Survey finds that 74% students think social media is the best platform for news

To gain a deeper insight and understanding about the effect of media on the attitudes, beliefs and lifestyle of adolescents in the Delhi-NCR region, Department of Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, Fortis Healthcare under the guidance of Dr Samir Parikh, Director, conducted a survey amongst 1350 school-going teenagers aged 14-17 years in Delhi-NCR.

By: Editorial Team | | Updated: June 22, 2016 9:50 am

To gain a deeper insight and understanding about the effect of media on the attitudes, beliefs and lifestyle of adolescents in the Delhi-NCR region, Department of Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences, Fortis Healthcare under the guidance of Dr Samir Parikh, Director, conducted a survey amongst 1350 school-going teenagers aged 14-17 years in Delhi-NCR. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized to conduct the survey. (Read: Are you a social media addict? Are you suffering from FOMO?) Also Read - Are antibiotics safe for teenagers - What to expect?

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The survey results show that for nearly three-fourths of students today, social media is a tremendous influence. Students consider it the best platform and rely on it to catch up on latest happenings, trends and to follow fashion. Very few youth like to read to source information and instead rely on social media today for facts, news and information. Social media also influences their lifestyle, clothing and shopping. Celebrities and their activities in media also influence their self-image and interpersonal skills. Further, Reality TV shapes their behavior patterns and opinions. (Read: Increased internet or social media use causes sleep deprivation in teens) Also Read - Parenting tips: 5 ways social media affects your teenager's mental health

Overall, the study finds that media has a far-reaching impact on the minds and behavior of youth today. Their lifestyle choices, likes and dislikes are being fashioned by what they see on online and electronic media. As they take in whatever they watch or hear around them, the impact of the media on these young minds is actually staggering. A key concern is also that most students rely on social media for facts, information and knowledge as compared to books and magazines. Reading different kinds of materials goes a long way in making students creative and imaginative, however this is not the case as the study reveals. (Read: Facebook addiction can give you a cocaine-like high)

Key findings of the study:

74% students think social media is the best platform for information, facts and latest happenings.
77% students that their views were largely based on what they saw on television.
Only 24% teenagers reported that they liked to read, while 76% did not enjoy reading.
65% participants believed that celebrity-endorsed products are more reliable.
65% of the students reported feeling bad about their looks when they compared themselves to a celebrity figure.
72% adolescents reported that the products they purchase are influenced by what they see in the media. 62% students also reported that they felt compelled to follow the latest fashion trends
82% of the students believed that children learn to use offensive language by their exposure to the media.
85% of the students reported that they feel pressured to be on social media because their friends are on such a platform.
64% of students feel bad when their favourite contestant gets voted out of a reality show.
92% of the students believed that celebrities need to become more responsible in their actions in media.
97% of the participants agreed that media literacy would help students understand the social world better.