The media are the main means of mass communication, such as television (TV), radio, magazines and newspapers, which reach the vast majority of the population. It offers entertainment, culture, news, sports and education, and celebrities are regarded by young people as heroes and idols. The media is an important and often unavoidable part of our lives and has much to teach, but some of what it teaches may not be what we want our young people to learn. Our society is constantly bombarded with commercials that aim to influence our purchasing habits, and with shows, films and magazines that influence what we wear, like and think. These messages are interpreted differently by young people and have a direct impact on their increasing use of illegal and sometimes prescribed drugs, alcohol and tobacco. There is a direct relationship between how celebrities are seen as having a perfect lifestyle and how teenagers believe that illegal substances would enhance their lives in the same way. The different media sources also help in this representation. Reality shows promote the use and abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by celebrities and regular people who get their one chance at the spotlight. In today's society, the media has many beneficial and undesirable influences that shape the behavior of many teenagers and young adults. With its constant development and progress, especially young people are constantly taking advantage of different media sources where indirect messages influence their behavior within society. Alcohol and drugs are the most common substances that are continually depicted in the media and consumed by our youth (Atkinson, Bellis, Elliot, & Sumnall, 6). Teens encounter a variety of alcohol and drug r...... middle of paper ......it is unrealistic to think we can protect our children from any of this. If we don't have Internet and TV at home we will surely make our children feel like outcasts in society because they are unable to participate in conversation with their peers. When they are at their friends' houses, we are unable to control what they see and hear. Instead, as a society, we need to deviate from this obsession with celebrities and their addictions. Parents need to keep an open line of communication with their children and teenagers and make sure they are aware that what they see on TV is for entertainment purposes and should not be replicated because there will be real-life consequences. Adolescents are more likely to abstain from drugs, alcohol and tobacco if they are engaged in other activities such as sports, outdoor activities and if they have a good communication relationship with their parents.