Audience theory 2: Notes

Audience theory 2: blog task

1) Social learning theory has been criticised for simplifying the causes of violence in society. Do you think the media is responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence?

I think the media plays a part in influencing anti-social behaviour as in our generation younger people are exposed to the media a lot more as there are a lot more devices to be exposed to the media to than 20 years ago. However, it is not the primary as there are many other factors which can influence them such as parental guidance, cousins, friends.

2) How is social learning theory relevant in the digital age? Are young people now learning behaviour from social media and the internet? Give examples.

Social learning theory is relevant because easily influenced people such as primary school children or even teenagers will find role-models on the internet such as YouTubers who have big followings, leading them to replicate their behaviours or mannerisms due to the infatuation of their fame. An example of this may be big YouTubers such as Jake Paul, Ksi, Zoella etc.

3) Research five examples of moral panic from the last 50 years. To what extent was the media responsible for these moral panics? Was the concern in society justified? How have things changed as a result of these moral panics?

Isis- In 2014 a series of be-headings of influential people were done by the organisation of Isis. The media was partly responsible as they were the people exposing everyone to the organisation however the horrific be-headings would still have made an impact regardless of whoever released videos, there is higher security in London due to Isis and its attacks.

ebola- This was a widespread disease prominent in Africa. The media was mostly responsible for the panic caused as there was a lot of unnecessary coverage because of the fact that the chances of getting Ebola in the UK were very low. Not much has changed however there was treatment made for Ebola.

Video-game violence- At one point in time the media believed that violent video was influencing younger people to partake in anti-social behaviour. The media was mostly responsible as they had heavy coverage of it, however, there were a few real-life cases where violent video games showed influence. Nothing has really changed since the moral panic and it may be argued that the idea of video games being influential has greatly deflated.

London knife crime- Recently, there has been a ridiculous rise in knife crime in London, the media has made this very known as many stories of numerous stabbings this year have been put out. This concern is very justified as the knife crime rates have been recorded at an all time high. The police have increased they're stop and searches.

Donald Trump becomes president- In 2017 Donald Trump became the president of the united states which caused a lot of people to be outraged, some media outlets were giving positive views on Trump, however, a lot of social media influencers were enraged due to his racist remarks and vulgar comments on certain topics. Not much has changed as a result.

4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on technopanics. What examples are given of techno-panics that create fear in society?

digital privacy, child safety, cyber-security.

5) How does the author suggest that technopanics should be addressed - rather than through government regulation?

Technopanics should be addressed by ongoing societal learning, experimentation, resiliency, and coping strategies rather than by regulation.

6) Do you think the internet should be regulated? Should the government try and control what we can access online?

I think that the internet should not be regulated as I see the internet as a way to explore things we are unaware of as a means to educate ourselves. Without a doubt illegal things should be regulated but that is the only aspect I believe should be touched upon. This is because if our goal is to protect younger people then there is no point in regulating the internet since there is already parental control options available which will regulate what you can see to a certain extent.

7) Apply Gerbner's cultivation theory to new and digital media. Is the internet creating a fearful population? Are we becoming desensitised to online threats, trolling and abuse? 

Gerbner's theory states that high frequency viewers of television are more susceptible to media messages and the belief that they are real and valid. The internet is creating a more fearful population as there are always stories about knife crime or terrorism which will automatically hypnotise the high frequency viewers as they are constantly exposed to the media. We are becoming desensitised as trolling and threats have become a normal part of the internet to the point where its simply become a routine for people to encounter.

8) Is heavy internet use something we should be worried about in society? How would you define 'heavy internet use'?  

we should be very weary of heavy internet use as it can stop people from prospering in life due to the obsessment with the internet and doing research or watching you-tube. I believe that heavy internet use would be defined as someone who uses the internet for extreme periods of time daily such as 6-7 hours a day.