The power of global media to educate today’s youth and shape their views is significant. While some opine that the global media and international news, as part of secondary education, have no value, others believe that international news should be studied by those pupils. This essay attempts to examine the issue by diving deep into both views. However, I believe that international news, as part of the secondary education syllabus, is important.
On the one hand, many critics of the inclusion of global media in secondary education argue that teenagers would be negatively affected by the global media’s focus on negative issues of international events like wars and civil unrest. This is because exposure to violence often leads to depression, and the youths may grow an apathy towards our history and global politics. For example, a few recent surveys explain that despondent teenagers usually cite the dismal state of the world as a source of their depression. Since mental health is an important objective of secondary education, it is, therefore, questionable whether the study of international news would benefit young students.
On the other hand, global media enriches young people’s understanding of contemporary affairs and broaden their knowledge and horizons. This is because international affairs, as part of education, both make them conscious and knowledgeable and connect global youths on the same platforms. For example, a study run by Oxford sociologists showed that the media heavily influences teenagers’ knowledge of contemporary affairs which has a highly positive impact on making them aware of the world. This awareness makes them global citizens and encourages them to share ideas.
In conclusion, clearly, there are arguments for and against the study of global news in secondary schools. However, educators and authorities can make it more useful by adopting proper policy and teaching methods, and reap the benefits of teaching young students international news as part of their secondary education.