Posted: June 11th, 2022

The Impact of the Media on Juvenile Delinquency

The Impact of the Media on Juvenile Delinquency

Abstract
One of the root causes of increased rates of juvenile delinquency has been excessive cexposure of crime and violence in various media platforms. In the contemporary world, the young individual is highly exposed to violence in films, video games, music among other ways. This leads to them developing aggressive behavior and violent tendencies which they exhibit in their real lives. Without proper guidance and supervision means the children cannot differentiate real life to fantafsy an will apply what they see in their normal lives. This research looks into how the young person has been influenced by media platforms causing an increasing rate of juvenile delinquency.
Introduction
Undoubtedly, children and young individuals form the core of society and the cornerstone of countries (Al-Karbi & Mai, 2018). They are considered the hope of a country in building glory and establishing civilizations. Nonetheless, one of the most significant threats to the young community is the juvenile delinquency phenomenon. This is a malignant problem that threatens the country and is a violation of both rules and principles. Fundamentally, the matter is identified, investigated and the causes determined to be confronted and prevented from the society (Al-Karbi & Mai, 2018).
Media has played a significant role in how the lives of all persons turn out as it affects their human behavior, clothing, appearance, and personalities (Al-Karbi & Mai, 2018). However, the depiction of violence on media platforms has attracted a lot of attention. Considering it is now shown in more significant quantities, it has become more graphic, more sexual, and even sadistic. As the children and young persons watch this violence and crimes, it is evident that they are considerably influenced in terms of their attitudes and behaviors. The constant exposure to violence through television, video games, music, and films has led many children to engage in violent behaviors. Young people, especially children, are at a development stage where they cannot differentiate reality from fantasy. Therefore, the children will want to engage in these behaviors even as they play, and without proper supervision and counseling, they develop the violent behaviors that foster juvenile Delinquency.
Literature Review
Following the technological determinism theory, it becomes easier to understand why children and young individuals constantly exposed to crime and violence are at risk of juvenile Delinquency (Njoroge, 2013). The theory indicates that media technology has shaped how persons within society will think, feel, act and operate as they move across various technological ages. These processes happen the way they do due to the messages received via the available media platforms. For instance, the television will engage the hearing and visual senses of an individual, transfer the developed senses into their daily lives, and utilize them constantly (Njoroge, 2013). This theory also posits that with the advent of new technological systems, the culture or society will promptly change to reflect if these senses are required to utilize the new technology. There is generally a cause and effect analysis between introducing new technologies and changing society’s ways of thinking, feeling, acting, or believing.
According to Sikka (n.d.), mass communication media is now very fundamental for disseminating information and education as it provides entertainment. As it offers cultural nourishment, the platforms contribute substantially to Juvenile Delinquency and crime. The learning processes of children are heavily affected by what they read, hear and observe. Therefore, when they get offered materials that go against the desired norms of a civilized society, the children’s values and attitudes are corrupted (Sikka, n.d.). Each media platform will have its negative contribution to juvenile Delinquency. However, their effects are evident on four primary counts; helping the young ones get deviant and criminal techniques, making Delinquency and crime look appealing, and encouraging the belief that crime is beneficial, according to criminal glamour or sympathy finally stimulate sexuality (Sikka, n.d.).
Mass media has also affected the socialization of children and young adults leading to juvenile Delinquency. Since the children are influenced by what they see and understand, together with the fact that they have not reached a level of maturity to understand the severity of an offense, they will engage in the crimes voluntarily with the thought of living their best life (Pathak, 2017). These children only have one perspective of crime and violence coming from the media platforms. They spend most of their time engaging them; hence, other stakeholders find it challenging to compete with the platforms. Statistics have shown since 2008, the number of juvenile offenders has increased by almost 25%, with media playing an important factor. Notably, Pathak (2017) indicates that the media needs to be part of the initiatives considered to prevent and moderate social violence. These platforms where the young individuals are learning about crime and violence should also shape the positive attitudes and beliefs that uphold the desired societal values.
Discussion
Excessive exposure to crime and violence desensitizes the adults in society, while those under the age of 18 are influenced negatively. Some of the adverse effects include aggressive behavior, such that the children are taught to be more aggressive and less sensitive to pain and suffering. They develop fearful attitudes towards the world around them, cold-blooded as the media violence desensitizes them to real-life and fantasy violence. The children will consider violence a regular part of their daily lives and incorporate it into their individual lives. Exposure to media violence increases their desire to see more of it in their real life. They will think it is an acceptable way of handling conflict and subsequently engaging in juvenile crimes.
Considering televisions and movies, their shows popularize the “cult of heroes’ ‘ that promotes justice via the physical elimination of enemies. Numerous scholars have concluded that young individuals watching more violence become very aggressive and violent, especially when provoked (Goidel et al., 2007). This is the main trait for the children between that age of 8 and 12 who are more vulnerable to the influences. The media will bring a person to violence in three paths. First, the films showcase the violence that excites the spectators, and the aggressive energy is transformed into one’s daily life (World Youth Report, 2003). The second way is when television portraits ordinary daily violence done by parents or peers. It is difficult to find shows that are not portraying the patterns of violence since viewer approval of these programs has made sure of its perpetuation. Therefore, children are continually exposed to violence in distinct situations, and the media continues to show numerous acts of them. The third way is that violence shown on media platforms is not real but with a surrealistic quality. Therefore, the wounds bleed less with the people that are hurt, showing less pain and agony. The children will learn that the impacts of violent conduct are negligible and will easily incorporate it (World Youth Report, 2003). Over time, the media has caused a shift in human values and indirectly causes the young population to look at violence as a considerable thing and even a courageous manner of reestablishing justice. Nonetheless, the main effect of this is that more young individuals start and continue to engage in juvenile delinquent activities that threaten society’s harmony.
Apart from the direct effect of exhibiting violence in their real lives, the excessive exposure poses a risk of experiencing health challenges, engaging in alcohol and tobacco abuse, sexually risky behaviors, poor academic achievements, and even dropping out of school. The impacts of excessive exposure will have these individuals experience a decreased attention span, and impaired school performance, reduced family communication, and increasingly abused drugs. When the children feel that they do not need school or education, they could easily connect with peer members who followed the same path. They form gangs that look to engage in crime that they have learned through the platforms to get the things they desire. They engage in robbery, illegal drug selling, and abuse and leave their families, especially when the parents and guardians constantly push them to change their ways. Many gangs in communities recruit young people to commit their crimes, increasing juvenile delinquency rates, with the root cause being media consumption.
Conclusion
Media platforms are consistently posing a threat to the proper development of the young population, especially psychologically. Excessive exposure to crime, violence, drug abuse, among other wrong tendencies, has pushed the young population to develop the wrong behaviors and personality characteristics. The effect is that the rate of juvenile delinquency increases. However, it is also evident that tailoring the media depictions to portray the desirable societal norms and values should help the community in ensuring the chi9ldren acquire these values.

References
Al-Karbi, M. A., & Mai, M. Y. (2018). The Impact of Media on Juvenile Delinquency in the Care of Abu Dhabi and the Fujairah-United Arab Emirates. European Journal of Education, 1(3), 7-17.
Goidel, R. K., Craig, M. Freeman, & Steven T. Procopio. 2006. The impact of television.
Njoroge, R. I. T. A. (2013). Impacts of social media among the youth on behavior change: a case study of University students in selected universities in Nairobi, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University Of Nairobi).
Pathak, K.V. (2017). Juvenile Delinquency: Role of mass media. International Journal of Academic Research and Development. 2(6), 279-282.
Sikka, K. D. (n.d.). Juvenile Delinquency and the mass media. Indian J. Soc. Work, 42(1-4), 105-111.
World Youth Report. (2003). Chapter 7. Juvenile DELINQUENCY. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/documents/ch07.pdf

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