> **来源：[研报客](https://pc.yanbaoke.cn)** # **Summary of "Get Real! Relatability on Demand" (Teens & Screens 2025)** ## **Core Content** This report, *Get Real! Relatability on Demand*, is part of the annual Teens & Screens study conducted by the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA. It explores the media preferences and perspectives of U.S. adolescents aged 10–24, focusing on their desire for **realistic, relatable stories** in entertainment media. The study includes data from 1,500 participants and emphasizes the importance of understanding adolescent voices to create more authentic and inclusive content. ## **Main Findings** ### **1. Traditional Media is Social, Too – Maybe More Than Social Media** - **57%** of adolescents say they watch TV and movies more than older generations think they do, nearly **4x** more than those who disagree. - **53%** discuss TV shows and movies with friends more than content on social media. - **31.2%** of adolescents choose movies over other media types when watching with friends, **twice** as often as social media. - **Theaters** remain the top weekend activity for adolescents, with **72%** citing the togetherness of watching a movie as more important post-pandemic. ### **2. Adolescents Prefer Realistic, Relatable Stories** - **Relatable stories** are now the top preference, with **32.7%** of teens favoring them over fantasy, real-world issues, or aspirational stories. - A **35.3%** increase in preference for relatable stories compared to last year. - Teens want to see **people with lives like theirs**, emphasizing authenticity and connection to real-life experiences. ### **3. Friendship Comes First, Even in Romance** - **59.7%** of adolescents aged 14–24 want content that centers on **friendships** rather than romance. - **54.9%** prefer **different-gender friendships** to prioritize platonic bonds instead of turning into romantic relationships. - **60.9%** want romantic relationships that focus more on **friendship than sex**. - **48.4%** feel there is **too much sexual content** in TV and movies. ### **4. The Boundaries Between Media Types Are Fluid** - Adolescents consume and engage with **all types of media** without rigid boundaries, often using them for **connection and community**. - **YouTube** is seen as the most authentic digital media platform, with **66.1%** of adolescents rating it as "often" or "always" authentic, compared to **59.1%** for TikTok. ### **5. Preferences Vary by Demographics** - **LGBTQIA+ adolescents** prioritize **nonbinary and LGBTQIA+ identities**, **mental health**, **friendships**, **hopeful stories**, and **people with lives like theirs**. - **Girls and young women** prefer **family life**, **friendships**, **uplifting stories**, and **empowering stories about women**. - **Boys and young men** lean towards **superheroes**, **people with lives like theirs**, **action scenes**, **friendships**, and **uplifting stories**. ## **Key Topics Adolescents Want to See** - People with lives like mine - Hopeful uplifting stories with people beating the odds - Friendships and social groups - Action and/or fight scenes - Superheroes - Family life and relationships with parents - Empowering stories about women - Mental health - Dystopian and/or apocalyptic - Lifestyles of the working class - Awareness of climate change and the environment - Systemic injustice - Life as an immigrant - Nonbinary and LGBTQIA+ identities ## **Tropes to Avoid** - **Love triangles**: **52%** of adolescents dislike them, especially when they feel forced or unrealistic. - **Toxic relationships framed as romantic**: **54.1%** want fewer portrayals of relationships with troubled beginnings or frequent conflict. - **Relationships based mostly on physical attraction**: **48.4%** feel there is **too much sex and sexual content** in media. ## **Bonus Content: Top 25 Favorite Shows and Movies** - **Stranger Things** - **Wednesday** - **SpongeBob SquarePants** - **Spider-Man** (tie) - **Family Guy** (tie) - **The Vampire Diaries** (tie) - **The Summer I Turned Pretty** (tie) - **Breaking Bad** (tie) - **K-Pop Demon Hunters** (tie) - **Supernatural** (tie) - **Dexter** (tie) - **Superman** (tie) - **Squid Game** (tie) - **The Walking Dead** (tie) - **Tom and Jerry** - **Friends** (tie) - **Ginny & Georgia** (tie) - **The Rookie** (tie) - **BMF** (tie) - **Rick and Morty** (tie) - **Game of Thrones** (tie) - **Naruto** (tie) - **Jurassic Park/World Franchise** (tie) - **Bob's Burgers** (tie) - **Coraline** (tie) ## **Common Themes in Top 25** - **Friendship**-centered content - **Family**-focused stories - **Relatable fantasy** with grounded narratives ## **Conclusion** Adolescents are not just passive consumers of media; they are **active participants** in shaping their media environments. They seek **authentic connections**, **realistic portrayals**, and **community-building experiences** through stories that reflect their **real lives** and **relationships**. The report calls for the entertainment industry to **listen to young voices** and create content that is **inclusive, accurate, and meaningful** to their experiences. CSS aims to bridge the gap between youth and creators by providing **data-driven insights** and **amplifying adolescent perspectives**. ## **Methodology and Support** - The study was conducted with a sample that closely reflects **Gen Z demographics** in the U.S. - The report was supported by **FAST**, **Warner Brothers Discovery**, **Nielsen Foundation**, **Templeton World Charity Foundation**, and **Roblox**. ## **Future Work** - CSS plans to integrate findings into **AskYalda**, an AI-powered research tool for storytellers. - The **Youth Media Representation (YMR)** program aims to create a pipeline for authentic youth perspectives into media creation.