The following paper delves into the media habits of members of Generation Y (Millennials) and Generation Z. Media consumption is rising rapidly and, as more people get access to more content, there are going to be wider audiences searching for themselves in the
entertainment they consume. How content creators choose to represent stories influences audience dialogue on sensitive variables such as youth mental health, evident in popular shows such as 13 Reasons Why (Jacobson, 2017). Growing up with a non-stop flow of information and media creates a group of critical consumers, especially embodied in the current emphasis on
inclusive narratives. Urban youth, for example, might call for specific perspectives to deal with unique traumas (Ickovics, J.R., Meade, C.S., Kerhsaw, T.S., Milan, S., Lewis, J.B. & Ethier,
K.A., 2006). This research was designed to get an idea of how Millennials and Generation Z perceive themselves in media.
The following information was received via survey, distributed electronically to the Saint Peter’s University student body in Jersey City, New Jersey. The majority of respondents were female members of Generation Z. People reported feeling least represented in regards to religion and most represented in regards to generation. On a scale of 1 to 5, the majority ranked themselves at a 3 when asked how represented in media they felt. Three of the top choices for
shows that were the most successful at authentically representing Millennials and Generation Z were also some of the top choices for shows that were least successful at accurate portrayals of
Millennials and Generation Z, these being 13 Reasons Why, Modern Family and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
The findings concluded with the strong assertion that 96% of young adults would like their generation to have input in the media created for their consumption.