Media Literacy Presented by The Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Council of Orange County Problem Gambling Prevention Specialist

Goals of Today’s Presentation Raise awareness about the media and the effect it has on our lives Raise awareness about the media and the effect it has on our lives Illustrate the techniques media use Illustrate the techniques media use Encourage you to use critical thinking techniques when consuming media Encourage you to use critical thinking techniques when consuming media

Are you influenced by the media?

Have media influenced you?

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What Media Literacy is & isn’t Using critical thinking skills to sort through media’s messages Using critical thinking skills to sort through media’s messages Watch…but carefully Watch…but carefully

FACT Young people who use alcohol before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to become alcoholics.

Alcohol & Sports 61% of all alcohol advertising went towards ads during televised sporting events in 2003.

Money, money, money… The average 30-second commercial during Super Bowl XLII (2008) sold for $2.7 million!

Mo’ money! Beer companies make $5 billion a year (2006) from underage drinking.

Underage drinking costs (2005)… Problem Total Costs in Billions Youth Violence$31.1 Youth Traffic Crashes$14.9 High Risk Sex, Ages 14-20$5.6 Youth Property Crime$3.1 Youth Injury$1.9 Poisoning and Psychoses$.5 FAS Among Mothers Age 15-20$1.1 Youth Alcohol Treatment$2.2 Total$60.3

10 corporations own 85% of the mass media in America

Ten Corporations CONTROL It All (TV and Radio Stations)  News Corporation (Fox News, NY Post, Harper Collins, Direct TV)  Washington Post Co.  Viacom (CBS, MTV, Paramount, GE (NBC))  Time Warner, Inc. (AOL, CNN, Warner Bros.)  Gannett Co.  Walt Disney Company (ESPN, Disney Channel, ABC)  Bain Capitol/Thomas H. Lee Partners (Clear Channel)  CBS Corporation  Comcast Corporation  Tribune Company

Advertising, particularly for fashion and cosmetics, has a powerful effect on how we see ourselves and how we think we should look. Women's magazines in particular have a tremendous influence on body image, with researchers reporting that teenage girls rely heavily on them for information on beauty and fashion [1], valuing their advice nearly as highly as that of their peers. Advertising, particularly for fashion and cosmetics, has a powerful effect on how we see ourselves and how we think we should look. Women's magazines in particular have a tremendous influence on body image, with researchers reporting that teenage girls rely heavily on them for information on beauty and fashion [1], valuing their advice nearly as highly as that of their peers. [2]The Taylor Research & Consulting Group, Taylor Kids Pulse: Where the Wired Things Are, as cited in Teen Media Monitor: Teen Girls, The Kaiser Family Foundation 2:1 [2]The Taylor Research & Consulting Group, Taylor Kids Pulse: Where the Wired Things Are, as cited in Teen Media Monitor: Teen Girls, The Kaiser Family Foundation 2:1

How do they manipulate us? Number one technique: Number one technique: Emotional transfer Emotional transfer

Number two Sex sells Sex sells

The AXE Commercials

Number three Be cool – Be cool – don’t be a geek! don’t be a geek!

Number four Humor Humor

Number five Violence Sells Violence Sells

How does media effect our… How does media effect our… compulsive compulsive spendingspending? spending body body body image? use use of addictive substances? relationships? relationships?

When did playing stop being fun?

Twenty years ago, the average model weighed 8 per cent less than the average woman – but today’s models weigh 23 per cent less. Twenty years ago, the average model weighed 8 per cent less than the average woman – but today’s models weigh 23 per cent less. [3]National Eating Disorders Association. National Eating Disorders Association Unveils Powerful & Provocative Ad Campaign. February 26, [3]National Eating Disorders Association. National Eating Disorders Association Unveils Powerful & Provocative Ad Campaign. February 26, 2009.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation 2013

Guys and Body Image Traditionally, most of the concerns about media and body image have revolved around girls, but more and more, researchers and health professionals are turning their attention to boys as well. A growing body of research indicates that although boys are less likely to talk about their insecurities, they too experience anxiety about their bodies. Traditionally, most of the concerns about media and body image have revolved around girls, but more and more, researchers and health professionals are turning their attention to boys as well. A growing body of research indicates that although boys are less likely to talk about their insecurities, they too experience anxiety about their bodies.

Which of the following statements is FALSE?  Depression can trigger drug and alcohol use?  Although illegal drugs kill twice as many people, alcohol causes more disabling diseases.  Children of alcoholics have higher levels of anxiety or depression than children of non-alcoholics.  Alcohol is a depressant.