Stereotypes In The Media As We Enter 2024

Ava Romant Mrs.Yurk AP Seminar 12 April 2024.

Stereotypes in the Media As we enter 2024 and are faced with new technology, social media has become a highlight in our day-to-day lives. Social media has influenced the way we communicate, understand information, and engage with society. Between media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, each media platform has transformed how we express ideas, connect with others, and view different individuals from a multitude of differing backgrounds. Although social media has many positive impacts, social media also boosts and sustains growing stereotypes. Even though social media advertises inclusion and encourages diversity amongst its users, media platforms like those listed above often do

Nevertheless, social media also plays a key role in placing and influencing stereotypes across these platforms. Furthermore, one specific way that social media perpetuates stereotypes is through the quick circulation of information, which if biased can be harmful, and discriminatory characterization. Quite frequently, those who use social media platforms portray specific stereotypes amongst different groups of people through content posted. Content posted by these individuals may have a certain connotation for certain groups, people, or ideas, leading to the reinforcement of stereotypes that are quickly spread across social media. For example, “Media portrayals teach young men and women that they will be judged based on their appearance and often conflate personal success with physical features rather than personality,” (Mirroring the Media 4). Content posted by celebrities, influencers, and other users influences how people, especially young adults, live their lives and how they portray themselves due to the stereotypes presented to them daily in social media posts. Not only do men and women feel the need to follow a certain stereotype, but “Attractiveness in media is frequently linked to the objectification of characters by focusing on their bodies,” proving that stereotypes can be reinforced by characters presented on social

Stereotypes stretch from cultural standpoints, power perceptions, and daily lifestyles/habits that are projected into our everyday lives through social media. They have been ingrained into our brains as efficient ways to separate and understand different social groups and cultures. With this, often stereotypes are difficult to break as they mirror previously created inequalities among groups such as racial, wealth, and power inequalities. Inequalities, such as those between gender roles, help shape “negative stereotypes and lower portrayal of women in both customary and new media associations,” which make it quite difficult for women in the media to oppress this stereotype as it “likewise quiets ladies online voices,” (Role and Status of Women 4). Frequently, stereotypes in the media are presented to us through social media posts by those of high societal status and power, making it challenging for others to dispute and argue against them. With this, these stereotypes are often accepted by us and are perceived as common practices among users. Our brains are further familiarized with these created social groups/ideas. For example, during COVID-19 social media users saw a surge in dissatisfaction and hate for medical professionals. Certain healthcare workers were deemed more beneficial than others in stopping