Images of adolescence: an investigation into the accuracy of the image of adolescence constructed by British newspapers

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to determine any changes in the representation of adolescents by the British press since the beginning of the decade, and to examine the relationship of the media image to facts and figures concerning the age group. Twenty-one daily and Sunday newspapers were monitored, and items involving adolescents (defined as people aged between 11 and 19 years of age) were noted and subjected to a content analysis. The four most frequently occurring categories (victims, crime, sport and unemployment) were further investigated, and such information as was appropriate to the evaluation of these categories collected. It was found that the emphasis in the reporting of adolescence bore little relationship to the importance or relevance of each area of study. Victimization and criminal activity were overemphasized by the newspapers, whilst sport and unemployment were underemphasized. Furthermore, details of coverage within some categories (e.g. crime) were misleading. The typical adolescent in 1985, according to the newspapers, is a criminally inclined, sporting youngster who is likely to become victim of a wide variety of crimes and accidents. She or he is also very likely to be unemployed.