media sensationalism is confined mostly to routine stories, the ones that need some sensationalizing to get editors and audiences interested. In a real crisis the media, in lockstep with their principal sources, tend to downplay the seriousness of the situation.Like any high-outrage story, a serious crisis gets lots of coverage – but when the hazard is also high, the coverage tends to be sober and reassuring, not sensational.

At an early age books, movies, television, and the Internet influence how our children think and act in a variety of ways. As children grow these media influences become even more powerful. The media influences on children is not always a good influence and parents need to counteract this influence by discussing and monitoring what their children are exposed to.

There are so many forms to media.Arguably media could be taken as diversion,sleeze sells big time but we can't discredit the direction it gives.
Consider media in print.There is direction given to youth today...in form of awareness through papers.Education guidance,daily updates and social and political awareness is on its all time high.Everyone is aware of the latest scams,the latest trends and latest options.
The radio and television.Yes,alot of advertisements do come along but the programs aired that encourage discussions of various topics like youth participation,history of our nation and general knowledge as well.
Our all time favorite,the electronic media.I do agree there is loads and loads of junk available here,but so is constructive information.It depends on the individual to participate and choose wisely.There is a dearth of information available here just at a simple click if one really wants to learn.What better example can be given than this discussion on Boddunan it self that aims to develop our skills.
I believe there is a directive side to media ,we should give it some credit.

The media is a reflection of society. The entire media is not youth specific. However, youth is not ignored by media. In most journals, there are articles and news catering to the need of youth. Employment opportunities, sports, cultural events etc. are normally youth oriented.

The media just reflects society and contains healthy as well as unhealthy contents. It is for youth to pick the positive and reject the negative aspects. Media is like a mirror. This will display the events and views irrespective of positive or negative influence.

The media also contains pornographic material and other undesirable contents. It is for youth to use the contents of media to their advantage. They may enjoy the spicy entertainment and may be even pornographic material but to a very limited extent like spice in food. Too much spice will spoil health and too less spoil the taste.

Youth should treat media just as resource and pick that which will boost their personality and career. It s for youth to be diverted in right direction. Media leads both ways as roads do. It is for us to chose the right road.

It is really an interesting topic for discussion and i am not sure whether to appose or support the topic.

It depends how the youth takes and we cannot tell whether media is diversion or directs the youth.

If media is diversion then it is a diversion and if media is a direction then it is a direction for youth.

Nowadays youth follow what they see in media like young kids follow what they see in cartoon network.

Many kids like do the same stunts what they see in power rangers and also because of that many accidents have occur.

The role of media is to give news and views and also entertain. All healthy news and comments as well as various entertainment channels that have positive content can be said to leading the youth to right direction. On the other hand, there are many channels promoting superstition and evil practices. These are misguiding and misdirecting.

The media contains topics of interest specifically for youth viz. education and employment, entertainment. But most of the content is for all segments of society inclusive of youth.

The spiritual and religious channels promote superstition and personality cult more and these actually spoil the youth. Formerly, only aged and elderly were attracted to the spirituality oriented channels but now more youth are attracted towards these. This is dangerous and misleading. The youth should be aware of these and devote their time and energy in acquiring good health, skill and training and concentrate on job. The media has both positive and negative content and cannot be expected to give a direction. Media should be considered as a resource that may be used in any way: for advancement as well as the other way.

I would just request to free the title from its grammatical incorrectness by retitling it as "Do media divert or direct youth?".

Media shows what is happening around us .It is a reflection of our society . But only showing reflection is not enough. Media is diverting the youth sometimes .It should show the right path of living . Rather it sometimes shows violence and support vulgarisim, which is a threat to a civilized society.
media often exxagarates things and serves news in a complecated form which often depress or destructs the peace of mind of the youth. Thanks