Audience Theory 2

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?

Social learning theory suggests that people learn from one another via observation, for example through watching movies or playing video games. I think the media is partly responsible for anti social behaviour and violence, particularly in younger children. This is because they arent as mature or experienced and are still learning whats wrong and right, so if they see something they copy it. However i think that other factors have to be taken into consideration such as upbringing and surroundings, as these can also have a major impact on how someone acts.

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 becoming more relevant than it once was due to technology advancing and the increase in the use of social media platforms such as youtube. Young people are learning from social media and the internet as it is something we are surrounded by as it is used for most things, such as information, education and entertainment. The fact that people are now exposed to the media at such a young age means that is one of their primary sources to learn from meaning they follow in the footsteps of what they see other people doing online as young people such as children are still vulnerable.

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?

Mods/Rockers
AIDS
9/11
Ebola
Video nasties

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

Child safety
Cyber security
Digital privacy

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

Social learning
Coping strategies
Education/empowerment based solutions
Resiliency

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

No, because this would cause people to rebel and find alternative ways to access what has been restricted and feel like they have lost their freedom, also what may be considered as harmful to some may not be perceived the same way to others. People should have the choice to access what they want and make decisions for themselves.

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?

To a certain extent we are becoming desensitised to these things as they are something we see so often now compared to what we used to, that we become accustomed to it. For example we hear about shootings so much in the news now that we are used to it and audience reactions are lower as we're not as shocked by it anymore. On the other hand i dont believe that we are becoming desensitised to it as in response to what we hear through the media we as an audience are more cautious and on edge. For example, when the news was reporting events such as the increase in motorbike muggings, some people become more paranoid when they are out as the media has created a sense of fear.

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

Heavy internet use would be when somebody cant physically go a period of time without using it and might have withdrawal symptoms. If somebody used the media everyday as a their only source of happiness or a way to passively live through other peoples lives then this would be an example of heavy internet usage. It is something to be worried about in society as studies have proved that it could lead to depression.