Is the media representing the reality of youth crime?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what youth crime is, analyse how it is portrayed in the media and identify the impact this can have.
Key learning points
- The justice system deals with youth crime differently to crimes committed by adults.
- Each year the Government releases statistics about crime, these include youth crime statistics.
- According to a 2024 report, media coverage of young people is twice as likely to be negative as it is to be positive.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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.
Q2.The police protect life and property as well as preventing...
Q3.What are the three main police powers to tackle crime?
Q4.Match the role to its description.
a uniformed officer who make up most of the police force
a part-time or volunteer officer who supports police in the community
a volunteer officer who works in the same way police officers do
Q5.Which statement is true?
Q6.The three layers of the justice system are ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word with its correct definition.
crimes committed by people aged ten-17
the different ways we share and receive information on a large scale
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.
Q3.Which of the following is the most accurate statement regarding young people and crime?
Q4.Fill in the missing word: Each year the releases statistics about crime, these include youth crime statistics.
Q5.Which of the following statements is correct?
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...
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: Is the media representing the reality of youth crime?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: Is the media representing the reality of youth crime?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the What is crime? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.