There has long been a debate on the impact of media on self esteem.

Community leaders, parents and carers will say how difficult it is for young (and not always young) people to live up to role models placed before them by the media.

Media executives will retort that it is not right to "shoot the messenger". That it is up to those community leaders, parents and carers to educate those around them as to what is appropriate and what is not.

There is no doubt that we are constantly being bombarded with images, demands and worries that can make life stressful. And both sides of the debate have a valid point. But back to the question:

What is the impact of media on self esteem within our society?

With the multitude of forms of media so prevalent today, it becomes another 'peer group' with considerable influence.

And as you are growing and developing you can be conditioned in three primary ways from your peers:

• What you hear
• What you see and
• What you experience.

So the impact of media on self esteem can be huge, but more if there is the abscence of a strong guiding influence in a persons life to balance and put into perspective the messages of the media.

Yes there is the need for people to take personal responsibility, but on top of that there is the need for community and media responsibility.

If we can get the three to work together we might just have a chance to influence in a positive way.