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Introduction
Reality television has grown in popularity, especially among teenagers and adolescent viewers, due to the rapid changes brought about by ever-evolving technological advances. There is a new view of television-based entertainment, education, and health problems because of reality television shows (Cohen & Weimann, 382). There has been a significant influence on young people’s overall behavior from television viewing due to the advancements in internet technology. Given that young people are more exposed to television and the internet, the impact of reality television shows on their lives cannot be overstated. We must never forget that adolescence is a time of rapid development and that the media they consume has a tremendous impact on their identity formation. This has a wide range of consequences, some of which are negative while others are positive. The reality shows’ damaging aspect focuses on distorted standards, values, and morality, which lead to undesirable actions as a result (Anderson 88). Viewing reality television, on the other hand, has been shown to improve viewers’ ability to think creatively, communicate effectively, and gain self-confidence through their imitation of show characters.
Reality Television
The content of television reality programs profoundly shapes young people’s views and beliefs on a wide variety of subjects. As a result, these programs provide clear depictions of what is real, what it means, and how it relates to questions of right and wrong. Media has become an all-powerful instrument in today’s society due to the increasing prevalence of internet platforms and their resulting ramifications and effect. Despite the ease with which media can now be accessed, young people will continue to choose watching television over engaging with new forms of media. Reality programs are made up of a variety of elements, such as thrills, relationships, conflict, a sense of belonging, and even emulation (Anderson 101). Insofar as these factors may have harmful consequences, there is no way to rule out potential advantages. Teenagers can benefit from motivation that leads to a shift in perspective, an increase in creativity, and the formation of solid behavioral standards, values, and ethics.
Written words were used to identify numerous individuals in the past, unlike now. First, celebrity was defined by intelligence rather than physical beauty and behavior. In today’s world, most people are only recognized by a name or an image that they have appeared on television or in the media. In particular, young women have been misled by this television-driven modern mentality into placing more value on their outward beauty than on their inner capabilities and character (Postman, 119). Popularity-obsessed people are drawn to reality television because of the swift climb to stardom of fictional characters who have a fake or perceived identities. Anxiety distracts them from focusing on the positive aspects of their lives.
Due to the fact that they employ themes that do not demand any intellectual ideas or processes, reality shows teenagers are more likely to develop an addiction. Conflicts, brawls, and even improper stuff keep viewers hooked to the screen. In his book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman argues that the content of television shows is lost in the transmission of information (Postman, 103). There are only a limited number of concepts that can be conveyed through information channels. The audience’s desire to be entertained outweighs the necessity to convey facts accurately. The information is therefore diluted and appears to be designed to meet certain demands. Knowledge, on the other hand, takes a back seat to amusement rather than the other way around.
Teenagers’ motivation is piqued by reality television, and this, in turn, leads to a shift in their attitudes or behaviors. Teenagers learn how to perform specific chores by emulating characters from a popular television show. A good illustration of this is when a character’s work in a show appears to be difficult and even impossible. Teenagers begin to perceive difficult challenges as stepping stones that can be reworked when particular characters complete their duties (Pietro). Furthermore, reality television inspires adolescent viewers to try out the things they see on screen. Their knowledge of the world and the connections between these shows and their own lives is therefore furthered.
According to Bamber, reality shows serve as a catalyst for the emergence of new ideas and approaches to technology development. When watching, teens are drawn to examine the conventions and tactics used in the production of programs, which gives them a sense of accomplishment and a drive to learn new things (Anderson 87). With the help of technology, students become more creative and more aware of their talents simultaneously (Schoorel 2). In addition, they use the abilities they have learned in the past to boost their newly discovered talents, which increases their chances of success. Teenagers benefit from these chances as they define and redefine their professional trajectories while copying a certain group of people (Lance et al. 292). With the help of reality programs, kids from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds gain self-assurance and learn how to maintain their composure in social situations.
Because it merely includes passive participation, watching television impairs the faculties essential for reasoned investigation. It is impossible for viewers of television programs to think critically about what they are seeing. It is impossible to objectively analyze the programs’ topics and themes since they change so quickly. Postman says that television alters the fundamental character of being informed by not allowing one to respond or take action in response to the information it provides. The recipient’s response or action is the foundation of any information or communication. Consequently, television should not be depended upon as a medium for transmitting knowledge and data requiring critical thinking (Cohen & Weimann, 382). This circumstance also encourages a skewed view of the world or just knowing things from a single point of view. A person’s knowledge is of little benefit if they cannot put it into action or allow it to influence their current experience.
There is a lot of evidence that reality programs may help teenagers who are coping with psychological issues. According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, many individuals have come to believe that the entertainment industry plays a critical role in educating the public about important health concerns like obesity (Lance et al. 292). Health institutions in the United States are increasingly relying on reality programs and entertainment media to spread their message. Watching reality television can also help teens with some mental health issues. Psychoses is an example of a reality show-based intervention method that works well for dealing with psychological issues. In order to better understand and relate to these performances, kids need to be exposed to psychoses in order to begin this process.
Another beneficial aspect of reality programs is their potential to instill in adolescents a sense of right and wrong behavior. In order to help its viewers distinguish between socially acceptable and socially undesirable conduct, these shows employ a variety of tactics. Teenagers are then able to discover a means to fight inappropriate behavior and embrace accepted rules of conduct within society (Cohen & Weimann, 384). Disparities in income and opportunity are among the many social issues plaguing today’s society. Teens who watch reality shows learn about these difficulties and develop strategies for avoiding them. Because of this, they can identify and address societal issues while also campaigning for social cohesion in the process. Teens are more equipped to fight for the rights of women and other marginalized groups when they see shows like these.
Even while the goal of reality programs is to make society a better place by entertaining and educating people, there are some unintended consequences. Norton believes that television programs encourage sexual promiscuity. Studies show that youths who watch sexually explicit television shows are more likely to engage in sexual activities such as passionate kissing, physical flirtation, intercourse, and personal touches (Lance et al. 292). Teens’ sexual conduct is negatively influenced by these shows’ violation of societal standards about modest attire. According to O’Keeffe, voyeuristic and improper sexual impulses are influenced by characters that dress indecently. In response to the rising levels of promiscuity in society, people do what they perceive to be the right thing to do. Teenagers’ heads are clogged with unsuitable material through reality shows, causing them to spend more time engaging in the same behaviors (Anderson 81). Because of this, they exhibit undesirable traits, including aggression and the use of foul language. Boyz n the Hood and Friday are two examples of popular African American television series that involve gangsters. Drugs, violence, criminality, and filthy language are common themes for youths in many of these shows.
After viewing reality shows depicting crimes, teenagers have a greater likelihood of being involved in criminal activity. Furthermore, some of these shows use harsh tones that teach young people to use abusive words to achieve their goals. It has the potential to affect society’s morality and, in turn, the hopes, desires, and abilities of certain young people as they mature by copying bad aspects of a reality program (Philo, 56). Destructive reality programs can lead to a loss of humanity in young people and a rise in society’s degree of insecurity if they are often seen by them.
Obsession is a result of obsessive viewing of reality television shows. Adolescents at this stage are more likely to engage in mindless hobbies like watching television than in more productive ones like sports or academics. And to make matters worse, the health of such a youngster is jeopardized since they are not participating in physical activity to the extent that they should. As a result, people experience physical and mental health issues, including obesity and depression. It is possible that some teens will watch a show to get their minds off their current predicament. They become depressed when their methods fail to deliver the results they desire.
In reality programs, participants are given the opportunity to show off their unique talents, their abilities, and their thoughts on the show is topic. There is a possibility for fame, fortune, and even better professional prospects for some of the contestants that take part. Inevitably, many contestants on these kinds of shows disappear. Becoming famous or disappearing from the public eye does not matter. There are many people who are not born with the capacity to deal with sudden financial success (Philo, 56). Participants egos can be inflated by fame, which can lead to reckless behavior that can lead to serious consequences. For example, the lure of celebrity status might lead to criminal behavior. On the other side, the inability to achieve after a period of being in the spotlight can also lead a person into depression (Philo, 57). Participating in reality television shows has been linked to a variety of mental health issues, including depression.
There is some evidence to suggest that what most, if not all, reality program viewers assume to be true may not necessarily be the fact. The reality of the programs is that happenings may not be what they appear to be at first glance. Stage-managed rehearsing and editing of certain situations are unavoidable before they are shown on stage. Children take in all they see and hear by copying and learning from the actions they witness in their environment. What they watch on television is one of these (Philo, 58). Children’s attitudes about aggressiveness and other violent actions can be shaped by the violence they see on television. As a result, children often mistake the program’s manufactured content for real-life events and experiences.
Conclusion
To summarize, reality television has a positive impact on teens in a number of ways. When putting up a reality program, there is a need to keep in mind the advantages that come with them. As a result, favorable effects on society’s well-being will be achieved. It is obvious that some of the negative effects will have an impact on how teenagers think about their lives, and this must be taken into consideration. As a result, there must be suitable safeguards in place to protect the audience from the potentially harmful effects of a program is content. To do this, these programs must be created in highly regulated and controlled environments.
Works Cited
Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. Penguin, 2018.
Schoorel, Martijn. Exploring Appreciation of Talent-searching Reality TV. BS thesis. University of Twente, 2019.
Cohen, Jonathan, and Gabriel Weimann. “Who’s Afraid of Reality Shows? Exploring The Effects of Perceived Influence of Reality Shows and The Concern Over Their Social Effects on Willingness to Censor.” Communication Research 35.3 (2018): 382-397.
Anderson, Craig A., et al. “The Influence of Media Violence on Youth.” Psychological Science in the Public Interest 4.3 (2020): 81-110.
Philo, Greg. Seeing and Believing: The Influence of Television. Routledge, 2019.
Lance, A., et al. “16 and Pregnant: A Content Analysis of a Reality Television Program About Unplanned Teen Pregnancy.” Contraception 86.3 (2021): 292. Web.
Pietro, Giorgio Di. “The Impact of Television Programmes on Teenage Career Aspirations: The ‘MasterChef Effect’.” Available at SSRN 2750287 (2019). Web.
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