sonal gupta 
Children and adolescents spend hours a day listening to music through radios, phones, MP3 players, and video sharing websites. Many of these songs convey negative messages about drugs, sex and violence.
Nevertheless, research shows that adolescents’ favourite music conveys plenty of positive messages as well. They also use it as a resource to define their identities and develop strong social bonds with other like-minded people.
Positive Effects
Music has been important to humanity as it is a means of self-expression and coping with emotions. It is also a way of bonding with people and sharing feelings. Various studies have shown that music is able to positively affect adolescents’ lives, by helping them to sort through their emotions, identify with peer groups and develop a sense of identity and belonging. However, music can also be harmful to youth if it glorifies and normalizes negative aspects of life such as drug use, prostitution and violence.
The impact of music on adolescents depends on the type of music they listen to and how they interpret it. For example, the graphic nature of some violent music can have a negative effect on a teenager’s mental health. The song ‘Kim’ by Eminem for example depicts the murder of a spouse and violence against children which can have devastating effects on a teen’s life. Violent music has been found to increase aggression and delinquency. In addition, the lyrics of some songs encourage drug selling, underage drinking and even rape. These messages have a profound impact on the youth as they are more receptive to the contents of media and are easily influenced by the negative influences surrounding them.
Generally speaking, listening to loud music stimulates the Saccule of the ear, which has a neural connection with the brain’s pleasure centers and can increase a teen’s energy level. It is also thought that listening to loud music increases a teen’s ability to concentrate. In addition, a study by McGill University showed that listening to music increases dopamine, the brain’s motivation chemical.
The research on positive adolescent development shows that teens who play an instrument have better grades and are more emotionally healthy than those who don’t. Furthermore, research suggests that learning music promotes cognitive abilities and academic achievement (Schellenberg, 2006). In addition, playing music in a group fosters interpersonal connections among teens and teaches them how to work together.
Negative Effects
There is a lot of music out there that promotes violence and negative behavior. Unfortunately, some youth find this music appealing. These songs often contain profanity, drugs, violence and sexual slang. Youth who listen to this music may imitate it. This is a dangerous thing to do because it leads to aggression and negative behaviors.
Explicit lyrics can also glamorize drug and alcohol use. The use of these substances can lead to negative consequences such as addiction, death and drug dealing. Violent music may even trigger self-harm. In one study, teens who listened to Goth music were at higher risk for self-harm. However, researchers pointed out that the link is likely a marker for vulnerability rather than a cause.
Musical styles that have a lot of noise and bass may also be harmful to adolescents. This type of music stimulates the Saccule, which is a part of the ear that has a neural connection with the brain’s pleasure centers. This can cause a release of dopamine, which can be addictive. In addition, loud music can damage the eardrums.
Youth who spend a lot of time listening to music may neglect their schoolwork. Fortunately, studies have shown that listening to music can help boost academic performance. In fact, some studies have shown that students who take musical courses have better SAT scores than those who don’t take arts classes.
Music is an important part of adolescent life. While it can have positive effects, it is important to monitor the kinds of music that adolescent’s are listening to. By taking the necessary precautions, young people can enjoy music without the negative effects that come with certain genres. By educating their parents and teachers about the effects of music, teenagers can avoid music that is detrimental to their development.
Conclusions
Music has a powerful influence on youth and can be either positive or negative. For example, listening to Beethoven or the Beatles can help them relax and unwind after a long day, while songs about drug abuse, sex, and violence can encourage negative behaviour. Music also provides a way for youth to express their feelings and emotions. It can even change the way they think and feel about themselves. It is important to remember that music is a medium that can be used for good or evil, and it is up to parents and children to monitor the kind of music they listen to.
Violent music has been shown to increase aggressive behaviors and drug use among adolescents. In addition, it can cause anxiety and depression. Studies have also found that exposure to violent music desensitizes listeners. Therefore, it is important for adolescents to listen to a variety of music to help them stay balanced and avoid becoming desensitized to violence.
Some studies have found that playing instruments can improve a student’s grades and IQ. Other studies have found that listening to classical music helps to make the brain work in a more balanced way, and it can also help reduce stress levels. In addition, some research has found that teens who take music lessons have more self-confidence and a higher sense of self-worth.
Although some studies have found that music can have a negative impact on youth, there are many positive aspects of music as well. Teens who play an instrument can develop their musical skills, and they can also meet new friends through the hobby of playing a musical instrument. In addition, some research has found that listening to happy music can elevate positive affects while sad music can decrease them.
