Do modern movies and shows represent teenagers realistically?

The teenagers shown in Hollywood are far from realistic. They’re played by adults, written by adults, and designed for adults to watch. Although some of the most popular TV shows are about teenagers, they still aren't accurately portrayed. Shows like Outerbanks, Gossip Girl, or The Summer I Turned Pretty are extremely popular, appealing to both adult and teenage audiences, but they misrepresent teenagers. The widespread lack of representation leads to stereotypes and insecurity for teenagers who don't relate to the lives they see on TV. Modern TV shows and movies fail to represent teenagers realistically, often exaggerating their behaviour and casting older actors whose appearance and experiences distort the reality of high school. 

Hollywood often portrays teenagers' lives as much more dramatic and extreme than they really are. Euphoria, Outerbanks, and Pretty Little Liars focus on drugs, sex, and crime. Despite being true in many cases, experiences like high schoolers partying and drinking during the week, or committing serious crimes at a young age are heavily exaggerated. Real situations undergone by teenagers are ignored, such as school stress, family dynamics, and friendships. These shows rely on exaggerated drama for entertainment instead of prioritizing accuracy. These portrayals make teenagers seem reckless or shallow, with no regard to the diversity of high school experiences. Negative stereotypes are reinforced, influencing how teenagers are perceived by adults. 

The way the media uses adult actors to play young characters distorts how real teens see themselves. Actors playing characters nearly half their age are extremely common and problematic. For example, in the musical Dear Evan Hansen, Ben Platt, who was 28, played a 17-year-old; in Never Have I Ever,  Darren Barnet, 29, plays a high school student; and in Pretty Little Liars, Bianca Lawson, 31, plays a 16-year-old. This promotes unrealistic beauty standards for teenagers, including flawless acne free skin and perfect bodies. Teenagers compare themselves to the characters who are supposed to be their age but look much better, leading to body image issues. The casting choices also contribute to how adults misjudge real high schoolers as more mature or experienced than they are. 

These unrealistic portrayals in TV harm how both adults and high schoolers see teenagers in society. The media focuses on negative or extreme teen stories, while most teenagers think they aren't represented fairly. Because of this, adults view teenagers as irresponsible or dangerous, while teenagers internalize these stereotypes. This damages confidence, body image, and relationships between generations. Additionally, it takes away the diversity of modern teen life.

To better represent teenagers, the media needs to focus on authenticity and diversity. It's important to cast younger, age-appropriate actors, include realistic storylines, and even involve teenagers in writing and production to ensure accuracy. Highlighting positive and ordinary aspects of teen life is also crucial for a better understanding of a teenager's life.