Media and its influences on adolescents’ identity in Hong Kong

Abstract

The mass media presents both risks and opportunities for young people, affecting their development. To protect the youth who are at risk from the negative impact of the mass media on their identity development, more research is needed to understand which areas they are more easily affected by in order to develop targeted interventions to protect them. A survey measuring personality and media practices was carried out among high school students (N = 972) in Hong Kong. Based on the results of the survey, participant values were content-analyzed for types of media influences. A measure was calculated for each individual by comparing the results of the personality values with participants’ reported media practices and influences. The effects of various media on eight identity factors, personal growth, community, gender role, health, beliefs, wealth, image, and social identity orientation, were examined. Overall positive correlations between identity aspects, such as personal growth, health, community, and social identity orientation and media values’ influences, were observed. Implications of the findings are discussed.