Exposure to Mass Media

Over the past decade technology has changed society’s expectations of mass media and culture. Growing up in the 90’s our main forms of communication included print media, radio, and television. As we got older and moved into the 21^st century, technology began to change the way we viewed our culture and society. We have exposed to new forms of mass media that include social media, podcasts, and emailing. These new forms of mass media have exposed us to mass media and have changed our values and expectations of each other and our society. According to Beg, “Adults and teens will spend nearly five months (3,518 hours) next year watching television, surfing the Internet, reading daily newspapers and listening to personal music devices, according to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the United States, released today” (Beg, 2006). Technology has grown so quickly that our society now relies on it in order to feel comfortable with in our culture and our society. The change in exposure to mass media has changed the way our culture functions. Children in America rely on technology to engage with friends instead of wanting to meet face-to-face. They also rely on technology to provide them help find answers on homework questions and tests rather than relying on older methods like library research. A recent TedTalk, talks about how mass media has stunted the way we see certain stereotypes and other cultural aspects of life. It is important to look around and reassure yourself that technology does not rule all. Technology will continue to engage our society and force them to conform to quicker and less face-to-face engaging methods of communication. Mass media and our culture will never be the same again now that technology has become so effective and fast. Mass media has turned our society into a community that constantly wants instant gratification and communication with each other. 

TedTalk Link: http://tedxinnovations.ted.com/2014/12/10/spotlight-tedx-talk-has-mass-media-stunted-our-ability-to-see-beyond-stereotypes/

References

Beg, S. (2006, December 15). Mass Media Exposure. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from     http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FHealth%2Fstory%3Fid%3D2727587

Schlesinger, B. (2014, December 10). Has mass media stunted our ability to see beyond    stereotypes? Retrieved August 31, 2015, from          http%3A%2F%2Ftedxinnovations.ted.com%2F2014%2F12%2F10%2Fspotlighttedx-talk-has-mass-media-stunted-our-ability-to-see-beyond-stereotypes%2F