Editorials

     We often don’t think about the effect that teen media is having on the average adolescent, but in reality, teenagers are constantly being influenced by the everyday shows we know and love. The real question is how they are being impacted: is modern adolescent television affecting today’s teenage community for better or worse? The answer lies in teenagers’ reactions to some of today’s most popular young adult shows and the potentially dangerous hidden messages behind many iconic pop culture milestones.

An interesting take on the matter is presented in Stuart Wolpert’s “Can TV shows help teens navigate bullying, depression and other mental health issues?” Wolpert references a study conducted by UCLA’s Center for Scholars and Storytellers with a purpose of analyzing how the mental health of teenagers was affected by a popular Netflix show: 13 Reasons Why. The production itself was shrouded by controversy due to the troubling issues it addressed both within adolescents’ lives and the world as a whole. Many people claimed that it explored topics that were far too problematic and intense for teenagers, but, interestingly, adolescents themselves had a much different perspective.

Teenagers shared that after seeing the complex mental health problems presented in the show, they began to want to learn more about them, even beginning to discuss such issues with their fellow peers. Yada Uhls — founder and executive director of the center — commented, “‘Our results demonstrate that these kinds of challenging and realistic stories inspire youth to talk about and learn more about mental health’” (Wolpert). In a time where such problems are becoming common to a point of serious concern, this offers a glimmer of hope — and proves that shows delving into deeper topics may just be the key to reaching out to young adults facing these issues in their own life. 

However, “CULTURE: As Seen on TV – The Reality of Teen Drama Television” by Idone Rhodes of the Yale Daily News suggests that certain teen shows can do just as much harm as they do good. Much like social media and other online platforms, teen media often contributes to the unreasonable expectations of the adolescent community. The presentation of certain ideas can come across in a negative manner, an idea that was reinforced by Yale psychology professor BJ Casey, who added, “The adolescent brain is so sensitive to social and emotional cues and contexts that I think they’re incredibly drawn by this entertainment because they’re trying to understand everybody’s responses to everyone’s behavior” (Rhodes). When they are drawn to this negative content, though, there can be disastrous effects.

Take Gossip Girl, for example. “XOXO, Gossip Girl” is one of the most famous signoffs in all of teen media after this show in particular became known as a cultural icon of the 2000s. While many people enjoy watching the show, contributing to its rise to fame, the glamorous, rich lives of the characters of the “Upper East Side” aren’t the only things explored by the show. “Gossip Girl, the Male Gaze, and the Real World” by Madeline Kaplan talks about how a consistent pattern throughout the show is the idea of the “male gaze.” She suggests that the show may be adopting toxic viewpoints of objectification and sexism, and adolescents watching the show have come to subconsciously accept this idea in the process. 

Other shows, though, promote more positive ideas. “Gilmore Girls Family Lessons” by Elizabeth Hansen dives into the wholesome themes of a fan-favorite: Gilmore Girls. This show takes a more nostalgic approach to teenage life through the story of a mother and a daughter, exploring topics of home and togetherness — ideas that adolescents should keep in mind during such an uncertain time in their lives. Kamna Muddagouni’s “How ‘Riverdale’ Is Setting A New Benchmark For Diversity In Teen TV” talks about how popular television show Riverdale is able to reach out to viewers in a different way. Muddagouni claims that Riverdale takes on a more diverse perspective, allowing for viewers to feel more connected to the show and feeling like their voice and their issues were heard. In fact, this is even seen in shows that many people wouldn’t expect. Vogue’s article “How ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Reflects High School Experiences” by De Elizabeth asserts that despite Pretty Little Liars’ dark thriller plot, it was able to reflect the common experiences faced by many adolescents through the emotional and mental journeys of the best friends throughout the show. 

While certain adolescent shows send out controversial messages that can have detrimental effects on the impressionable teenage mind, many of them also act as an outlet for teenagers, helping them deal with issues both within their own life and that are bigger than just themselves.

Perhaps the best advice one can offer to the average teenager is not to steer away from certain media — but instead that they should be conscious and cautious of what they take away from it instead. 

Teen media could truly make its mark on the adolescent world, but it is teenagers themselves who decide how it affects them.

XOXO,

Isha Nair

Image Credits: Klikk

AI has made its significant impact around the world, and it has started to be used by students of a variety of ages, but there is one concern: Is it helping them learn, or just making them lazy? AI can be used in a variety of ways, but depending on which way one chooses will determine whether they are being proactive or lazy. Students may be using AI for plagiarism and copyright, but some may be using this complex system to their own benefit. Using AI, students can come up with new ideas and inspiration, and bots like ChatGPT can become their own personal study buddy. Although this all may be true, different perspectives can prove one or the other. 

Firstly, AI programs can provide stability and support, as some researchers believe. According to Cal Newport, students aren’t particularly asking AI to write their essays and school responses; rather, they are talking about them. Based on Newport’s interviews, he claims, “it became clear that the students’ goal was less about reducing overall effort than it was about reducing the maximum cognitive strain.” The constant overdose of information can cause loads of stress, and it has happened to all of us. One can have so much information to write about, yet they can still be stuck on how to start, and this stress can reduce our brain function, as well as our ability to think clearly. AI can give ideas out; for example, if one is writing a compare and contrast essay, one may be wondering which of their points can be supported in the best way possible, and AI can help them rule that out. One can constantly ask questions without a physical person nearby. But, AI doesn’t only have to be used for school. It can be used to design a room, recipes, motivation, and so much more. 

Although many may see AI evolution as beneficial, there is a contradicting story to this theory, according to Rikki Schlott from the New York Post. Schlott’s piece, “Educators warn that AI shortcuts are already making kids lazy: ‘Critical thinking and attention spans have been demolished’” Researchers at MIT’s Media Lab decided to experiment to test this theory. A group of 54 people, with an age range of 18-39 years of age were split into three groups. All writing SAT essays over the course of four months. One group used ChatGPT, one used Google, and the last, “brain-only.” Multiple scientists measured their brain activity over this period of time, using EEG scans. They found that the ChatGPT group showed lower attention spans and attention levels, and had the lowest brain engagement while writing. These participants in the ChatGPT category generally asked basic questions about their writing in the beginning, but as the end came near, they resorted to copying entire sections of writing. Whereas the “brain-only” group received much better results with engagement levels, ownership, and satisfaction with their work. 

AI has altered the way humans think and behave to this day, but depending on how one uses AI sites, it can portray the benefit or the doubt. Speaking to the bot about your essay is one thing, but once a student starts copying, they are going down the wrong path. The student may have no understanding of what they are doing, and by simply copying the prompt, they have a perfect response with no work required. Luckily, we now have AI checking bots, and teachers can track how much work is original vs. fake. If a student is struggling and asking ChatGPT for help, they are most likely to get a much better grade than students who are cheating off this AI system. Although AI may be useful in some ways and can lead students to ultimate success, there are some contradictions with the program, leading to large failures. 

Image credits: atriainnovation.com