Media Youth Crime By: Joel, Desmond M, Stephanie, Michael, Loni

Our Project/ Our Goal Using various forms of media (TV, radio, newspapers). Research the popular media reasons why youth commit crime.Using various forms of media (TV, radio, newspapers). Research the popular media reasons why youth commit crime. Our goal is to show you some of the media myths and facts about youth and crimeOur goal is to show you some of the media myths and facts about youth and crime

What is the Media? MEDIA :are the print (newspaper, magazines, etc.) and electronic (radio and television) communication devices used for advertising.MEDIA :are the print (newspaper, magazines, etc.) and electronic (radio and television) communication devices used for advertising. The role of the media is to convey the news (local, national, international), among other things. It may be in the form of articles, statistics, letters to the editor, TV, etc.The role of the media is to convey the news (local, national, international), among other things. It may be in the form of articles, statistics, letters to the editor, TV, etc.

The Media Is one of the most influential tools in the worldIs one of the most influential tools in the world The public has easy access to the mediaThe public has easy access to the media The media can influence the way people think about their societyThe media can influence the way people think about their society

The publics view Despite actual declines in youth crime over the past decade, the public’s perception of youth violence has reached all time heights.Despite actual declines in youth crime over the past decade, the public’s perception of youth violence has reached all time heights. Media blitzes surrounding school shootings and other violent, but rare incidents have succeeded in scaring the public and creating a climate that supports tougher juvenile laws like curfews and trying kids in adult courts.Media blitzes surrounding school shootings and other violent, but rare incidents have succeeded in scaring the public and creating a climate that supports tougher juvenile laws like curfews and trying kids in adult courts.

Cont. 75% of the public say they form their opinions about crime from what they see or read in the news, while only 22% say they get their primary information on crime from personal experience.75% of the public say they form their opinions about crime from what they see or read in the news, while only 22% say they get their primary information on crime from personal experience. The media rarely connect crimes to a larger social context and they disproportionately connect people of color as perpetrators of crime and white people as victims of crime.The media rarely connect crimes to a larger social context and they disproportionately connect people of color as perpetrators of crime and white people as victims of crime.

Fun myths and facts about youth crime

Quick quote “ An important issue is how adults treat me just because I’m a teenager. Sure there are bad ones out there but I’m not one of them. It doesn’t just hurt but it’s disrespectful when security figures follow me around like I’m some kind of loser or criminal.” ( Canada’s Teens: today, yesterday, and tomorrow) “ An important issue is how adults treat me just because I’m a teenager. Sure there are bad ones out there but I’m not one of them. It doesn’t just hurt but it’s disrespectful when security figures follow me around like I’m some kind of loser or criminal.” ( Canada’s Teens: today, yesterday, and tomorrow)

“Unplanned pregnancies, HIV infection and AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases. Cigarettes, alcohol and drug abuse. Eating disorders. Violence. Suicide. Car crashes.”“Unplanned pregnancies, HIV infection and AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases. Cigarettes, alcohol and drug abuse. Eating disorders. Violence. Suicide. Car crashes.” The 21- word lead in is from a Washington Post report that summarizes today’s image of the teenager.(12/22/92)The 21- word lead in is from a Washington Post report that summarizes today’s image of the teenager.(12/22/92)

NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll MYTH MYTH 71% of Americans felt that a school shooting was likely in their community.71% of Americans felt that a school shooting was likely in their community. FACT There was less than a one in two million chance of being killed in a school in America in

MYTH/FACT MYTH MYTH People believe today’s youth are uniquely criminal, violent, and out of controlPeople believe today’s youth are uniquely criminal, violent, and out of control FACT Crime rates among youths have generally fallen over the last two decades However, there has been a rise in adult crime

MYTH/FACT MYTH MYTH Today’s youth are using guns and committing more violent crimes (i.e.: murder)Today’s youth are using guns and committing more violent crimes (i.e.: murder) FACT Youths account for only a tiny portion of murders. In 1994, the FBI reported that persons under the age of 18 committed only 10.2% of all murders

IN CANADA According to statistics Canada, incidences of youth homicide have been on the decrease for years.According to statistics Canada, incidences of youth homicide have been on the decrease for years. There were 30 youths accused of homicide in 2001, the lowest level in over 30 years and 18 fewer than the average of 48 over the past decadeThere were 30 youths accused of homicide in 2001, the lowest level in over 30 years and 18 fewer than the average of 48 over the past decade

In These Times (5/20/92) In the early ’80s, officials hyping the “war on drugs” orchestrated media hysteria about “skyrocketing” teenage drug abuse.In the early ’80s, officials hyping the “war on drugs” orchestrated media hysteria about “skyrocketing” teenage drug abuse. In fact teenage drug death rates were plummeting (down 70% from 1970 to 1982)In fact teenage drug death rates were plummeting (down 70% from 1970 to 1982) In the late ‘80s, the same media outlets made official claims of a drug-war “success”In the late ‘80s, the same media outlets made official claims of a drug-war “success” In reality youth drug deaths were skyrocketing (up 85% from )In reality youth drug deaths were skyrocketing (up 85% from )

Other media reasons Poverty among ethnic/racial groupsPoverty among ethnic/racial groups “Broken Homes”“Broken Homes” The internetThe internet Video gamesVideo games MoviesMovies TVTV BoredomBoredom

A Grim Picture If the media presents a distorted view of youth and youth crime to the public, the public will react by calling for more action from police and gov.If the media presents a distorted view of youth and youth crime to the public, the public will react by calling for more action from police and gov. The police will charge more youths, judges will enact harsher sentences, and gov. officials will change youth crime laws.The police will charge more youths, judges will enact harsher sentences, and gov. officials will change youth crime laws.

A Grim Picture Cont. This reaction will create higher statistics, including the amount of youths arrested, charged, and incarcerated.This reaction will create higher statistics, including the amount of youths arrested, charged, and incarcerated. The media will notice this rise. The media will then report to the public and the public will react, calling for even harsher youth laws.The media will notice this rise. The media will then report to the public and the public will react, calling for even harsher youth laws. Notice any kind of pattern emerging?Notice any kind of pattern emerging?

Conclusion One youth from Montreal, age 15, sums up the feeling of many teens: “ Today’s youths are intelligent but some adults don’t think so. We are people too. Youths are discriminated against and that’s not right. To get through to young people, you have to listen to them, trust them, and respect them. The way I look and the music I listen to does not make me a “bad” person. I am my own person.” ( Canada’s teens: yesterday, today, and tomorrow) One youth from Montreal, age 15, sums up the feeling of many teens: “ Today’s youths are intelligent but some adults don’t think so. We are people too. Youths are discriminated against and that’s not right. To get through to young people, you have to listen to them, trust them, and respect them. The way I look and the music I listen to does not make me a “bad” person. I am my own person.” ( Canada’s teens: yesterday, today, and tomorrow)

References youth.htmlhttp:// youth.htmlhttp:// youth.htmlhttp:// youth.html