This is one example of how young people are satirised on mainstream TV programmes. It's an extreme example, but there are other less-than-flattering portrayals of young people in soaps and reality TV programmes such as EastEnders, Brat Camp and Bad Lads Army. In these days of TV ratings wars, featuring "problem" young people in a show is a sure-fire way to attract viewers.
Kierra Box, 20, a student and founder of Hands Up, an organisation that aims to help young people voice their opinions, believes that broadcasters need to think carefully before depicting young people. She isn't particularly bothered by caricatures such as Vicky Pollard and Lauren from The Catherine Tate Show: "I don't think anyone takes it that seriously," she says. But she does take issue with "real" characters in soaps.
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