Positive action will counter negative images

Now in its fourth year, the awards have sought to counter negative media stereotypes of teenagers as "yobs" and "hoodies". The present knife crime problem has served only to intensify the media's often instinctive contempt for the nation's young. Indeed, in their report to the United Nations last week, the UK's four children's commissioners cited the Mori survey that launched the Positive Images campaign, in which 71 per cent of stories about young people were found to be negative.

It's now widely recognised in our society that young people routinely get a bad press, where the problems of the few eclipse the achievements of the many. As the saying goes in the media, if it bleeds, it leads. But constantly lamenting the "demonisation" of the young won't do much to change views and perceptions. In fact, it even risks hardening media attitudes.