Arts, Media, Entertainment

SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Discover the wonders of the human body, from anatomy and development to sexual identity.

Arts, Media, Entertainment

Welcome to this exciting and last track! Here, we’ll explore the fascinating realms of arts, media, and entertainment, and discover how they influence our lives. We’ll also learn about media literacy and managing the negative influences these platforms can have. Get ready to embark on a journey through creativity and expression! And by the way, what’s your favourite Nigerian movie of all time? And who’s your favourite Nigerian artiste? Asake, Rema, Davido or is it Tiwa Savage or Tems?

Understanding Arts, Media, and Entertainment

Arts 🎭: Arts include activities like painting, sculpture, music, theatre, and dance. They are forms of creative expression that reflect our culture, emotions, and ideas. Arts can inspire, provoke thought, and bring beauty into our lives.
Media 📽: Media refers to the various ways we communicate and receive information. This includes newspapers, television, radio, and increasingly, digital platforms like social media and blogs.
Entertainment 📺: Entertainment encompasses activities that provide enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure. This includes movies, music, sports, and video games. It’s a way for us to relax, have fun, and sometimes escape reality for a bit.

Influence on Adolescents and Young People 👦👧

Arts, media, and entertainment significantly shape the ideas, values, and behaviours of young people. They can:

Provide a source of inspiration and a platform for self-expression;
Influence opinions and beliefs about various social and cultural issues;
Offer educational content in an engaging manner;
Serve as a tool for social and political change;
They now serve as a major means of earning.

Consider Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry. It’s not just a source of entertainment; it also offers insights into Nigerian society and culture. The themes and stories in these films can influence your views on relationships, family, and social issues.

Media Literacy 📰

Being media literate means understanding how media works, recognising different types of media, and being aware of how it can influence you. Here’s how you can be media literate:

Question the Source: Always consider where the information is coming from and whether it’s reliable. Fact Check the information before you start acting on it or sharing. Where is the information coming from?
Understand the Purpose: Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something?
Look for Bias: Be aware of personal or cultural biases in media content. Someone owns the media houses and most times the content will be determined by their interest.
Think Critically: Don’t accept everything at face value. Analyse and think critically about the messages being conveyed.

Managing Negative Influences

While arts, media, and entertainment can be positive, they can also have negative influences, such as unrealistic portrayals of life, promoting harmful stereotypes, or spreading misinformation. Here’s how to manage these influences:

Limit Consumption: Be mindful of how much time you spend consuming media and entertainment.

Diverse Perspectives: Seek out diverse sources and types of media to get a well-rounded view.

Engage in Discussions: Talk about what you see and hear with friends, family, or teachers. This can help you understand different viewpoints and process information critically.
Create Positive Content: Get involved in creating media or art that reflects positive messages and true representations of your society and values.

Conclusion

The media aids popular culture, which can greatly influence fashion, language, and lifestyle among young people. It often serves as a mirror to current trends and social issues, making it a vital aspect of youth identity and socialisation.

Arts, media, and entertainment are powerful tools that shape our perceptions and experiences. As young Nigerians, understanding these domains, becoming media literate, and learning to manage their influences are essential skills. By doing so, you can enjoy and benefit from these platforms while also protecting yourself from potential negative impacts.

Glossary of words and their meanings

Fascinate: to attract and hold someone’s attention completely.
Realms: refer to areas that can be physical or abstract.
Bias: refers to a tendency that affects a judgement, often leading to unfair perspectives.
Platforms: refers to structures or systems that provide a base for various activities or services.
Analyse: means to examine or check something in detail in order to understand it better or to draw conclusions from it.

Not every sexual health and rights content that you find online is correct. Softlife247 content however empowers you to be a more informed, responsible, and creative member of society. If you have questions, do not hesitate to reach us.

SOCIETY AND CULTURE