Media Influence On American Culture Essay

Throughout American history, various forms of media have played an influential role in shaping American Culture.The Two prominent types of media that have had a significant impact on American culture are television and internet. Television has been a powerful medium for shaping public opinion and influencing cultural norms since it became widely available in American households during the mid-twentieth century. The audio-visual medium’s indexical representation of reality and the viewers' perception of "seeing is believing" contributed to television's primacy as one of the most credible mediums for disseminating news and information. In addition to television, the internet has revolutionized the way Americans consume and disseminate information.

Moreover, television shows have been used to promote social awareness and advocacy for various causes. For example, programs such as "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" have been instrumental in promoting acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and raising awareness for important social issues. Furthermore, the internet has played a transformative role in American media since its inception. It has allowed individuals to express themselves in ways that were not previously possible, and provided a platform for citizen journalism, social networking, blogging and other forms of free expression. In recent years, the rise of social media has enabled individuals to produce and share non-conforming cultural messages and practices on a larger scale. This participatory culture of social media has created new possibilities for social campaigns, as seen in the "Black Lives Matter" movement which gained significant support through online collaborative platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. The evolution of media has brought about significant changes to American culture, with television and the internet being two prominent types that have had a profound impact. According to the reading, media and culture” Social media and other digital platforms have enabled individuals to engage in various forms of civic participation and activism. As such, while

Because of the power and influence that media has on today’s society, suicide due to cyberbullying has increased dramatically over the years. Additionally, studies have found that social media use is significantly associated with an increase in depression. The negative effects of technology and social media on mental health and well-being cannot be ignored. Children and young adults like Nate Bronstein, Phoebe Prince and Ryan Patrick Halligan all were victims of cyber bullying. According to a CBS News article many of the children were 15 years of age who were ignored by teachers years before they finally gave up. These children were all bullied and people stood around and did nothing to stop it. If someone cared more about these students, they would be alive today. Another impact that the internet has had on society are podcasts. People love podcasts because it allows them to exercise the first Amendment, "Freedom of Speech". Men and women are able to give their opinions on different issues and problems they face everyday. For example, in a podcast called “Know for Sure podcast” two African American women, Actress B. Simone and her best friend Megan talk about relationship issues in their podcast called “Million Dollaz Worth of Game”. In the podcast they talk about topics such as love, self-help and dating advice, providing a platform for listeners to