Music Interest

Media has the greatest impact on the young generation more that the family or the school has. The means of media which influence the young generation are television, radio, internet, newspapers, magazines, books, broadcasting and text publishers.

All these manipulate teenagers in what concerns culture, politics, social life, religion, fashion, education and other interests. Almost each teenager has a TV in his room and he may stay stuck for hours in front of it to watch a show, a movie or to find out some interesting information on a discovery channel. Then, the internet has become much more important than the TV because it offers a range of facts on different areas of interest. Now teenagers prefer to download a movie from the internet and watch it at home instead of going to the cinema as it is much more comfortable and, at the same time, cheaper. Moreover, through e-mails they can communicate with teenagers in other countries and find other ways of thinking and behaving in society. Girls, buy all types of magazines so find out some spicy facts about famous people and stars, while boys prefer magazines about cars or technology.

Anyway, in what concerns newspapers young people almost don't buy them, as they prefer to read them on the internet and the same happens with books, too. Teenagers find out about fashion from the internet and they like to navigate on the internet to see which trends have appeared lately. They can also read about sports, music, politics and culture.

On the other hand, advertisements and propaganda play a special role as they can influence young people to buy different things or to follow certain behaviours.

Health

Now-a-days, living a healthy lifestyle is often the last priority for teenagers. Youngsters are living in indoor entertainment with technological advances such as video game systems, internet and television, and enjoying a convenient environment with advances such as vending machine and fast food. Such lifestyle prevents youngsters from getting and staying healthy. There are a wider range of health topics for youngsters.



Good health condition and positive thinking are must for youngsters if they really want to be successful. Youngsters must be aware of different health topics and self-management skills in order to thrive in the world of good health. The proper knowledge of health related topics such as relationships, depression, sex, drugs and alcohol brings out favorable and good results in the lifestyle of youngsters to lead much happier, more confident and more positive life.



Weight management is one of the main health topics for youngsters. Weight management begins with regular physical activity and healthy eating habits. The youngsters must discuss topics such as health and nutrition, types of physical activities, types of food, diet supplements, yoga, meditation, etc., which are means to be healthy. Youngsters must include sufficient amount of healthy items and avoid junk foods like pop and chips. They should not only be taught messages about good nutrition and physical activity, but they should also be provided a structure to support those things.



The importance of healthy lifestyle is also an important health topic for youngsters. Leading a healthy lifestyle in school, college, work place and life is very essential for youngsters to be successful. The topics discussing the adverse effects of smoking, alcohol and drug usage, and eating disorders, are important. All-day health and wellness forums are also conducted in the aim to educate youngsters about the means to lead a healthy lifestyle.



The sex related topic is another important health topic that most teenagers might hesitate to discuss with adults. But it is the role of parents and society to teach the importance of sex related issues such as abstinence, virginity, birth control, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.



The prevention and control of diseases is also an essential health topic for youngsters. The self confidence and self-management of youngsters facing health problems deteriorates. Living with health problems such as chronic disease during teenage can be a drastic experience. Teenagers with diseases such as asthma and diabetes feel uncomfortable for taking their medication in public places. The mental health problems among the youngsters have also witnessed a wide growth during these days. Youngsters are also facing chronic and age-related skin and other diseases now-a-days. Youngsters must be taught tips for preventing and controlling certain risks associated with vitamin deficiency, stress, depression, diseases such as asthma and diabetes, and skin diseases.



The health topics such as body changes, menstruation (for females only), contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and eating disorders, must also be discussed among youngsters.



  Youngsters obtain health care information from a wide variety of sources. It is important that parents and society must educate youngsters on making good choices related to health related issues. Youngsters must be taught the importance of health and wellness. Health services are there to provide general social work, counseling & support to youngsters. A number of health service programs are there to educate and help youngsters on issues related to different health topics. Educational programs related to health topics enable teenagers with chronic illnesses to manage their own condition while reducing their sense of isolation. Prevention and Wellness programs provide tips for preventing certain health problems and managing certain diseases. The health topic related workshops also help young people understand the importance of talking to health professionals rather than relying on their parents. Self-management programs for staying positive are designed for youngsters facing long-term health problems in order to improve their confidence and self-management skills.

Religion

 

Religion was not created by God, but by humans.  Humans created the codes, rules and regulations of how to supposedly worship.  Humans created denominations and churces, not God.  And this is what many fail to realize or accept.  Christianity should not then, be defined by one, supposedly 'true' religion or denomination, but by what unifies one's faith as Christians, if someone is to call themselves a Christian.  And this is where many young people seem to be going.

In my interaction with high school students, and college students particularly, many seem attracted to volunteerism and community service.  And many seem to be utilizing volunteerism and community service as a way to define not only themselves and their belief system, but their identity as Christians, as well.  Sure, there are those who identify themselves as a particular denomination, but the divide of which denomination is more 'true' or better than the other just doesn't seem so important to them.  Why?

History is filled with wars, violence, and injustices all in the name of religion: Christian and non-Christian.  Often, religion is seen as something that is a must (i.e. go to church, Sunday school, etc.) by parents, and involuntary, which lacks a spiritual and personal understanding and experience.  Using Christianity as an example, in being able to understand and process what the faith means, void of any particular denomination, many nominal (i.e. in name only) young Christians come to grow in their spirituality.  Still other young people come to not only grow in their spirituality, but their religion as well, while still maintaining their tolerance.

I often ask and wonder myself, does God really care if someone chooses one religion over another, or any religion, as long as they believe in God?  And even if God does care, isn't that between God and the person?  Of course there is nothing wrong with believing if your religion is the one true faith, or is more 'real' than others.  But why do people have to continue forcing their beliefs on others?  And can't religion be practiced without infringing upon the rights and beliefs of others?  Perhaps it's a generational shift, but many young people seem to be asking similar questions, and coming to similar conclusions.  Perhaps young people aren't leaving religion as much as I've thought, but are coming to understand it differently in more spiritual ways.  Often times, especially if they already identify with a particular faith, that just makes their faith and religious beliefs stronger.

Sports

 

  Whatever you’ve felt about sport in the past, think again. Getting into a sport or activity is all about making the most of your time and can help you feel good about yourself.

Whatever sport you choose, what matters is that you’re out and about and having fun with your friends.

Don’t be put off if you’ve tried a certain sport before. There’s so much out there for you to try, from skateboarding to dance to football. Many clubs give you a chance to try things out at taster sessions to find out what the right sport might be for you. There will also be lots of people around who have been trained to help you get the most out of whatever you’ve chosen.

Because there are so many sporting activities going on, it can be difficult to find out what exactly is on offer in your area. If you’re not sure where to start looking, you can:

Travelling

It is no secret that when young people vacation with their friends, alcohol consumption is high and partying is the primary past-time. However, with the unfortunate tragedy of Natalee Holloway's death while on vacation in Aruba, it is important for young people to keep safe while traveling. Irresponsible drinking is not the only issue involved with unsafe travel; there are several safe travel tips that need to be kept in mind while vacationing to ensure your safety.

   When young people vacation, they are out mingling, partying and meeting new people. You need be careful of strangers though and shouldn't completely trust anyone. Be careful of what they're offering you; there are a lot of scam artists out there. For women, if a man buys you a drink you need to be aware of the fact that he may try to drug you or if he buys you an excessive amount of drinks that he may be trying to get you drunk and take advantage of you. Not to sound like EVERYBODY is out to get you, but you need to be aware of the possibilities and be wary of trusting people you have just met. Most importantly though, never leave alone with someone you have just met and never give them the number to your hotel room.

Although you may get free transport to and from school during the week, this doesn't mean you can get free bus journeys at the weekend. However, many local bus companies only charge half-price fares for young people under 16.

If you're over 16, you may be able to get a student or young person's bus pass, depending on what schemes your local transport company operates.

Relationship

   The shrieking blonde ripped the big tackle's shirt from his shoulder and Charlestoned off through the crowded room, fan-dancing with a ragged sleeve. In her wake, shirts fell in shreds on the floor, until half the male guests roared around bare to the waist. Shouts and laughs rose above the full-volume records from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The party, celebrating the departure of a University of Texas coed who had flunked out, had begun in midafternoon some three hours earlier. In one corner, four tipsily serious coeds tried to revive a passed-out couple with more salty dog (a mixture of gin, grapefruit juice and salt). About 10 p.m., a brunette bounded on to the coffee table, in a limited striptease. At 2 a.m., when the party broke up, one carload of youngsters decided to take off on a two-day drive into Mexico (they got there all right, and sent back picture postcards to the folks).

The younger generation can still raise hell. The significant thing is not that it does, but how it goes about doing it. Most of today's youngsters never seem to lose their heads; even when they let themselves go, an alarm clock seems to be ticking away at the back of their minds; it goes off sooner or later, and sends them back to school, to work, or to war. They are almost discreet about their indiscretions, largely because (unlike their parents) they no longer want or need to shock their elders. The generation has "won its latchkey." It sees no point or fun in yelling for freedom to do as it pleases, because generally no one keeps it from doing as it pleases. It is not rebellious-either against convention or instruction, the state or fate, Pop or Mom. Toward its parents, it exhibits an indulgent tolerance. As one young New Yorker put it with a shrug: "Why insult the folks?"

The younger generation seems to drink less. "There is nothing glorious or inglorious any more about getting stewed." says one college professor. Whether youth is more or less promiscuous than it used to be is a matter of disagreement. Fact is that it is less showy about sex. Whatever its immoralities, it commits them on the whole because it enjoys them, and not because it wants to demonstrate against Victorian conventions or shock Babbitt. In that sense, it is far less childish than its parents were. As a whole, it is more sober and conservative, but in individual cases, e.g., the recent dope scandals, it makes Flaming Youth look like amateurs.

The younger generation is tolerant of almost anything, shocked by little. Young men who may personally think sex experience before marriage wrong are perfectly tolerant toward anyone who disagrees. Gay blades report that young women, when they turn down what is still known as a "pass," do so apologetically, as if they were exhibiting a social shortcoming like an inability to mambo. The girl's usual excuse: "I am so sorry, it's just the way I was brought up."

Internet Craze

 The study, from New Paradigm, has found that 77% of the net generation could live without television but could not live without internet access.

Youths in China are the most resistant to giving up the Internet with 87% choosing to be online rather than on the couch. Surprisingly 77% of youths in the United States prefer the Internet; that is the same as the global average.

Researchers found very similar results in a recent study. They found that the Internet had replaced television as the "coolest media". Roughly 39% of users prefer the Internet compared to 35% of users preferring television. However in the Edison Media study television was still the most essential medium at 36%.

What both of these reports indicate is that marketers not working to grow a global online audience will lag behind the advertisers who are growing their online brand. A good place to begin for many marketers is through social networks. Marketers can cheaply create an informational place for users to learn about products and services and share their opinions.