Mass media has a significant influence on society through the information and communication it provides. It shapes peoples' decisions, beliefs, and values, as most knowledge comes from media sources rather than direct experience. While media is an authority people trust for news, entertainment, and education, its influence on children, teens, and society can be substantial and should be understood considering how skillfully it can falsify facts or push certain agendas. Understanding how media influence works is important to think critically about the information people receive.