But what messages are we getting from media....if we use a certain product we will be thin, beautiful, and happy? Advertisements, public service announcements, tv shows, articles, and even music and video games can be used to persuade us to think or act a certain way.
Questions we can consider when using media are:
1. Who is the author or sponsor? Who wrote, created or sponsored the media product.
2. Who is the audience? Is the program intended for children, teens, parents of young children, older adults? If it is intended for a target audience, is it’s message or content appropriate for other age groups?
3. What is the purpose? Why was this media product created...to inform, entertain, or persuade?
4. What is the message? The message is the main statement, point, or opinion that is being expressed in the media. What is the media product telling you? Once you know what the message is you can decide what you think about it and whether you agree with it.
5. What information is missing? What information is not included in the media message, that may be important to know? For example, an ad for energy drinks may leave out information on their high sugar and caffeine content. Or a news story might present only one point of view about an issue.
6. What techniques are used to attract your attention? What gets your attention and makes you want to watch the show, play the game, read the ad? The techniques used in media such as humor, well-known people, use of color, sounds, etc. make the media more attractive and interesting.
It is estimated the number of television commercials that children and young people view each year is more than 40,000. Both youth and adults need to think critically about the messages they are receiving from the media and understand the purpose of those messages.
Source: Sue Pearman, Central Sandhills Extension Associate. Information for this article was taken from, Media Smart Youth, developed by U. S Department of Health and Human Service, National Institute of Health, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
