Influence of Mass Media on Deviant Behavior among Bachelor-Level Students in Kenya
Keywords:
Mass media, bachelor's level, deviant behavior, violenceAbstract
The mass media has a significant impact on the psychosocial development of children and adolescents. Kenya has seen a tremendous and rapid expansion of the mass media, with a large proportion of features oriented toward Western culture. The majority of the information showcased in the media is about violence, drugs, relationships, and sexuality. Most young people consume a lot of both electronic and print media. This study is aimed to determine the influence of mass media on deviant behavior among bachelor-level students in Kenya. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was 16,421 university students selected from universities in Nairobi County. Using Yamen's sample size calculation formula, the sample size was determined as 390, but only 372 students were available in the four selected universities' main campuses and willing to receive the questionnaire. The study established that 84% of the respondents suggested that the music lyrics contributed to violence and aggression among young adults. The results also indicated that 78% of the students believe that television characters' aggressive lifestyle encourages deviant behavior. Therefore, the study recommends that awareness programs on the influence of mass media on deviant behavior in secondary schools, universities, and among parents should be promoted. Media regulatory authorities should ensure that aggressive and violent films and music are minimized on Kenyan television.
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