Media plays an influential role in the lives of teens. As a whole, media usage has an overall negative impact on teens. A predominant issue associated with teen media usage is the distractions it causes for them, often taking them away from family time and schoolwork. Furthermore, another major issue with media is that, on a technological level, it is a platform for cyber bullying. In addition, media often glorifies negative behaviors, which may lead teens to drink and use drugs as it is portrayed as “cool” by many forms of media. Through the distractions it causes, its platform for cyber bullying, and the fact that it glorifies negative behaviors, media has a disruptive and negative influence on teens.

Teens are major consumers of media be it radio, television, social media, among others. With this major and constant connection to media teens are faced with many distractions. “The most comprehensive research ever conducted into crash videos of teen drivers has found significant evidence that distracted driving is likely much more serious a problem than previously known. Distractions, often from media cause 6 out of 10 teen crashes.” (http://newsroom.aaa.com/2015/03/distraction-teen-crashes-even-worse-thought/) Teen drivers, often heavy users of social media, may be tempted to view media while driving. The media is especially influential to teens as they have shortened attention spans …show more content…
Media makes it much easier for teens to bully each other. Cyber bullying through social media is especially prevalent among teens today. “About 20-40% of all youths have experienced cyber bullying at least once in their lives.” (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/50747563209001857) Cyber bullying can have long lasting effects on its victim. Media, social media in particular, provides new and less traditional ways for teens to bully each other. The detrimental effects of cyber bullying include emotional and academic