*There’s a lot of research connecting media consumption with perceptions and behaviors around morality. Here are some key stats and findings that illustrate how media might influence or reflect immoral behavior:

1. Exposure to Violence & Aggression

• American Psychological Association (APA): Found that exposure to violent media is linked to increased aggression in children and adolescents. • Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (2017): Regular exposure to violent TV content was associated with desensitization to violence and decreased empathy. ⸻

1. Sexual Content & Risky Behavior

• Kaiser Family Foundation: Teens who watched high amounts of sexual content on TV were twice as likely to initiate sex within the following year. • Journal of Adolescent Health (2014): Media portrayal of casual sex without consequences has been linked to increased risky sexual behavior in teens. ⸻

1. Substance Use

• National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA): Teens who frequently watch shows that depict substance use are more likely to try alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. • Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs: Exposure to alcohol use in movies is strongly associated with early-onset drinking. ⸻

1. Materialism and Dishonesty

• University of Illinois Study (2015): Children exposed to more commercial media had higher levels of materialism and were more likely to justify dishonest behavior to achieve personal goals. • Journal of Consumer Research: Found that reality TV viewing was correlated with greater acceptance of manipulative behavior and the belief that success justifies any means. ⸻

1. Social Media and Ethics

• Pew Research Center: 64% of Americans say social media has a mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country today, often citing misinformation, harassment, and unethical behavior. • Journal of Adolescence (2020): Teens who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media were more likely to engage in cyberbullying or be exposed to it.*

 

*I used AI to get this information and I know I said on the main page that I believe AI is another tool of the devil but I believe there are still sometimes when AI can be used for good purposes. It can still be useful to get information but not all the information may be one hundred percent accurate!