Dependency theory

1) What do YOU primarily use the media for: entertainment or information? (Or something else?)

I primarily use the media for entertainment but I do also greatly use it for information.

2) To what extent do you feel we are dependent on the media?

I feel that we are very dependant on the media as we rely on media to help us carry on with our daily routines. Media is the main source of finding current news and other important relevant information. Without newspapers, radio or news channels, it would be very difficult for society to find information on current news. We also rely on media for entertainment. Most households own TVs and computers and use these electronics to access the media such as watching TV shows or using social networking sites. Communication is also heavily dependant on media as people use social networking sites such as Facebook, which allows them to communicate with people who live in a different country without spending money on sending letters. 

3) Has our dependence on the media changed over the last 10 years? How?

Over the last 10 years, we have become more and more dependant on the media that in some cases, it will be hard to function without it. The media has become part of our everyday lives and helps us with complete many tasks relating to our school life and work life. As technology has continued to advance over the years, certain media texts can be accessed in several different forms such as being able to read books on computers, phones or tablets. Since media has also become a lot easier to access, more people have become dependant on it. Smart Phones have probably the biggest factor that changed our dependency on media especially since most smart phones gives easy access to media which attracts users to use it constantly.

4) Read this Telegraph article – does this support Dependency theory? What is your personal opinion on this issue? 

Four out of five young people feel 'lost' without internet

This article supports Dependency theory as it shows that young people, after growing up with internet, are fully dependent on it and without it, they would feel anxious and lost. Especially since everyone are able to access what is seen on TV, on the internet,more people prefer the internet over the TV. Also the different things that can be done on the internet are almost unlimited and therefore, it would be very difficult to function without it. I think it is very understandable why many people would feel lost without the internet as it allows people to access most media in one place.