New Research: Students desire more authenticity in movies and television
Students may not gravitate towards movies and television as much as social media because their voices do not feel heard through Hollywood content. Whether this is because of a lack of teenage perspective or authenticity, many movies and shows leave students wanting more.
A recent study by the Center for Scholars & Storytellers revealed that “social media is the place where Gen Z feel they can find the most authentic and diverse content”.
The movies and television that are made specifically for students may not be hitting home. One of the main findings from the study is that teens are eager to see and hear more stories from people that differ from their own identity, as well as stories that are both hopeful and uplifting.
The bottom line: Across all demographics, students are not seeing the content they want in today’s media, and at the top of the list are authenticity, inclusivity, and positivity.
What students want to see in movies and television
A survey of 662 teenagers from ages 13 to 18 revealed exactly the kinds of stories students want to see in entertainment media. Read more below to find out what that content is:
Stories about overcoming adversity in uplifting ways
Students want to see stories of people overcoming adversity and beating the odds. Stories that get stuck on pain and suffering are not desirable for students, and many would rather watch something that makes them feel hopeful and inspired.
Stories that introduce a different perspective
One of the reasons that students love social media is that they have access to so many different perspectives from their peers. Authentic and varied narratives offer students the opportunity to learn more about people and society. Movies and television should also incorporate more diversity within their content, not only to be more inclusive but also to provide students with insights into other’s lives that are different from their own.
Stories about mental health
With over 1 in 10 teenagers in the United States experiencing depression, it’s no surprise that teenagers want to see mental health issues depicted and addressed in what they watch. Students want to feel understood through the media they consume and what better way to do this than by showing students they are not alone in the struggles that they go through.
TSI’s take on authentic media
Students love movies and television that tell an authentic story. When students spend their time on social media, they feel connected to others and have access to diverse content. This is not always reflected in current movies and television shows and teenagers tend to seek content that is fun and escapist, portrays real-life issues, and has relatable content.
Here at The Social Institute, we encourage students to seek out and consume media that reflects their values. In our #WinAtSocial Grade 5 Play To Your Core Lesson, Reflecting Our Values In Content We Share and Consume, we help students learn to stay true to and reflect their values in what they share and consume.
No matter what kind of media your students are consuming, it’s important that they Play to Their Core by being their true selves on and offline. To help your school find more ways to encourage students to reflect their values, character, and interests in their actions, contact us today.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.