In both AQA and OCR A level Sociology, one key topic in the media unit is how age groups are represented. Sociologists argue that the media often present different generations in very different ways, reinforcing stereotypes about young and old people.
One of the most widely used studies on this topic is by Wayne et al. (2008). Their research focuses on how young people are represented in news media and how this affects public understanding of youth culture and social issues.
This blog outlines their main findings and explains how the research links to key theories of representation and ideology.
Wayne et al. (2008): The Representation of Young People in the News
Overview of the Study
Wayne et al. (2008) carried out a detailed content analysis of UK television news to explore how young people are portrayed. They analysed over 2,000 news items from a range of major broadcasters including the BBC and ITV, focusing on how people aged between 15 and 24 were depicted.
Their aim was to understand whether media portrayals of youth were balanced and accurate or whether they reflected broader social and political stereotypes.
Key Findings
The study found that representations of young people in television news were heavily skewed toward negative and sensationalised coverage.
Some of the main findings included:
- Over-representation of youth crime and deviance:
Around 40% of all stories about young people focused on crime, particularly violence, gangs and antisocial behaviour. - Absence of positive stories:
Only about 1% of stories showed young people in a positive light, such as through education, volunteering or creativity. - Framing youth as a social problem:
News stories tended to construct young people as troublemakers or victims, rather than as active citizens or contributors to society. - Lack of youth voices:
Most stories about young people did not include interviews with young people themselves, meaning that their perspectives were largely missing from the narrative.
Wayne et al. argued that this pattern of coverage creates a moral panic around youth culture, particularly working-class and ethnic minority young men, who are often shown as threatening or out of control.
Interpretation and Sociological Meaning
Wayne et al. concluded that these negative portrayals serve an ideological function. They help to justify greater social control over young people through policies such as increased policing, curfews and tougher punishments.
The researchers also linked their findings to Marxist ideas about ideology and hegemony. By presenting young people as dangerous and disorderly, the media distract attention from real social problems such as inequality, unemployment and cuts to youth services. This fits with the idea that news media tend to reflect ruling-class interests by promoting messages that maintain the status quo.
In other words, young people are used as “folk devils” (Cohen) to create a sense of moral panic, allowing society to focus on individual behaviour rather than structural inequality.
How This Links to Other Research
Wayne et al.’s findings connect to other studies on age and representation, including:
- Cohen (1972) on Mods and Rockers, who first used the term moral panic to describe exaggerated media coverage of youth subcultures.
- Hodkinson (2011), who found that some subcultures, like goths, have resisted media stereotypes by using online spaces to represent themselves.
- Heintz-Knowles (2002), who found similar trends in American television, where young people are often portrayed as immature or irresponsible.
Together, these studies suggest that negative media portrayals of youth are a recurring pattern across time and culture.
Bringing It All Together
| Researcher | Focus | Main Argument | Theoretical Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne et al. (2008) | Television news | Young people shown mainly in relation to crime and deviance | Marxism, Ideology, Moral Panic |
| Cohen (1972) | Mods and Rockers | Media exaggerates youth deviance to create moral panic | Moral Panic, Labeling |
| Heintz-Knowles (2002) | American TV | Youth represented as immature and irresponsible | Cultural Effects |
| Hodkinson (2011) | Online subcultures | Youth can use media to resist stereotypes | Postmodernism, Audience Resistance |
The overall message is that the media often portray young people as a problem group, especially when it comes to crime and disorder. This can reinforce public fears and justify tighter control over youth. At the same time, digital media have created some opportunities for young people to challenge these representations and present alternative images of youth culture.
Exam Tip
In A level Sociology, Wayne et al. (2008) is an excellent study to use for questions on:
- Media representations of age
- Ideology and bias in the news
- Theories of moral panic and social control
- The influence of media on public perception
To strengthen your analysis, apply Wayne et al. to real examples such as how the media covered knife crime, youth protests or social media trends like TikTok challenges.
Remember to link back to theory: Marxism, Hegemony and Moral Panic.
Full Reference List
Wayne, M., Petley, J., Murray, C. and Henderson, L. (2008) Television News and the Representation of Young People. London: Independent Broadcasting Authority Trust.
Cohen, S. (1972) Folk Devils and Moral Panics: The Creation of the Mods and Rockers. London: MacGibbon and Kee.
Heintz-Knowles, K. (2002) ‘The Prime Time Representation of Youth: An American Perspective’, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 46(4), pp. 681–697.
Hodkinson, P. (2011) Media, Culture and Human Interaction. London: Routledge.
You can download a PPT of Wayne at el (2008) research from the link below:
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