How Far Do Magazines or Television Programmes Aimed at Young People in Singapore
Presently, the youths in Singapore are transforming themselves to adapt to the ever changing surroundings of this new era as a result of the influence of media. The media plays a huge role in the lives of youth which in this case, are the magazines and televisions. This in particular, can have an effect both mentally and physically.
Thus, I feel that magazines and television programmes aimed at Singaporean youths do have a positive effect to a large extent. Media provided youths many opportunities which served as a boon to todays’ youth.Nowadays, youths are able to gain exposure from around the world through the means of television and magazines. Singaporean youths are able to gain information and news updates not just based on Singapore, but around the globe. Moreover, this has led to a global sharing of knowledge thereby helping them to enhance their minds through widespread general knowledge. Thus I strongly feel that magazines and television programmes aimed at Singaporean youths do have a positive effect to a large extent. Another advantage that the present generation of youth has gained from media influence is the contribution it has made to enhance one’s vocabulary.
By reading and watching good educational books and programmes respectively, youths can help to enhance their grammar and vocabulary skills and thus it would automatically lead to a better grade for their English subject. It would be a great tool for parents to sit with their young ones and watch educational programmes while teaching them the basic ABCs. Moreover, this would help to develop their relationship between the parent and the child. Hence, magazines and television programmes aimed at Singaporean youths do have a positive effect to a large extent. Magazines and television programmes can motivate youths to succeed in life.For example, students who aced their international examinations such as the GCE O-level and A-level examinations are always featured in the newspapers. It also states how they managed to ace their examinations and this would encourage other students to do as well as them.
It does not only cater to academics. This factor caters to all aspects of life, sports, relationships and etcetera. Thus in this context, magazines and television programmes do have a positive effect on Singaporean youths. However, with the number of American teenage programmes on the rise, Singaporean youths are getting hooked to watching these programmes.These programmes often showcase many sexual contents and undesirable taboo words are used. Many youths tend to be naive and are bound to mix the reel and the real world and get highly influenced by these. Unintentionally, they would depict what they see on screen and copy it in reality.
Hence, it might ruin their reputation and also cause them serious troubles which might concern their family. As a result, magazines and television programmes aimed at Singaporean youths do have a negative effect to a small extent.Magazines and television are the best tools to find out the latest information on famous celebrities. The negative things the celebrities do are often talked about. Thus, at times youths tend to follow their celebrity role-models blindly. Some say, mostly the people who were born during the generation whereby The Beatles were a legend, the media is to be blames for the increasing number of girls with eating disorders. This critic can be supported by celebrities such as Keira Knightley and even Princes Diana who suffered from eating disorders.
Hence, magazines and television programmes aimed at Singaporean youths do have a negative effect to a small extent. In conclusion, the media has both positive and negative effects. However the positive effects outweigh the negative effects. It is a good educational and motivational tool for youths to use to go the distance. But, like any other tool, it has to be used appropriately so as to enhance the positive effects over the negative. Over the years, media has proved itself to being an advantage as without it, life will definitely be a struggle for all of us.
