We humans are a bunch of manipulatable species where the media feeds off this ever-growing trait that lies within us all. It affects us in so many ways both consciously and otherwise, where half the time we aren't aware of what it is doing to us.

The biggest tool in the media that generates revenue by the millions everyday, is advertising. It is a creature like no other in the media world, that reaps in the big bucks. We'll take a look at how the media affects our culture by an overview of the pros and cons.

How Does Media Affect Cultures

The media affects people in varied ways, some of which are good while others aren't as pretty. Let's take a look at the good and bad side of media's influence on culture.

✔ +tive Aspects ✘ -tive Aspects
The media has its way of showing us constructive information when it comes to news channels, travel and other educational shows. Kids benefit from watching these, since it can boost self-esteem, heighten interest levels in a particular subject, or encourage them to ask relevant questions. Violence is a major factor when it comes to media, being a potentially dangerous instigator when it comes to young audiences. Kids are influenced easily by what they see on television or the Internet, mimicking such acts (if not as extreme, though on the lines of violence) on elders, or kids their age.
We have a sense of what is happening around us, with a fair insight about how things work elsewhere on the globe. We can view the world through the television, even if we are rooted in one spot the whole time. It is a getaway to places unknown, foreign, and magical with knowledge of what goes on around us without being physically present in that place. Advertising can jeopardize one's idea of what beauty and health is, seeing that products revolve around these two aspects in an outrageous fashion. Kids can become obsessed with the way they look, especially through beauty reality shows and magazines. It can lead to health problems like anorexia and bulimia, or use the antics of questionable celebrities in the industry as influences.
Video games today are increasingly active-oriented, making kids get off their behind and engage in games that require physical movement. This could help keep kids active indoors, if not outdoors. Obesity is on the rise for kids who plant themselves in front of the television, not budging for hours on end. We're talking about kids who do not have the latest PS / Xbox / Wii offering. This can fuel a child's inability to stay active, thus leading him / her to exponentially gain weight over time.
The media in all its forms can introduce us to creative outlets that can help us better ourselves in different ways, be it in our personal or work lives. It can change our perspectives and push us to do more than what we limit ourselves to. It can also help us engage with other people around the world, and be more open and understanding towards other cultures. The media can influence one to do things that aren't moral, like getting into substance abuse. Movies portray habits that are unhealthy as 'cool' or 'mature', forcing kids to be at par with cliques who use media as a tool to manipulate vulnerable kids of the sort.

The media can be used for or against us, depending on how we use it individually. Monitoring time spent on electronic media is important, where even things like magazines need to be considered when it comes to teenagers especially. With these points in mind, how media influences culture should give you an idea on just how powerful a tool it is in our present day and age.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-does-the-media-affect-our-culture.html