Psychological Impact of Tv/Web Series on Us
INTRODUCTION
Web series and online streaming videos are growing increasingly popular among teenagers. Web series are displacing television, and internet streaming and web series content generated in India has exploded. Many major corporations, like Amazon, Netflix, SonyLiv, Hotstar, and Eros Now, have made significant investments in localised programming. Web series have become increasingly popular in India in recent years because they take us places that television cannot. Web series and online streaming allow viewers to watch programmes whenever they want.
The psychosocial influence of web series and online streaming content among youth on online platforms such as YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, SonyLiv, Hot Star, and Eros Now, as well as Torrent downloads, is examined in this research article. The study also looked into how young people felt about web series and online streaming content. The respondents' information was gathered using a questionnaire. The respondents were students from Haryana, India, who attended various colleges and universities.
Impact of binge-watching on our brain
Without a question, viewing your favourite show's episodes over and over again feels fantastic. But how does it affect your cognitive abilities?
Dr Renee Carr, a clinical psychologist, explains that the chemicals released in our brain cause us to "feel good." She says that when we engage in a pleasurable activity such as binge-watching, our brain produces dopamine, the body's own pleasure molecule.
As a result, when you binge-watch, your brain sends signals to your body telling it to keep doing it because it feels too wonderful to quit. As a result, your brain continues to produce dopamine, giving the impression that your body is high on drugs. As a result, your addiction to a certain TV show is truly a dopamine addiction in your body.
1. Effects of Binge-Watching Web Series
Several research has shown that binge-viewing web series and online streaming entertainment have direct or indirect consequences on youth. According to Sung et al. (2005), binge eating is directly linked to unpleasant moods. Many studies, such as Stice, gave instances of study articles that show a link between binge-watching, body dissatisfaction, academic loss, depression symptoms, and low esteem.
"For many participants, the rhythm of their day was constructed around binge-watching," he said of the impact of binge-watching on the social and academic life of college students. They set aside time to binge-watch web shows and congratulated themselves on their achievements. While the participants minimised or were oblivious of the consequences of this new viewing experience, their grades improved.
Binge-watching was linked to unhappiness and loneliness in 316 people aged 18 to 20. According to studies, binge-watching web series and online video content on OTT platforms have resulted in a variety of changes in attitude, behaviour, and social life.
2. Binge-watching is insanely addictive
To begin with, while binge-watching your favourite show can be entertaining, it can also be extremely addictive. Excessive viewing of any show has been shown to have negative consequences in other areas of our lives.
Addicts are progressively losing control of their lives, according to research. So, if you're addicted to binge-watching TV shows, you'll miss out on all of your important commitments because you'd rather have a date night with The Game of Thrones than with your spouse.
Furthermore, people frequently finish full seasons when they only intended to watch three episodes in one sitting. These nefarious behaviours are incredibly addictive, and hence have an impact on our lives.
3. Binge-watching also affects our sleep
To begin with, while binge-watching your favourite show can be entertaining, it can also be extremely addictive. Excessive viewing of any show has been shown to have negative consequences in other areas of our lives.
Since you started binge-watching TV series late at night, have you been having insomnia-like symptoms as well as poor sleep quality? It's not a coincidence.
According to studies, binge-watching has an impact on how our bodies manufacture melatonin, the hormone that regulates wakefulness and sleep. Furthermore, our bodies naturally create the melatonin hormone at night.
As a result, the artificial light from laptops, smartphone screens, and televisions throws our melatonin levels out of whack. This is our point of view.
4. Brain over binge
Although binge-watching television can not compare to binge drinking or drug addiction, it has a direct and negative influence on our physical and mental health. However, binge-watching has a number of unintended consequences, including weight, eye strain, insomnia, depression, and psycho-social illnesses.
5. When a show ends, you could be disappointed
Finally, while binge-watching TV may make you feel better, it will inevitably finish, leaving you feeling disappointed. We respond to TV characters as if they are genuine friends and acquaintances, and we mourn them when they are no longer with us. We become immersed in the plot's significance, the show's exciting events, and the fascinating universes in which it all takes place. When it's all said and done, you're left with a dreary reality, which isn't good for your attitude.
The current boom of high-quality television shows has been incredible, but like with most things in life, moderation is vital. Bingeing is terrible for you, whether it's from drink, cake, or even good television. Furthermore, bingeing has become a phenomenon partly due to media corporations' behavioural manipulation. It is in your best interests to choose how you spend your time and to do it in a way that promotes your health and pleasure.
6. Binge-watching reduces physical activity
The fact that binge-watching carries a large opportunity cost is maybe the biggest issue with it. That is to say, every hour you spend watching television is an hour you are not doing anything else—not even moving. This has an impact on both your mental and physical well-being. Obesity and related diseases like diabetes and heart disease are linked to too much sitting and munching. Obesity raises your risk of depression and vice versa, according to recent studies.
More importantly, taking regular exercise is an important part of a comprehensive therapy strategy if you have a history of depression or anxiety. Exercise has been shown in numerous studies to boost mood by increasing levels of endorphins, serotonin, and BDNF, a neurotransmitter that promotes the growth of neurons in certain areas of the brain. Exercise also affects the structure of the brain, making you less susceptible to stress and anxiety. If you've ever suffered from sadness or anxiety, sitting on the couch for hours is the last thing you should do.
Conclusion
According to the findings, web series and internet streaming entertainment have a big impact on Indian adolescents. The web series content featured on online platforms attracts the attention of young people. The violence, sexuality, and abuse in the content available on OTT platforms have had psychosocial consequences for Indian kids. They both admitted to having modest levels of rage, aggression, anxiety, and depression in their daily lives. If it becomes unmanageable, it will cause serious psychosocial problems among youth.
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