Emma Page, Class III
Photo Credit: Pexels
Many adults like to attack teenagers for being glued to their phones or consoles. As a result, social media and video games have bad reputations for being the root of many societal social and mental issues. While this may be the case, there are bigger enemies on the loose that many adults have been condoning- Film and TV.
When was the last time you watched a romantic movie? You may not remember the specifics, but likely the feelings it invoked in you. If you're a fan of the genre, you might've felt touched or inspired by the love displayed. In theory, this is great. But surprisingly, negative depictions of love like divorce, cheating, and heartbreak may also hold the same amount of influence. Researchers from the University of Michigan saw this when surveying college students on how film and TV affect their love lives. The data showed that while shows like The Bachelor may promote love, fighting on the screen could discourage it. Meanwhile, some depictions of relationships may even normalize such toxicity and abuse. While the concept of movies and shows subconsciously manipulating our views and emotions may be surprising or upsetting, it's nothing new. It has been affecting many of us and our peers since we were kids.
When professors Nicole Martins and Kristen Harrison researched television's effect on children, they saw how the sexualization of one-dimensional women on screen led to self-esteem issues amongst girls. Meanwhile, negative depictions of black men as criminals have led to young black boys struggling to see their potential to be anything else.
Film and television aren't just affecting love lives and self-images, though. At times, it's the difference between life and death. In April of 2017, the show 13 Reasons Why, which revolves around mental illness and suicide, correlated with a 28.9% increase in suicide rates in the U.S. among 10-17 year olds, within a month of its initial release. Meanwhile, shows like Euphoria are being used to romanticize drug addiction and abusive relationships.
At this point, it may seem safe to cancel our streaming subscriptions, and swear off film and TV for good. But honestly, barely any of us would really follow through with that, and that’s okay. The movies and shows aren’t necessarily the problems. It's our vulnerability to the content that’s causing these issues. So, we can continue to use them, just like with social media and video games, if we acknowledge their negative effects. Because whether or not these negative effects are intentional, they're happening, and for that, film and television are truly the enemies.
Sources
Hillin, Taryn. “How Movies And TV Shows Are Changing The Way You Think About Love.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 18 June 2014, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/love-study-_n_5508965
“TV Viewing Can Decrease Self-Esteem in Children, except White Boys.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 30 May 2012, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120530100105.htm
“Release of ‘13 Reasons Why’ Associated with Increase in Youth Suicide Rates.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 29 Apr. 2019, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2019/release-of-13-reasons-why-associated-with-increase-in-youth-suicide-rates