Media Exposure Has Influenced An Individual s Opinion

Introduction It is no surprise that teens are almost always on a mobile device or a computer. In a Swedish survey conducted by Findhal and Zimic, 99% of 12-24 year olds have internet access (Mattebo, Larsson, Tyden, Olsson, Haggstrom-Nordin 2012). Media exposure has influenced an individual’s opinion because it has been known to reflect the public opinion (Chia Gunther 2006). According Fields and Schuman, as cited by Chia and Gunther (2006), the influence the media has done is known as a projection effect or â€Å"‘looking-glass effect’†, because â€Å"‘look out onto the world and somehow see their own opinions reflected back’†. Sexual harassment is defined as â€Å"unwanted, sex-related comments and behaviors that are appraised as offensive†¦show more content†¦Buchanan, According to Collinsworth, Magley, and Ramos, as cited by Buchanan, Rederstorff, and Settles, described that among plaintiffs, 69% of women were sexually harassed were reported to also meet the criteria for PTSD. In moderate to low level of harassment, there were negative psychological consequences as well, such as negative self-beliefs, personal, vulnerability, self-doubt, and powerlessness (Buchanan, Rederstorff, Settles, 2005). Additionally, Landrine and Klonoff, cited by Buchanan, Rederstorff, and Settles, argued that â€Å"sexist events are personal attacks on one’s gender, which is an essential, unchangeable characteristic of the self, the events may cause a result in an increase in psychological harm.† Teens today live in a world where media-based myths about sexuality and sex role behaviors (Fogarty 2006). The well-being of teenagers who were sexually harassed have expressed feelings of drop in self-esteem, insomnia, irritability, anger, betrayal, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts (Fogarty 2006). There have been reports of physical effects of harassment such as self-harming headaches, stomach pains, and eating disorders (Fogarty 2006). Fogarty (2006) also mentions that there have been a decrease in academic performances, distractions in work and school, and attendance at work and school are related to having been sexually harassed. Adolescents who have been exposed to sexually