We are a pop culture society. We watch celebrities, we talk about movies, and we love to feel connected. Therefore, the entertainment industry and media have a major influence upon teens as they are gaining their sense of self. The influences can both be good and bad on the whole, and this article will explore both.It seems that more often than not, the media and entertainment industry influences teens both positively and negatively on a larger scale than usual. Let’s face it, in most cases the media isn’t getting you into the outdoors. You are most likely to bunker down in front of the TV for a favorite show or to play a video game. You’re still inactive even while doing something positive like reading a newspaper or magazine. With these norms, you’re more likely to stay inside versus getting yourself out there and active during your teen years.Things you see on TV and in the media help align what you believe to be the norms. Whether you’re watching violence, looking at an extremely skinny model in a magazine, or something else entirely, the things that you see are the things you expect to be normal. While you might be able to use your judgment, in some circumstances, the media is establishing right from wrong, and that can get you in trouble as a teen!The positive effects of the media might not be touched upon often, but they do exist. Teens can learn from media and entertainment, develop new skills and stay out of trouble as well.Teens can learn from reading newspapers, magazines and even from watching movies. Through these mediums you gain information about current and historical events and become informed about things you might not otherwise have been aware of. As long as you make smart choices about what you’re seeing and how you choose to interpret it, there is no harm! If your parents talk to you about media influences, remember to accept what they are saying as they are looking out for your best interests.It can be argued that as you are glued to your TV or video game (two of the more criticised mediums), that you’re not doing yourself any favors as a teen. Well, you’re better off there than on the streets getting involved in crime, so it’s not all that bad. Just remember to do everything in moderation!