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Year 7

Is the media representing the reality of youth crime?

I can explain what youth crime is, analyse how it is portrayed in the media and identify the impact this can have.

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Year 7

Is the media representing the reality of youth crime?

I can explain what youth crime is, analyse how it is portrayed in the media and identify the impact this can have.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The justice system deals with youth crime differently to crimes committed by adults.
  2. Each year the Government releases statistics about crime, these include youth crime statistics.
  3. According to a 2024 report, media coverage of young people is twice as likely to be negative as it is to be positive.
  4. Actions to improve media portrayal include petitions, events, campaigns and creating new news sources.

Keywords

  • Youth crime - crimes committed by people above the age of criminal responsibility, but under the age of 18

  • Media - the different ways we share and receive information on a large scale; this includes things like television, radio, newspapers and the internet

  • Impact - a strong effect or influence something has on a person, group or situation

Common misconception

Most young people are involved in crime because the media shows so many negative stories about them.

While the media often focuses on negative stories, the majority of young people are not involved in crime. Recent statistics show that many stop and searches and arrests don’t lead to charges, and the number of young people in custody is low.

Encourage pupils to critically analyse media stories, identify the language used in headlines and consider how it might influence public perception. Pupils could compare media reports with statistics to help them understand the difference between media portrayals and the reality of youth crime.
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Equipment

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
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Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who am I describing? A public force that helps keep the community safe; they work to prevent and investigate crimes, enforce laws and maintain order in society.
Correct Answer: The police, Police, Police officers
Q2.
The police protect life and property as well as preventing...
Correct answer: crime
confusion
corruption
Q3.
What are the three main police powers to tackle crime?
Correct answer: stop and search, arrest and entry, search and seizure
patrol, warning and detention
surveillance, questioning and fines
monitoring, questioning and arresting
Q4.
Match the role to its description.
Correct Answer:police officer,a uniformed officer who make up most of the police force
tick

a uniformed officer who make up most of the police force

Correct Answer:PCSO,a part-time or volunteer officer who supports police in the community
tick

a part-time or volunteer officer who supports police in the community

Correct Answer:special constable,a volunteer officer who works in the same way police officers do
tick

a volunteer officer who works in the same way police officers do

Q5.
Which statement is true?
Correct answer: The police are one part of the justice system of the UK.
The police are the only part of the justice system in the UK.
The police make all decisions in the UK justice system.
The police are part of the Government, not the justice system.
Q6.
The three layers of the justice system are ...
courts, lawyers and the police
Correct answer: laws, courts and the police
laws, prisons and the police

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word with its correct definition.
Correct Answer:youth crime,crimes committed by people aged ten-17
tick

crimes committed by people aged ten-17

Correct Answer:media,the different ways we share and receive information on a large scale
tick

the different ways we share and receive information on a large scale

Correct Answer:impact,a strong effect or influence something has on a person or group
tick

a strong effect or influence something has on a person or group

Q2.
Fill in the missing word: According to a 2024 report, media coverage of young people is as likely to be negative as it is to be positive.
Correct Answer: twice
Q3.
Which of the following is the most accurate statement regarding young people and crime?
Young people are involved in crime as the media focuses on negative stories.
Correct answer: The majority of young people are not involved in crime.
Negative media coverage directly causes most young people to commit crimes.
Q4.
Fill in the missing word: Each year the releases statistics about crime, these include youth crime statistics.
Correct Answer: Government
Q5.
Which of the following statements is correct?
The justice system treats all crimes equally, regardless of offender's age.
Youth crime is always tried in the same courts as adult crime.
Punishments are the same in youth and adult courts.
Correct answer: The severity of punishment for youth crime is typically the same as for adults.
Q6.
The Hertsmere Young Researchers came up with five ideas to tackle negative media views of young people. Which is missing?: create an event, campaign, use the media, create your own news source, and...
Correct Answer: petition, petitions, petitioning