The Effects of Entertainment on Society – Negative Influences of Media

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(Last Updated On: June 4, 2023)

Entertainment has always been instrumental in shaping culture in our societies. The Media is often programming our minds through the influence of gripping entertainment. The addictive use of smartphones with the virtual unlimited access to apps, doesn’t help the issue much either. For the most part, much of this influence is negative and leaves lasting impressions on us. For as long the world exists, we will continue to witness the effects of entertainment’s colossal impact on society, be it positive or negative.

Society is a reflection of the home, so there is where the problem must be fixed. Teaching children sound principles, spiritual and moral values will help to offset much of the negativity they are bombarded with on a daily basis. Who will you allow to craft your children’s future? Will it be the wizards of negative entertainment and the media, or your awesome parenting skills?


What is Entertainment?

According to Wikipedia, entertainment is all about grabbing the “Attention and interest of an audience”. It also “Brings pleasure and delight”. With that powerful combination, many are waiting to take advantage of the opportunity to plant seeds in ripe young minds, all with the intention of influencing who they become in the future. 

Entertainment, apart from bringing pleasure and delight to an audience and grabbing attention, sometimes its purpose/agenda is to manipulate our minds and redirect our value system. Just look around at the growing challenges within our society. We are bombarded by entertainment and some have an insatiable desire for more, and so it’s constantly churned out.

Entertainment adds excitement to life. It can provide an escape from a not so glamorous life as real-life can seem pretty dull by comparison to the “reality” created for us on television. So, we fantasize by escaping into the adventures of our heroes or we identify with the captivating portrayal of a life we wish we had. But why is negative entertainment so much a part of our culture? What kind of impact does entertainment have on our society in the long term?

Much of what we accept as entertainment today has desensitized sexual purity, murder, violence and crime of all sorts, as is constantly spewed at us from movies/TV shows, and  “celebrities”. Have you noticed that many shows push us to favour the bad guys, while in the music industry, the thug/gangster life is glorified? 

It’s mission is designed to second-guess our integrity, spiritual and moral values, in the name of rights and freedom of expression. Left alone, it would rob succeeding generations of any basic values. Still, the ability to pass on the baton of character and integrity is within our control. We can still influence the future, but we must take action now.

Taking Back Control of our Relationships

The relationship is the most rewarding and fruitful union on earth and always will be. If we zero in – marriage and the family. If we zoom out to see the result of the fruit of all this over time – our society and the world.

The quality of our relationships defines who we are as a society. Relationships are a valuable investment we must all strive to protect.

We build houses and institutions to protect and nurture our relationships. There, we teach established principles and values based on spiritual, ethical, learned lessons. This results in a culture that empowers people to function at their best in their respective areas while passing on worth to the ensuing generation. This is the fountain of human existence in a nutshell.

Negative entertainment with its warped perceptions of life shouldn’t dictate or define us. We are responsible for instructing and protecting those entrusted to us; hence the family model. We, with God’s help, are the guardians of our own heritage. We must be committed to playing our part in protecting the future generation, starting in the home. We must discard the things which oppose the ideal family model. We must work hard to overcome all obstacles and become the greatest influence in our society again.

Choosing Good Role Models

masks - mirror image - https://betterhumanbeings.com/the-effects-of-entertainment-on-society-negative-influences-of-media

It is no secret that people tend to pattern their lives after their influences. In most biographies of just about every accomplished person, you may have noticed many names mentioned as the reason for their inspiration. Our influences are powerful factors in our lives. We are the sum of all our influences and our decisions to date. We should choose our influences carefully because their “superpowers” become a part of us, one way or the other. 

You may be saying, but isn’t there positive entertainment? Yes, there is – but it is well known that packaging the good with the bad doesn’t lessen the impact of the “bad”. The saying “One bad apple can spoil the barrel” certainly applies here. The best way to communicate a negative is to package it with a lot of positive.

We have no control over what is produced by the entertainment industry so we have to exercise the only control we have, in our homes. The things we seek to protect our investment in our relationships from are the same things the entertainment industry glorifies. No wonder we struggle to raise our children.

How Entertainment Influences Society

How does culture shape our identity? Now, isn’t it bad enough for negative influences in entertainment to offend us occasionally? Sadly, that’s not the case. These effects are designed to be long-lasting and are also crafted by

  • the art of persuasion
  • psychological analyses and research
  • great packaging inclusive of;
    • paraphernalia – for creating and sustaining a movement that will last beyond the event
    • video games – gain followers and sustain the brand
    • websites/social media – promote social interaction, influence trends, build numbers, create buzz, influence through shares and “likes”
    • corporate partnerships –  general advertising, promotion on cereal boxes, etc.
    • billboards – general promotion and awareness
    • trailers/promos – build excitement and gain followers

All powerful tools that further reinforce the impression on our minds. Now we understand why so much goes into special effects and marketing of content.

What we allow to affect us depends on our belief system, our compliance with spiritual and moral stimuli, instruction from authority figures, and our common sense. A society is demoralized when powerful people use their influence to consistently impose negative messages, over time; and with little thought about what others think. This is usually driven by two things;

Scale - money and man in the balance

  1. Profit:  – An entertainment industry driven by profit, will result in compromise and lower values as there will be a requirement to please all. Eventually, society will mirror these values and merge them with real life
  2. Agendas:  – When the primary focus is to promote agendas that glorify a set of selfish unpopular ideas, concepts, and lifestyles,  society will deteriorate 

The Effects of Sex in Entertainment

Why is sex is everywhere and why is it so commonly found on television/movies, games, Ads, music etc.? Correct; it sells but it also provides a rush for those who are expecting it as a bonus or some kind of treat. That’s why the so-called “sex scene” is always anticipated in shows. 

As human beings, we are generally stimulated by varying doses of the sensual and this can become dangerous when handled irresponsibly. Whenever we are exposed to sexual messages in a song, a visual in a movie, some may experience tension. This tension can have varying adverse effects on people over time, causing the weak to act out inappropriately and take advantage of others. Most notably, children who are sometimes unsupervised and void of solid parental impartation and protection. These are the ones who suffer abuse when left alone in the presence of perpetrators.


The entertainment industry benefits from a free, available built-in 4-D special effect in us humans.

It leverages the natural sensations of sexual arousal and imagination in humans. Who doesn’t want to be sexually aroused, right? Hence, they meet market-demands and provide a solution. Their unspoken message is loud and reads like this;

Let’s satisfy some human needs, not humane, and cater to the fantasies of some at the expense of others. We will promote our own values whether they meet accepted decent criteria or not. We will set up our own boundaries. We don’t care whether you approve.

The problem is that all humans are caught in that sexual net whether;

  • they are of age
  • they want to
  • their faith/spiritual disposition, family or moral standards allow

Who gives the entertainment industry the right to determine your personal values? We may not allow them those rights in our homes and space but they sure have the “right” to do what they do. Let’s consider this though…

The things we probably don’t do in our own homes, we allow them to do via the entertainment network. Think about that for a moment. Who has greater authority in your home?

Is the Entertainment Industry a Reflection of Society?

Are they solely responsible for what they dish out or do we have a part to play?

Are the negative influences of entertainment merely a reflection of our society that the entertainment industry is capitalizing on?

Are they simply responding to what we want – market demands? Is it OK to meet those demands knowing that they may be adding to the problem? Then whose fault is it? Don’t we create those demands? The answers to these questions reveal the real problem at hand, i.e. the components of society. Unfortunately, as with any other industry, the objective is about satisfying demands, money, and influence. The responsibility to positively impact society is left to us.

I believe any industry involved in wielding great psychological power over others, should have higher accountability. Do you?

The Negative Effects of Entertainment on the Youth

There is research data that shows we are seeing the results of our youth acting out because of the negative influences presented by various entertainment sources. Namely, movies, music citing exposure to violence, illicit sex, misrepresentation of normalcy, and pushed from every corner. What makes this more frightening is when the environment at home is abusive. Young people who are troubled will be spurred by negative entertainment.

It is said that by the time an ordinary teenager reaches the age of 18, they would have witnessed around 16,000 murders and 200,000 acts of violence on TV. That’s nothing to do with gaming in which the occurrences are even greater per time spent playing.

Now that’s serious stuff. People negatively affected by negative programs will certainly be more difficult to deal with in the future. With our relationships and society affected, what will we do?  How can we break these controls and re-focus our efforts on restoring good values again? How can we break free of the negative influences and the agendas of the entertainment industry?


Conclusion:

We have all been influenced by some of what we consumed over the years. Everything has affected us in one way or another but it’s not always bad. It has made us who we are today. In spite of the negatives, there were also some positives that kept us steadfast and created balance.

Some of those negatives helped to make us strong and provided opportunities to showcase our integrity and character. If we have paid any attention to life, what we have learnt should put us in a position to protect others from needless harm.

Now, this topic has already shaped our present and will continue to define our future, so, we must be concerned. What we watch and listen to can shape our mindset and affect how we function and relate to others.

We must do our best to protect those we love from casual influences. The negative effect of entertainment on society is strong but we must be governed by God, principles, good values, and purpose. We are the defenders of our household. The future our loved ones get to inherit depends on us.

Build Relationships By Spending Quality Time with Others

Gorilla being entertained - impact of entertainment on society and relationships

Below, is a guideline you can use to restructure your life and improve values and quality time in your relationships. Enhance it however you like.

  • Turn off the TV(s) – only use for approved family entertainment.
  • Turn off the computer – if using it for work, assignments, research, fun; fine, but don’t overdo.
  • TURN OFF the smartphone sometimes –  Yes, you will live – just do it. Voice mail still works
  • Remove access and unsupervised exposure to negative entertainment from your underaged children – Yes, that includes removing devices or internet and cable access from bedrooms (unless you can properly monitor them)
  • Read positive books that promote love, forgiveness, sharing, general education, good values
  • Have regular family meetings and plan your own entertainment
  • Exercise and increase sporting activities
  • Pay attention to the type of music being listened to. Much of it is counter-productive and promotes promiscuity, rebellion, and the occult
  • Spend quality time talking about the future and helping one another to accomplish their dreams/purpose
  • Play board games

Once everyone is on board (pun intended), the result of doing this can be phenomenal if you manage to pull it off. Your relationships and quality of life will improve and be more meaningful. Life will be fulfilling as time is redeemed and repurposed.

Please share your views below in the comments.

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7 Replies to “The Effects of Entertainment on Society – Negative Influences of Media”

  1. I have to agree that we live in a desensitized society where nothing seems to be off limits. Parents need to familiarize themselves with tools that decrease or eliminate the ability to view whatever their kids want.

    However, I do not think kids should be raised in a bubble. I still show my little nephew the old cartoons with bugs bunny smoking and being generally awesome! There is always a middle ground to reach, but it is hard to find that line.

    I write a lot about the necessity of identifying what it important to you as an individual so that money doesn’t outweigh people, as you say. If you can identify your WHY, you’ll be in a better position to develop the types of relationships that you seek.

    1. Hi Ernest! I appreciate your response. We try our best to shield our children as much as possible and of course we can’t protect them from everything. They will have to use their own discretion and lean on the values we impart. However, I believe we have to protect them as much as sensibly possible, especially with the kinds of deplorable agendas that target our children. 

      I sent two of my children to private school and even though they were in a more docile environment than the public system, they have matured into well-rounded strong young men with extremely good values and impeccable character. 

      Thanks for your comments. All the best!

  2. Hi David!

    Very nice and important topic.

    Having said, the relationship is actually everywhere around us. We are involved in all kinds of relationships. Cultural, sportive, musical, political, religious, institutional etc.

    We relate to everybody and everywhere. We relate to nature, universe, neighbors, micro and macro world, animals.

    We relate in schools, at the sports club, in the movie, at home, in the theater …you name it.

    Hope the relationship will get better worldwide.

    The relationship is basic to many things.

    Wish You and your family, along with your environment all the best and best relationship you may have.

    Regards.
    Igor

  3. Hi
    Yes David
    The entertainment world continues to destroy young minds and of course relationships but individuals must purpose that they will do whatever it takes to rid their personal environment of the negatives of such.

    I once watched a movie where a man was unable to overcome the ‘pull’ of pornography and in his desperation he took the computer outside and hacked it to pieces. I thought it was funny but there are times we have to go to such lengths to preserve our minds, sanity and relationships. However, we must be desperate enough to do this.

    I agree that too many families are controlled by the television and the internet and these are separating us. Visit any home today and each child, along with the parents, can be found engaging with a gadget. I totally agree with bringing back board games into the home, exercising and increasing sporting activities as a family. I welcome families socializing at picnics and family gatherings, talking and getting to know one another. But the funny thing is, families do all of these together but the gadgets still come out in the midst of all the celebrations. Wow! I guess we have to be definitely DESPERATE to defeat this giant!!!!

    1. Hi Sharon!

      Thanks for sharing. You are right about controlling our own personal space. Once we do that, external (negative) influences become ineffective. You have made some interesting points here. The bottom line is this; we have to be the masters of the created thing, not the other way around.

      David

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