The Celebrity Influence on Teens of Today
The Celebrity Influence on Teens of Today
In today’s media, many people are exposed to material they see or hear which affects their choices on a day to day basis. Teenagers are the most common victims of the media because they are so vulnerable. One of the main causes of this media influence on them is celebrity behavior. Celebrities can change how a teen looks at him or herself in the mirror. They can also have an effect on a teen’s choices in bad habits. They have the power to persuade teens into unrealistic shopping. Teens can also start thinking that it is easy to become famous by attracting the wrong attention. Although teenagers can learn about their society through celebrities, the media can provoke negative issues in self-esteem, habits, shopping and personality. Firstly, it is a well known fact that the majority of celebrities seen through the media have ‘too perfect’ bodies that teens feel is the ideal image for their society. The impact of this idea is unhealthy both emotionally and physically and can lead to many problems such as depression or anorexia. Michelle New a PhD in Kids Health states, “Most celebrities in advertising, movies, TV, and sports programs are very thin, and this may lead girls to think that the ideal of beauty is extreme thinness. Boys, too, may try to emulate a media ideal by drastically restricting their eating and compulsively exercising to build muscle mass.” This explains how desperate teenagers can get to change themselves to fit the idea of celebrity perfection. Another way celebrities disapprovingly change the minds of teens and their bodies is by commenting on their own. An actress, Jennifer Lawrence, was caught guilty calling herself fat which could be hurtful to many teens her size. Abbey Stone from Hollywood News reports, “While it is beyond commendable that Lawrence points out how anorexic-seeming body types can be detrimental to young girls, her choice to call herself fat — even in a sarcastic manner — is a poor
In today’s media, many people are exposed to material they see or hear which affects their choices on a day to day basis. Teenagers are the most common victims of the media because they are so vulnerable. One of the main causes of this media influence on them is celebrity behavior. Celebrities can change how a teen looks at him or herself in the mirror. They can also have an effect on a teen’s choices in bad habits. They have the power to persuade teens into unrealistic shopping. Teens can also start thinking that it is easy to become famous by attracting the wrong attention. Although teenagers can learn about their society through celebrities, the media can provoke negative issues in self-esteem, habits, shopping and personality. Firstly, it is a well known fact that the majority of celebrities seen through the media have ‘too perfect’ bodies that teens feel is the ideal image for their society. The impact of this idea is unhealthy both emotionally and physically and can lead to many problems such as depression or anorexia. Michelle New a PhD in Kids Health states, “Most celebrities in advertising, movies, TV, and sports programs are very thin, and this may lead girls to think that the ideal of beauty is extreme thinness. Boys, too, may try to emulate a media ideal by drastically restricting their eating and compulsively exercising to build muscle mass.” This explains how desperate teenagers can get to change themselves to fit the idea of celebrity perfection. Another way celebrities disapprovingly change the minds of teens and their bodies is by commenting on their own. An actress, Jennifer Lawrence, was caught guilty calling herself fat which could be hurtful to many teens her size. Abbey Stone from Hollywood News reports, “While it is beyond commendable that Lawrence points out how anorexic-seeming body types can be detrimental to young girls, her choice to call herself fat — even in a sarcastic manner — is a poor
References: Teen Health and Wellness. (2014). Refuse to Use Drugs and Alcohol. Retrieved January 13, 2014, fromhttp://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/article/279/refuse-to-use-drugs-and-alcohol- Kaiser, Stacy. (Host). (Feb.12.2012). Does Teen Mom Glamorize Teen Pregnancy. Today Show. Retrieved January 12, 2014 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93jkO1R6KYg Nal, Jackie. (Host). (sept.22.2010). Marketing to Kids and Teens Media and Money. CNBC Africa. Retrieved January 12, 2014 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iW9HD5gLWA New, Michelle. (Nov.2011). Eating Disorders. Kids Health. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/eating_disorders.html# Rosenfeld, Shelle. Pop Culture Collection (Oct.1.2013). Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Teens. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from News. Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.hollywood.com/news/celebrities/43959185/jennifer-lawrence-talks-about-her-weight-again?page=all