Digital Media and the Youth

Introduction

The evolution of new digital media has played an important role not only in enhancing the global mode of communication but also in improving the entertainment industries. I agree with Osgerby (2004) that there is no distinct difference on the impact of the new digital media on the simplification of global information network and the production of media products. This is because the new digital media technology has improved the mode of media production and circulation in the society the same way it has influence the interaction between people especially the youth due to its enticing model that has resulted to massive information exchange. Unlike the previous years where information could be accessed through piled paper files and microfilms originating from various newsroom libraries, today’s information is instant.

Even though the evolution of new digital media has affected the general population, its impact is widely evident among the youth. The youth have and continue to exploit the new digital media technology especially in the production, circulation and consumption of the media products. Chau (2008) rightfully points out that the emergence of new digital media has created new global concepts on videos’ and movies’ production and circulation among the youth worldwide. The new digital media has integrated low cost and quality film production and circulation methods that have enabled the youths to increase their film consumption rates. However the youth have had to advance their media technological knowhow so as to cope with the growing global digital orientation.

The write up draws its argument by assessing how the new digital media is changing the production and circulation of movies and videos among the young people. It will also consider how these technologies have not only altered the way young people consume film today, but the ways in which they can produce and circulate their own media production.

How the New Digital Media Have Changed the Production of Movies and Videos

The new digital media has improved the quality of movies’ and videos’ production among the youths based on its incorporated new digital technologies. As argued by Osgerby (2004), the evolution of new digital media signifies the emergence of better digital technologies that enables the digitization of movies’ and videos production.  For instance, the invention of high definition digital video cameras has not only improved the editing of movies and videos but it has captured the quality content of the movies and videos thereby enhancing the overall quality of media production among the youths.  Wands (2006) also supported this fact noting that key to the youths’ entertainment is the need for quality media production that fully exploit their energetic media consumption rate. This is what the new technology has provided to the youths.

The new digital media has incorporated programs that help in initiating interactive elements during media production. This has changed the production of movies and videos among the youth. This notion is supported by Wands (2006) who notes that the availability of digital technologies in the new digital media has made it possible to initiate both the sound and videos effects during the production of movies and videos. This has led to the production of interactive movies and videos which has highly characterized the today’s youths’ entertainment arena as they look for more production of the same media products. Orfano (2011) noted the same pointing out that the new digital media incorporate computer generated imagery technology (CGI) which has enabled the production of quality animated movies and videos that forms a significant entertaining arena for the youth. The computer generated imagery technology is a digitalized media production technology that enhances the graphic and visual effects during media production.

The availability and accessibility of computers in the new digital media has also changed the mode of production of movies and videos among the youths. As the world is changing from analog technologies to digital technologies, the youths have and continuing to adjust their technological knowhow by either hiring or owning digital technologies that put them on same scope of the new digital media evolution. This is supported by Warschauer & Matuchniak (2010) who argues that unlike the previous years where computers were scarce and expensive, the evolution of digital world has made it easier for the youths to access and afford computers from which they can utilize various movies and videos. The notion is furthered by Wands (2006) who added that as the youth continue to gain access to computerized movies and videos, they develop interest in digital media products and their production.

Additionally, more youths are today involved in the production of movies and videos because of the reduction of the cost of media production that is associated with the new digital media. Flanagin & Metzger (2008) support this argument noting that most of the youth are economically dependent on their parents since they have no sustainable income generating jobs. Such youth have therefore taken advantage of the digital media related less costly entertainment activities. The notion is further supported by Siegchrist (2011) who points out that compared to the previous years where film production was costly and suited only the moderate income earners; the evolution of digital technology has addressed the economic intrigues of most youths. A good example in this case is the use of hard disk camcorder. As a digitalized technology, it has made it less costly to capture and transfer movies and videos during production which in turn has lowered the cost of media production making it affordable to more youths.

The effectiveness of the new digital media especially in the production of corporate videos and movies has also contributed to the changes experienced in the production of videos and movies among the youth. In his support of this position, Phannenstiel (2009) points out that the technological advancement of the youths has enabled most of them to be employed or venture into business sectors that fully exploit their technological knowhow. The argument is that the digitalized world has enabled youths to form a recommended percentage of various companies’ technological advisories which makes them directly responsible for the production of corporate videos and movies that illustrates the companies’ undertaking. In effecting such technological activities, the youth have been able to utilize the new digital media technologies which has effectively improved the quality of their media production (Phannenstiel, 2009). As the youth continue to involve themselves in the technology industry, the gain technological experience that gives them more strength in producing more movies and videos. 

Moreover, it is argued that the new social networking that has been created by the new digital media has changed the production of videos and movies among the youths. Lange & Ito (2008) made this clear arguing that the impact of the new digital media on the new social networking has not only affected the mode of communication but it has also created technological creativity among the youths. The new social networking sites like the Face book have given the youth opportunity to upload their videos and movie previews. Today, the youths have been able to use the new digital media to produced compatible digitalized videos and movies from which they can upload into their social sites thereby leading to the production of more digitized movies and videos among the youths (Flanagin & Metzger, 2008).

How the New Digital Media have changed the Circulation of Movies and Videos

The new digital media has improved the mode of movies’ and videos circulation among the youth. Supporting this argument, McGrath (2012) points out that the availability of digitalized media technologies such as the CDs and DVDs has made it possible for the youths to gain access and circulate movies and videos among themselves. The digitalized mode of movies’ and videos’ circulation has made it possible for the youths to share various media products such as the movies and videos. This position is also supported by Siegchrist (2011) who noted that digital media technology entails media production and circulation cycle where videos and movies can be extracted through downloads and produced into many digitalized copies that are easily affordable to the youths.  In this respect, movies and videos of the same genre are able to be circulated among the youths.

It is argued that, the inter-correlation between the digital media and the internet has changed the circulation of movies and videos among the youths. In their argument, Lange & Ito (2008) point out that online media circulation form a significant percentage on the circulation of videos and movies among the youths. They note that even though the youths have utilized their technological creativity to enhance their personality in various web based accounts, their usage of internet to circulate the digitized videos and movies to others is fascinating. Today, increasing number of youthful Americans is able to use their digitized video cameras to produces and circulate their videos through their respective You Tube accounts. This clearly illustrates how the new digital media through internet has improved the circulation of movies and videos among the youths (Lange & Ito, 2008).

Additionally, change in circulation of movies and videos among the youth have also been promoted by the availability of affordable and new digitalized media technologies. In supporting this argument, Stair & Baldauf (2010) noted that the digitalized technologies such as; the cell phones and laptop computers has incorporated software application such as the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and webcam. These applications have increasingly enabled the youth to easily transfer or share various videos and movies. Such tremendous evolution of the new digital media has resulted to the availability of affordable digitized media gadgets among the youth through which they have been able to circulate media products among themselves.

Furthermore, the low cost of media circulation associated with the new digital media has been an essential entity that has changed the circulation of videos and movies among the youths. While supporting this argument, Flanagin & Metzger (2008) noted that the economic viability of the youth has not only affected their associated movie and video production, but it has impacted on their associated movies and videos circulation. The new digital media has enabled the production of more affordable movies and videos which has reduced the cost of the purchasing power. They further note that, the low cost incurred during the online circulation of videos and movies has enabled the youth to circulate more of them.

Moreover, the advancement in the new digital media technologies by the youths has changed how the digital media influences the circulation of videos and movies among them. Lange & Ito (2008) argues that the technological creativity that is evident among the youth not only impacts on the quality production of videos and movies, but it also initiated their capability of utilizing new digital media to circulate videos and movies. For instance, the technological knowhow enables the youth to locate the internet sites from which they can download and circulated videos and movies among themselves.

How the New Digital Media Has Altered the Youth’ Film Consumption

Contrary to the past when the youth were not the major consumers of videos and movies, the new digital media has increased the youths’ film consumption rate. This argument is supported by Bothun, Lieberman & Supplee (2010) who note that the low cost of film production and circulation that the new digital media entails has led to the production and circulation of various affordable films among the youths. For instance, film renting among the youths has increased as they attempt to access more films. The tremendous engagement of the youths in online film renting through their new digitized media technology signifies how the youths have utilized the new digital media to increase their film consumption rate. Through their digitized media technology, the youth are able access web based sites like the Netflix from which they subscribe via their web based account to either download or rent various films.

Additionally, the continued purchasing and owning of various new digitized media technologies among the youths signifies how they have and continue to venture into such technologies to improve on their film consumption. Even though, the mobile television currently forms a smaller percentage of the total media subscription, its increase use in consuming films among the youths is significantly impressive. Bothun, Lieberman & Supplee (2010), in their support of this notion argue that the form a high percentage of those owning or renting new digitized media technologies and therefore their usage. An example of such technologies is the smart screen mobile phones that have by their additional features enabled the youth to actively consume more films. For instance, the Global Entertainment and Media projects a 17% increase of in the youth’s film consumption through mobile television by the year 2014.

Unlike the previous years, the new digital media has altered the content of films consumed by the youths. Collins, Martino & Shaw (2011) argue that the new digital media has improved the sexual socialization and development among the youths with an increasing number of youths actively participating in such sexually related films. Today’s youth have continued to utilize the new digital media to consume more of sexual related films which has constantly impacted negatively on their sexual health. The argument here is that most of the youth increasingly utilize digitized media technologies like cell phones or laptops and internet media to access web based sites where they are able to consume more sexual related films. For instance, studies have shown that nearly 800,000 female youths get pregnant annually in United States due to the influence of new digital media on their sexual film consumption (Collins, Martino & Shaw, 2011). This shows how the digital media continues to alter the content of film consumed by the youths.

The new digital media has also imposed interactive film elements which has promoted the extent of the peer influence among the youth. This has had the effect of altering the consumption rate of film among the youths as the majority of the do not want to be left behind. This argument is supported by Bothun, Lieberman & Supplee (2010) who argue that most of the youth have been lured into film consumption by their friends due to the effectiveness of new digital media in accessing various films. As a result they have been able to access various films which they could not have gained access to or have knowledge of without the influence of their friends. Lange & Ito (2008) furthered this argument noting that the youth, through their digitalized media technology and the internet media, have been able share various film previews with their friends especially via their social websites. This has led to the consumption of various films by the youths residing in different places.

New Digital Media Vs Youth’s Media Production and Circulation

            The new digital media has also enhanced the youths’ technological creativity thus enabling them to produce and circulate various media products. In furthering this argument Lange & Ito (2008) gave an example of a case in which two youthful Americans were able to use the new digital media in producing and circulating their videos. The two youthful Americans had used their digitalized video cameras to capture various videos. This gave them the direct ownership of the produced video and films. The videos content that were produced by these youths had their company’s logo at the introduction. Furthermore, these youths were able to use their You Tube web based accounts to circulate their products.

A Siegchrist (2011) points out that new digital media is cost effective and thus can be afforded by most youths. This has enabled most youth to effectively produce and circulate more media products. For instance, youths who have laptop computers with installed camcorder normally find it less costly in the production and circulation of media products. With their camcorders, they are able to capture various media products such as videos which are automatically stored into the computers hard disks from which they can be edited and then sold. With the current digital technologies, the youths only incur cost during the transfer of media into CDs or DVDs based on the content and volume of the media products required. This cost effective nature of new digital media continues to encourage youths in the production and circulation of videos and movies.

The new digital media technologies have also enhanced the quality of the youths’ media production and circulation. This argument is supported by Wands (2006) who notes that youths have utilized on the digital media technologies to enhance the quality of media they produce by removing unwanted physicality. Today, most of the youth especially the artists have no experience in entertainment industries and therefore normally produce low quality video content especially during video shooting. However, youths have established the potentiality of using new digital media in producing and circulating quality media products. The new digital media has specifically played a major role in enhancing the sound and image graphics effects during media production. In this way, it has enabled the removal of unwanted sound and video physicality thereby improving the quality of media produced.  The end result is the circulation of quality media produce.

Notably, the new digital media also enhances the translational technique that enables the youth to produce and circulate media products. While supporting this argument, Wands (2006) describes translation technique as a process which enables the transformation of traditionally based artistic into digitalized format. This means that those youths who are not able to produce expensively can today venture into traditional format of media production which has impacted positively on the media produced and circulated. In this way, the new digital media has opened a window opportunity for these youthful artists as their pieces of work can be easily transformed at affordable digital format using the new digital media technologies (Wands, 2006).

The evolution of digitized world has enabled the youths to gain access to or own digitized gargets which have made it easy for them to produce or circulate their media products. The digitized technologies incorporate programs that enable the capturing and production of various media produce. For instance, the computer generated imagery (CGI) software programs has enabled most of the youths to participate in the production and circulation of animated videos and movies such as the cartoon networks (Orfano, 2010).  Furthermore, Lange & Ito (2008) point out that the youths have been able to use smart phones not only to produce their videos but also in sharing their videos with others especially via their social based website accounts like the Facebook.

Digital media has also promoted the production and distribution of videos indirectly through enhancing business activities. In furthering this argument, Bothun, Lieberman & Supplee (2010) argue that other than improving the quality of the media products, the new digital media has also incorporated advanced media marketing strategies that have enabled the youths to make substantial business profits from their increased sales. The new digital media especially those related to the use of internet have created advanced searching engines which have not only helped the youths in searching for better media production procedures, but has enabled them to effectively search and connect with their customers. Youthful stage is characterized by the need for wealth creation and therefore venture in technologies like new digital media that effectively suit their businesses.

Moreover, the new digital technology enhances technological education among the youths which has enabled them to extensively participate in producing and circulating their media products. As pointed out by Warschauer & Matuchniak (2010), most of the youths venture into advance media courses which enable them in enhancing the various benefits that are posed by the new digital media. Some of the courses the youth have concentrated in range include; film production, computer programming and internet marketing that primarily improve their media production and circulation. For instance, youths who study advance film production are able to initiate on various film interactive genre which not only improve the quality of their film products but also enable these products to exploit the market demand (Warschauer & Matuchniak, 2010).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the write up has highlighted various arguments that have clearly illustrated the impact of the new digital media especially in the production, circulation and consumption of movies and videos among the youths. It has noted that the new digital media has not only improved the production of quality movies and videos, but it has enhanced efficiency on their accessibility which in turn has increased the rate of film consumption among the youths. The presented arguments on the negative influence of the media among the youths have illustrated the need for the youths to be cautious when utilizing the new digital media as its misuse results negatively on their health.  On the other hand, the paper has noted the evolution of new digital media as an innovative stage that has enabled the youths to produce and circulate their media products. It has pointed out that need for the youths to advance their technological knowhow so as to benefit from the new digital media.