The Impact of Mass Media on Society: Influence and Effects

In this blog, we'll cover Mass Media and its types, Media Literacy, Mass Communication elements, social media, and its impact on society, both positive and negative. We'll also discuss associated career opportunities for kids as per NEP 2020.

By Topperlearning Expert 31st Oct, 2023 | 07:44 pm

Millions watch a big event like an IPL Cricket match simultaneously. That forms a mass audience and attracts advertisers to sponsor the event and the telecast. Even though all these people can be reached simultaneously, they do not exist in the same social space. The technology that is intended to reach such a mass audience is Mass Media.

It is not everyone’s cup of tea to understand the functioning of media, the agenda behind different media messages, and the increasingly interactive forms of media for the more significant benefit of our society and delineate the information.

All these issues call for developing new skills, understanding and enhancement of critical thinking abilities, which raises Media Literacy.

So, Media and information literate people can make independent decisions without being unduly influenced by others on different media messages.

To become Media and Information Literate, one should develop the following competencies:

Coming back to Mass Media:

A Mass Media is essentially a working group organized around some device for circulating the same message, at the same time, to a large number of people.

Mass communication is the process of imparting and exchanging information through mass media to large population segments.

The forms that mass communication can take are:

Elements of Mass Communication:

The major difference between Communication and Mass Communication is:

Activity:

Mass Media & Society

Advantages of Mass Media on the Society

Educate people through various Media platforms.
Get aware of the latest news in a very short time.
People grab information or entertain themselves while they are on go.
Great in promoting mass consumer products.
Leads to diffusion of different cultures as it showcases different cultural practices.

Disadvantages of Mass Media on the Society

Addictive Some content are not suitable for children.
Increase in advertisements in TV or radio makes it less attractive.
Increasing possibilities of fraud and hacking. Health problems.
It can lead to personal injury.

There are 4 classic functions of the Media:

Types of Mass Media

New Media

Social Media and OTT Platforms are types of New Media.

Social media is a type of new media that allows people to connect and share information with each other online. Some popular social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Companies can use social media to promote their products and services to a large audience. This is called digital promotion.

The different ways companies can use social media to promote their products are:

Writing and communication skills

Possessing strong grammar and punctuation skills is crucial. Simplifying information under pressure is a vital component of media writing.

Poor research is a significant contributing factor to writing errors, in addition to grammatical ones. To create any content - written, visual, or spoken - it is essential to research historical details, background knowledge, and "plagiarism.

"Activity:

Cyber safety for children

The goal of cyber safety is to minimise threats to one's safety and security, as well as to any private information or property that may be obtained while utilising the internet.

Cyber safety measures for self-protection from computer crimes are:

Careers in Mass Media

Media studies graduates typically enter careers in the media, cultural and creative industries.

Work areas include television and radio, film and video, digital media, computer games, journalism, writing and publishing, PR, marketing and media practice.

The following professions can be chosen after the completion of Media studies:

Few more professions in Mass Media are: Photography, Broadcast Journalism, Advertising and VFX & Animation.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, mass media is a double-edged sword that can shape society positively or negatively. As we navigate this digital age, harnessing its potential for societal good is crucial while mitigating its negative impacts. This balancing act requires critical media literacy, stringent regulations, and active participation from all stakeholders. The future of mass media is not just about technological advancements but also about the ethical and responsible use of these powerful platforms.

As there are multiple career options available in Mass Media, anybody interested in any of the discussed professions can opt for Mass Media Studies and build a successful career. You can either go for some online learning website or do a course from any reputed institute/college.

At Topperlearning, we help kids prepare for these opportunities by teaching them about Mass Media, Data Science, A.I, and other skills according to the NEP 2020 plan with their CBSE, ICSE and Other boards curriculum. So, let’s go on this exciting adventure together and discover all the fantastic things we can do with it!

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FAQ's

Q 1. What is the purpose of mass media?

Ans: Communication is the main purpose of Mass Media as it circulates the same information, at the same time, to large number of people.

Q 2. How does mass media influence society?

Ans: The impact of mass media on the society is both positive as well as negative.

Few positive impacts of mass media on the society are:

Educate through Media platforms
Update on latest news
Informative• Entertainment
Easily promotes mass consumer products
Showcases different cultural practices

Few negative impacts of mass media on the society are:

Addictive
Non-suitable content.
Lot of advertisements
Fraud and hacking
Health problems
Can lead to personal injury

Q 3. What are the different types of mass media?

Ans: Following are the different types of mass media:

Electronics media
Print media
Traditional media
New media

Q 4. What role does mass media play in modern advertising and marketing?

Ans: Through mass media, various types of advertising and marketing can be performed.We can print advertising in newspapers and magazines, television commercials, billboards, and direct mail with the help of traditional media.Using new media, advertising can be done online, such as display ads, search engine advertising, and social media advertising. Along with these, outdoor advertising and radio advertising can also be done.

Q 5. How has social media changed the dynamics of mass communication?

Ans: The way that an individual or a group of individuals connect and communicate has been profoundly changed by social media.Real-time news access has been made possible, and public awareness has grown. Thanks to social media, there's an incredible sense of urgency in our communication nowadays. Individuals may communicate directly with one another in any language, place, or culture, promoting community.

Q 6. How does mass media make money?

Ans: Click here to know more.