We trust that the media will provide us with news, entertainment and education— the “usual” in today’s society; however, the influence of mass media on our society is so big that we should know how it really works.

Often times I hear people complain about the stuff that’s being broadcast in the media because it’s too explicit or derogatory for children. Or society in general. It seems as though every time someone complains all I ever hear is “the media has the greatest influence on society, and it’s the reason why there’s so much violence and negativity.” That statement is so cliché when something happens and we wonder why.

Not once have I heard someone say that it’s our contribution to tuning into that specific radio station or television show that’s influencing the media to continue what they’re doing. I mean, honestly, the more we show our interest, the more they’re willing to give, right? So, why are we complaining about something we have full control over?

I have seen parents sit down with their children through full shows or movies that contain a ton of vulgarity; yet, they get upset and complain about how the media is getting out of control when their kids start repeating what they’ve heard. I don’t know about you, but I’m highly confused and I don’t think what kids, or anyone for that matter, do is influenced by things going on in the media.

Let’s not forget about those parents who go out and buy the violent video games they consider to be the negative influence on their children. Again I ask, why contribute to the cause if you don’t like what it’s about? You buying the video game basically implies to the maker of the game that it’s okay to make games that allow 7-year-old children to kill pedestrians in order to get to the next level.

We contradict ourselves daily when we say we don’t contribute to the negativity portrayed in the media; yet we still buy tickets to the violent movies, play violent video games, listen to the derogatory radio stations, etc.

The continuous saying that the media influences the behavior of society is just an excuse for those that expose themselves to the negativity of it. When the actions we choose backfire we need someone or something to blame every single time. When things go wrong in society we blame the media because of the advertisement they use to keep us engaged.

Yes, it’s true that the media can display the wrong tone or manner in which society should manage a situation, but what society is failing to realize is that we show that it’s okay because we feed into it.

I stumbled on a quote by Corazon Aquino, the first female president in Asia, that sums up my point quite well: “The media’s power is frail. Without the people’s support, it can be shut off with the ease of turning a light switch.”

Media has no way of influencing the increase of violence or negativity, if and only if, you don’t let it. So, instead of complaining about the fight they showed last night on “Bad Girls Club” after you’ve watched the full episode, turn the channel. Don’t complain to the people around you if you’re going to take part in what the media has to offer. That makes you a hypocrite.