong influence on young people. Differences in youth reactions of different ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds to the media were discussed. This article focuses on girls, but it also evaluates teenage boys data. Finally, in this article, we will explain the approach that could help young people become more active media audiences and help prevent common physical self esteem degradation during adolescence.

Body images are greatly affected by portrayal by mass media of optimal body shape for slimming. The use of adolescent girls by media represents two extreme images. They usually manifest as extroverted or introverted free-flowing, usually experiencing gentle gaze, soft skin, pink cheeks and wide eyes without focus. Today, slimming targets are shown on media images of TV, magazines, bulletin boards. Female magazine advertisements include better meals and other digital functions than advertisements in men's magazines. These ads show the ideal women's body, and then many women can compare their figure with this ideal and use diet as a measurement. In fact, according to a survey of mass media magazines, advertisements and articles of women's magazines promote weight reduction by 10.5 times in men's magazines. (Brew)