Media & Family Development

  As a frequent media consumer, I have come across many advertisements relating to food, drugs, and alcohol. The health concerns discussed in the textbook shed light on the influence advertisements may have on the health and wellness of children and adolescents especially. There have been many viral anti-smoking ads or often anti-alcohol ads but there are still different avenues found to participate in this behavior such as vaping. The book suggested some solutions to counteract the ads on drugs & alcohol or place higher taxes on those specific items. However, I think much of the advertisements and influence about this topic come from social media. When people are so casually sharing their day to day lives on social media, the appearance of vapes, cigarettes, or alcohol influence these kids into participating in these activities so they can fit in or make a name for themselves. What can be done about this budding issue from social media presences? 

In class and readings this week, we focused on video games.  I knew that video games has a large influence and importance in many people's lives. However, as someone who did not have older siblings who played video games, I was shocked to learn about the amount of time and energy people spent on video games. The statistics and stories linked with people who play pathologically have interesting statistics in the links to negative mental health, lower social abilities, and increased ADHD. I also thought the stories of those who have left partners for playing too much or for unrealistic expectations set because of video games shocked me. I have always thought of video games as something fun every once in a while to build connections with people but these statistics have shocked me this week! 

  Like many people, I feel like Harry Potter was a huge part of my development. I remember waiting for the movies to come out and going to the theater to watch them! I dreamed of getting a letter to Hogwarts and becoming a witch. It felt like a real world that I could be a part of!But, while the letter never came, I still feel very connected to the characters and that Wizarding World. The article we read this week was about how a therapist uses the Harry Potter stories in their therapy techniques. It was so extremely interesting to read how the people reading could find ways to explain how they felt using Harry Potter references. I loved reading about how a Boggart was an easy to way express their greatest fears and how they could overcome them by making it silly. Another use was the Mirror of Erised where the patients explain what they might see in the mirror. This mirror, which is only seen in the first book/movie, is supposed to show the greatest desires of those looking at it. ...