Katie Johnson is a Queensland University of Technology Student who is in her final semester of completing a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Media and Communication) degree with a sub-major in journalism.
Originally, Katie had a desire to do a double degree in international business and journalism, however, after six months of study, decided that she would work better learning more than just how to write, and that business was just not her thing.
After completion of her degee, Katie will like to take up work within the radio industry. Taking volunteer work at local Redcliffe radio station Red997FM has helped Katie in understanding how part of the industry works, as well as further her passion.
BY: Katie Johnson
STUDENT NUMBER : 04111834
DUE DATE: 13 AUGUST,2004
WORD COUNT (NOT INCLUDING REFERENCES):1444
Click to email me
Media Effects
How has constant internet usage changed people's attitudes and behaviours?
This paper examined the term ‘moral panics’ by looking at Internet identities through Usenet groups. It defined moral panics as ‘the efforts of a particular group to exert collective moral control over another group or person’. The paper then proceeded to define this topic as ‘the identification of a problem perceived as a threat to a community or subset of a community’s values or interests’.
The paper used a Usenet group, alt.tv.melrose-place, as an example to describe how the use of the Internet had affected people’s lives by causing a moral panic. It detailed how an onscreen gay kiss that was never aired, generated subscribers to complain about censorship. The Internet was used as a way of ‘baiting a newsgroup, and then enjoying the conflict’.
In conclusion, this paper was a ripe source in explaining how the Internet could affect people’s thoughts and opinions, as well as the establishment and investigation of newer forms of Internet moral panic.
‘The Gay Cannibal’ was an article that was based upon a global flesh-eating Internet ring. In detail, the article described the many people that had a sexual desire to be eaten, and focused on one particular incident in which a German, Armin Meiwes, admitted to slicing up and eating Bernd-Jurgen Brandes.
The article described how Meiwes, posted an email with the words “I search a young boy between 18 and 25-year-old. Have a normal body, I butchering you and eat your horny flesh!� Upon posting, Brandes and Meiwes flirted electronically, before arranging to meet in person to perform the sexual request.
The article then went into detail of the butchering, and then continued onto Miewes being captured and put on trial for the murder. It stated that the reason he was caught was due to his consistent Internet search for more willing participants.
This article was an example of how Internet usage had affected people’s lives. In this instance, the Internet was used as a way to not only develop a cannibal fantasy, but to capture the participants as well.
This book looked at all aspects of the media, including the Internet, and discussed the extent to whether these media forms have had an impact on certain audiences.
It talked about mass persuasion from the presentation of media, and the differing audience cult texts and communities.
There was much focus on the censorship of certain materials and media, and how they in return may have had a certain moral panic towards the community. There was discussion on Internet audiences, its convergence and increased levels of interactivity.
This book was an effective way in understanding how the Internet was used as a way of presenting media-related materials, and gave an insight into the effects that it may have had on communities.
This journal was based around the top ten things that were wrong with the ‘effects model’. This involved the study of all media effects, including their weaknesses and strengths.
The Internet was documented in this journal as somehow being the motivation for those consumers who murdered innocents, committed suicide, participated in random shootings, and designed and made bombs.
It was found that the Internet was not in fact to blame for the negative effects, however lied more in the ideologies and misapplied methodologies of all forms of media. This commenced the notions of ‘what was wrong with the effects model’.
In conclusion, the journal summed up that people need to look at the more serious deep-rooted social factors and events that were happening in society, rather than point the blame on the Internet for people’s unruly behaviour.
This website was an indepth look into the differing types and controversies of mass media, including the Internet. It discussed the idea behind mass media - that they were messages used by watchdogs to justify restrictions on what mass media can or cannot be portrayed for public consumption.
The website focused on the history of mass media, ending with the use of the Internet. It provided a discussion based around the notion that the Internet could be used for many publications, broadcasts and postings.
The site referred to the effects that mass media could produce in relation to violence, sex, beauty, morality, tobacco, alcohol and food, and ideas. It also focused on some behaviours and attitudes that could take effect by its consumers, and admitted to mass media being able to shift attitudes with its accumulative and consistent messages.
This website was able to provide an understanding of the effects that Internet media can produce.
This article was an example of how constant Internet usage resulted in the suicide of Shawn Woolley. It detailed how Woolley quit his job and ignored his family so that he could lose himself in the 3D world of Internet game entertainment with a game called Everquest.
Outlined in this article was a brief explanation of what the game Everquest was about, as well as the psychological problems that Woolley had endured beyond Evequest.
Counselor and co-founder of Internet/Computer Addiction Services in Washington, said Woolley’s health problems put him in a category of people more likely to be at risk of getting addicted to online games. Parker then continued to talk about common warning signs that were associated with online addiction.
The article then described how this particular game was a way for people to act out a desired life that they may currently not be living in. Overall, this article focused on one particular person, as an example of the effects of constant Internet gaming.
This chapter explained how the Internet was used as a way to effectively persuade people’s behaviours.
The chapter focused on media being an adaptive tool, in that it was a super culture that was constructed in order to accommodate the interaction of diverse worldviews in our emerging global society.
It detailed the need for more public communication, new ideas and new information, all which would have the effect in stimulating people to want to behave in new ways. This was seen as having an affect on the environment in a positive way, as it was increasing ecological awareness, more geocentric cosmology. It also would make people attempt to find out the limits in which the natural environment could be pushed, as well as encourage social relationships.
The chapter explained that environmental and cultural factors, message content, distribution effects, and the influence these factors had on message interpretation were all key points in having a positive affect on users of the Internet.
This chapter focused on the negativity of the Internet towards its users. Firstly, the chapter detailed the illegal uses behind it, such as gambling, fraud, pornography, and the growing number of extremist right-wing groups.
It then discussed the Australian regulatory response, such as the growing number of inquiries into on-line services, and then explained any legal precedents that may arise from use of the Internet.
The chapter lastly focused on the effect that the Internet had on children, their parents, and the school environment. Censorship and Regulation policies and practices were mentioned. These included the prohibition of downloading and distributing sexually explicit material, parental permission, sustained supervision, and sanctions for violating any bans.
This chapter was a fine example in showing some effects that the Internet had on people’s behaviour, especially with children.
To view my entry on Moral Panics, click here!!!
Katie Johnson 09:24, 29 Oct 2004 (EST)
