Media Portrayal of Teenagers and AI: A Quantitative Study on News Framing

Abstract

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among teenagers is increasing, significantly influencing their mindset and behavior. This study aims to analyze the representation of the relationship between AI and teenagers in media coverage through content analysis. Data was collected from 60 news articles obtained using the keywords "teenagers" and "AI" on Google News, focusing on narratives related to the impact of AI on teenagers. Four main categories were analyzed: AI as a threat to teenagers, AI exacerbating teenage behavior, the secretive use of AI by teenagers, and AI as a tool supporting positive spaces. This study contributes to understanding how media represents AI in the context of teenagers and provides new insights by highlighting the imbalance in media coverage, which tends to emphasize the risks of AI rather than its positive impacts. The findings reveal that most coverage emphasizes the negative impacts of AI on teenagers, such as addiction risks and behavioral changes that may lead to self-harm, compared to the less discussed positive aspects, such as educational benefits. The implications of these findings suggest the need for a more balanced and prudent approach in media coverage, allowing AI to be explored further as a beneficial tool for teenagers, while reducing the focus on threats and risks alone. This study also opens up opportunities for further research on how the media shapes public perception of modern technologies among the younger generation.