Taarini Gurjar
The rise of social media has been the opening not just to endless possibilities, but also unprecedented challenges. Media platforms have unarguably provided us with a plethora of opportunities: it connects people, allows us to vocalise our opinions as well as share and materialise ideas. Contradictory to this, however, the advent of social media has also brought unparalleled dangers. With almost all celebrities, who children look up to on using media, children are bound to be influenced by them. At such an impressionable age getting easily swayed by what we see on our devices happens more than we can understand. So, does this mean that parents should be stern about their child’s use of the media? Or that celebrities should sensor their artistic expression and content?
The media is a world of its own. Put simply, the media is a way of mass communication, in order to disseminate information through music, photography, broadcasting, publishing and so many more methods. This sheer expanse of media is a rational reason for parents to be worried about what their children will be exposed to. However, there is a fine line between being concerned and being restrictive. While it is reasonable to be worried, parents at times will deny their children access to types of media, for example social media. Parents often compare the world when they were young to today’s world, but this excuse can be quite irrational. The world we live in today is very different from what it was, albeit just a few decades ago. When thinking of the media, the first few ideas that flood into your mind are of the negative impacts it can have. However, parents need to understand that it is not just a tool of leisure and entertainment, but awareness and education. In my opinion, it is important for parents to find that perfect balance: they should not be conservative because times are changing, but they should use their influence by showing them how to use the media wisely and carefully.
Once a child has access to the various media platforms, I do believe that both parents and celebrities are accountable for the influence the media has on a child. However, to an extent. When speaking of celebrities, there is a certain amount of hypocrisy. Most of them acknowledge that they are influential and wish to use that in a beneficial manner. Yet, when they are asked about their actions, they deflect. Although the brutal backlash received is also unnecessary, constructive criticism is often ignored and termed as ‘hate’. What influencers need to understand is the psychological aspect of a child being on a media platform. The audience watches and learns. A perfect example would be when Cristiano Ronaldo opted for water over Coca Cola, seeming as he dislikes the drink. Consequently, the company lost $4 billion. This perfectly demonstrates how people, especially children being at an impressionable age, watch and learn.
Of course, children should also have the maturity to use the media for the right reasons. To enforce this, many applications have set a minimum age for which they can be used. However, this is something that isn't enforced strongly and can be easily overlooked. That maturity level can also be decided by logical and fair reasoning of the parents. Furthermore, celebrities should cater their artistic work to their audience, especially when they acknowledge that their platforms are only blossoming because of their followers. Celebrities have a right to use the media and exert their influence. Yet, with rights comes responsibility. Therefore, they must be mindful of their actions and vigilant in their use of the media.
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