Audience Theory

1) Social learning theory has been criticised for simplifying the causes of violence in society. Do you think the media is responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence?

Yes i do believe that the media is responsible for antisocial behaviour because a lot of the younger generation are spending more time on their phones and on apps such as Instagram and Snap chat and they could see things that could make them upset. Also if they are seeing videos of violence than they may be tempted to copy what they see.
2) How is social learning theory relevant in the digital age? Are young people now learning behaviour from social media and the internet? Give examples.

This generation relies heavily on their phones meaning that it is very likely that sometimes they will see things that they wont want to and this could give them the wrong idea about things especially if they are young becasue from a young age it is easier to be influenced.

3) Research five examples of moral panic from the last 50 years. To what extent was the media responsible for these moral panics? Was the concern in society justified? How have things changed as a result of these moral panics?

Satanic Ritual Abuse
In the 1980s, parents around the country were gripped by an overpowering fear that their local preschool was actually a haven for vicious sexual abuse, driven by a Satanist agenda and brought to light only when children's memories were "recovered."

Ebola
The intentional transmission of the deadly Ebola virus from the dark continent of Africa to unsuspecting white people. The 2014 Ebola panic is all too real, with nearly 12,000 victims and over 4,000 dead in Africa.

Flashing Your Lights Will Get You Killed By a Gang
As part of a gang initiation, prospective members are instructed to drive with their lights off, then follow the first person who flashes their lights (to indicate their lights are off), stalk them, and murder them.

4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on technopanics. What examples are given of technopanics that create fear in society?

5) How does the author suggest that technopanics should be addressed - rather than through government regulation?

"To the extent that these concerns are valid, they are best addressed by ongoing societal learning, experimentation, resiliency, and coping strategies rather than by regulation. If steps must be taken to address these concerns, education- and empowerment-based solutions". This suggest that there are moral ways to stop Techno-panics.

6) Do you think the internet should be regulated? Should the government try and control what we can access online?

No I dont think the government should try and control what we watch because however they should try harder to keep kids out of websites that they shouldn't be on also for Instagram and Snap chat they should try a little harder to make sure that younger kids can stay away from it.
7) Apply Gerbner's cultivation theory to new and digital media. Is the internet creating a fearful population? Are we becoming desensitised to online threats, trolling and abuse?

A lot of people end up taking their lives because of internet trolls and being bullied online especially the younger generation, therefore I think its very important that the younger generation stay away from social media apps that may be harmful for them. 

8) Is heavy internet use something we should be worried about in society? How would you define 'heavy internet use'?  

We should be more afraid for the younger generation because technology is always improving therefore soon it will be more easier than ever for them to get sucked into the technology world. Also parents should make sure that their children aren't watching the wrong things becasue it is really easy for them to be influenced.