MIGRAIN: 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?

I believe it can effect but I don't believe that it should be blamed, The lack of supervision of parents when it comes to accessing this media should be blamed.


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.

Today I believe that social media is educating the younger generations more than their own parents (depending on the extent of media usage)

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?

Terrorism:
High responsibility, Led to increased western Islamaphobia

Opioid crisis:
High responsibility, Increased prison sentences and increased fear within parents

Video Game violence:
High responsibility, not much has changed in result

Fear of Heavy metal and hip hop:
High responsibility, not much of an impact or change

School shootings:

High responsibility, increased the number of people talking about the issue, other than that no effect.



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

Some of the technopanics given as examples include child safety online, digitalprivacy and cybersecurity 

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

The exact words used in the article are:

"to the extent that these concerns are valid, they are best addressed by ongoing societal learning, experimentation, resiliency, and coping strategies rather than by regulation." What this means is that instead of choosing to regulate online usage and technological advancements by introducing regulations, but instead should educate the public to understand how to effectively use the online and technological resources and how to avoid any possible dangerous situations."

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

I believe that the internet should be regulated, but not the extent where freedom of expression and freedom of speech are not snuffed out, the main targeted goal of the government is to try and stop online bullying, online privacy and security, and hate speech (I personally do not classify that as freedom of speech) 

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?

Since the rise of the internet, the brand new generation of people are becoming both fearful and desensitised in a variety of ways. In one aspect we as an audience are no longer surprised of hearing of a genocide in a third world country; while simultaneously the rise of moral panics that are being spread by social media. 

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

I don't believe that heavy use of social media is an issue, it just depends on how the internet is used; if the internet is used in order to keep updated on situations and keeping yourself aware of whats going on around you, along with using it as a source of entertainment is completely fine.