HOW TEENAGERS ARE PORTRAYED ACROSS THE MEDIA BY THE MAIL ONLINE

The Daily Mail is a national newspaper, which is read by millions across the country; also commonly using the Mail Online. It is also one of the main culprits for using stereotypical views, especially towards teenagers. By simply searching for 'teen' as a key word in The Daily Mail's past prints, there are thousands of matches; though the ratio of positive to negative representations is unreal.

The reputation that teenagers have across the media is appalling; with the actions of a few individuals painting the picture for the rest of the generation. From just searching the internet, thousands of media headlines can be found, all presenting a negative image of the teenage age group...

E.g. 

Here this article gives a bias opinion on teenagers; implying that they are 'impossible' to deal with and that 'everyone' knows it. By using phrases like 'everyone has always assumed', the Mail Online is able to make readers believe that they should also agree with what is being said, just because they are claiming that 'everyone' else is. As well as this, in the article the mail Online has used the phrase 'scientific discovery'. Here to any reader that gives connotations of legitimacy, and so therefore they will continue to read the article presenting teenagers in a negative light believing almost every word. Furthermore passing on this bias opinion.

E.g.

Here the Mail Online use the word 'teenagers' slightly differently. Instead of presenting the generation as whole they have separated out the 'girls', almost making it appear to the reader that for a man or teenage boy to him of himself as a feminist isn't encouraged. This isolation of gender means that the Mail Online is able to target specific individuals who fit into the category, making them question themselves and their beliefs by using almost a sarcastic tone.
This article could be read completely differently, though from the bias opinions the Mail Online has previously presented, a reader who may not agree with the views the articles present may become savvy to articles as this one.

E.g.

Here again, this article headline is using one of the most common stereotypes that teenagers have. Their apparent addiction to technology. This is often looked down upon within society, usually by older generations who haven't had the same modern upbringing. I personally think that this comes from jealously and an ignorance to take the time to appreciate what todays technology can bring to society. In the article the teenagers surveyed are compared to 'generation X'; again showing how the Mail Online supports this old fashioned and bias view. 

E.g. 

In this Mail Online article, even though the 'teens' aren't supposed to be the main focus they are still presented in this bias negative light. This view which is often used by the Mail Online with celebrity teens as well, such as Madison Beer and Suede Brooks. By simply using the phrase 'teens', it gives off connotations of irresponsibleness for the reader. This is due to the teenage generation being connected to negative news stories and so automatically have a bad reputation.

E.g. 

In this article, it gives facts on percentages and figures, some of which do appear shocking to the reader. Though when looking on the age group which was surveyed for these facts, (16-24 year olds), you realise that the word 'teenager' is only used to extend the negativity of drugs in the media. This age range used does not represent the generation of 'teenagers'. Though to keep the negative image for teenagers up, the Mail Online uses statistics from young adults, placing the label on the teens.