Media is influential to the teens

Purpose: To critically analyze media themes and assumptions that teens are exposed to through the media and integrate this information to provide comprehensive health teaching for families. Task: 1. Choose one of the activities (A, B, C, or D) listed below and follow the instructions. This is not a paper! 2. Answer all of the questions within the activity based on your observations and thoughts. 3. At the end of the activity, answer the following questions of the overall themes and influences teens are exposed to: a. Are you surprised at any of your findings? b. How do you think parents should be educated? c. Find a research article about adolescent peer pressures or media influences and apply it to your findings. d. How will you integrate this knowledge into providing healthcare for teens? A. Find two teen magazines (“Seventeen”, “Teen Magazine”, “Teen People”, “Teen YM”, etc.) 1. Analyze the table of contents, what do you think the most important issues to teens are based on table of contents? 2. Look at ads, what is being marketed to teens? 3. What are the physical characteristics of the models in the ads? 4. What values are promoted in the articles? 5. What are the advertisements in the magazines? What do you notice about the products advertised? 6. What health advice is given, if any? B. Listen to FM 99.5, 101.1, 95.5, 98.7, or 94.7 radio stations. Listen to songs on two of these radio stations for at least 30 minutes. 1. Make a list of the songs you heard on each station. 2. What was the general connotation for the song? 3. How often and in what context do the lyrics mention sex, drugs, tobacco, friendship, or violence? 4. What values are promoted by the lyrics? 5. What terms are used to describe sexual behavior of both women and men? 6. What commercials were played in between songs? What did you notice about the products advertised? C. Watch at least two different shows directed to adolescents, such as, but not limited to: “16 and Pregnant” “Teen Moms” “Real World”, “One Tree Hill”, “Family Guy” “The Simpsons” “Glee” “Greek” “Vampire Diaries” “Pretty Little Liars” “Gossip Girl” “90210”. (Most of these shows can be found on www(dot)hulu(dot)com or www(dot)cwtv(dot)com) *Please let me know for prior approval if the shows you watch are not listed above. Remember this is tv directed at adolescents, so some shows may not be relevant. 1. What are the major themes of the episodes? 2. Count the number of times and in what context sex, alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or drugs are referenced in the program. What terminology was used for drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol? 3. What connotations are made? 4. What physical characteristics are highlighted? 5. Describe the main characters physical attributes. 6. What values are discussed or portrayed? 7. What commercials are played? What did you notice about the products advertised? D. Look online and find at least two teen websites. 1. Compare and contrast the content for these sites. 2. Are there any legal disclaimers on entry to these sites? 3. What values are promoted on these sites? 4. What are the major themes of these websites? 5. What pictures are used on these websites? What are the physical attributes of the people in any pictures? 6. How easy was it to find these websites? 7. What advertisements are on these web pages? 8. What are the topics on the discussion boards? 9. Is there a chat room? If so, join in on one and read the topics that are being presented. What topics are being discussed?