The message seems to be that violence is the answer, being sexually active as a teen is fine — as long as protection is used — and eating disorders are the best way to be thin and therefore beautiful. This message is completely disturbing and very sad. Something needs to be done about the material shown on television, before the ideals of Hollywood consume the American nation.

When I turn on the TV to watch a 30-minute or hour-long program, it is seldom that I do not see something shocking. Whether it is two people in bed together, someone’s entire back side or young girls going over the edge to try to be thin, it is shocking. Even the modern-day commercials are filled with “Victoria’s Secret”-styled women who are half-naked or two people “making out” to advertise chewing gum.

It seems that America thinks it is far too mature for programs like “The Brady Bunch.” When I turn on cartoons for my 3-year-old brother and hear a swear word or see a weapon, I am tormented by what will become of television before I have children of my own.

In recent years, teen pregnancy rates have stopped declining and climbed slightly and studies show that about one out of every four college-aged women has an eating disorder. Violence in schools reached an all-time high last year when an angry youth at Virginia Tech chose to end over two dozen innocent lives.

Also in recent years, hit TV shows aimed at youth such as “The O.C.” have exploited being sexually active. Shows like “Best Week Ever” and other celebrity shows have evaluated stars based on their weight and appearance.

Minds are deteriorating

Violence seems to be woven into almost every show through murder, suicide, fighting, rape and crime. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, young American minds are deteriorating as the television begins to influence their thoughts and behaviors.

American youth need more shows that inspire them — shows like “Oprah” that discourage violence and help people cope with violence-related issues. Or shows like “The Biggest Loser,” that encourage people to deal with their weight struggles in a healthy way.

Youth need to understand that there are more people in the world who are like them and that there are safe ways to deal with teen issues. Attacking issues of weight, sexual activity and crime is not going to make people want to stop their behavior; it is only going to push them nearer to the edge. America needs to change the course that television is taking in order to stop the brainwashing that is taking place and the damage that is being done.

Teenagers should not turn off the television feeling self-conscious or as if they are not going to fit in unless they do what the stars on television do. Hollywood is not the place to learn how to live your life, but when youth have no one else to look to, they find their role models in the music industry, in films or on television.

Youth can be very vulnerable at times and one foolish television show can be all it takes to change someone’s state of mind or their self-image. Technology is increasing at the rate of babies being born, so youth of America, close your eyes and brace yourselves for whatever they come up with next.