Tạp chí in Tiếng Anh

Media framing of Generation Z in Vietnam: Analyzing the “Snowflake” label in mass media representations

Dong Anh NGUYEN Donganh@dav.edu.vn Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
Kim Ngoc CAO kimngoccao03@gmail.com Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

DOI: 10.66057/llcttt-31567

Ngày nhận bài: 12/03/2026 Ngày phản biện: 28/05/2026 Ngày xuất bản: 10/06/2026
Tải tệp
Generational labels are often attached to younger people, shaping how they are perceived and how they navigate the world around them. In today’s global culture, mass media plays a major role in forming and solidifying these labels. One such emerging label is the “Snowflake Generation,” often used to portray Generation Z (Gen Z) as emotionally fragile or overly sensitive. This study explores how that label has gradually appeared in Vietnamese mass media between 2020 and 2024. It raises concerns about age-based stereotypes, adopting an exploratory approach to analyze media portrayal of Gen Z. The “Snowflake Generation” narrative may limit professional and academic opportunities for Gen Z by fostering negative perceptions of their resilience and competence. Drawing on content analysis of news and television coverage (2020–2024) and in-depth interviews with experts, journalists, and selected Gen Z individuals, this study investigates how the mass media constructs the “Snowflake Generation” label and examines views on its relevance to Gen Z. This study adds to existing theory by exploring the label’s use in non-Western contexts and offers practical insights for media professionals.

Gen Z, media framing, mass media, snowflake generation.

REFERENCES

[1]. Abbott, T., & Abbott, R. (2017). The snowflake generation: A paranormal perspective. The Abbotts.

[2]. Alyeksyeyeva, I. (2017). Defining snowflake in British post-Brexit and US post-election public discourse. Science and Education a New Dimension, V(39) (143), 7–10.

[3]. Bolin, G. (2016). Media generations: Experience, identity and mediatised social change. Routledge.

[4]. Bolnet, L. (2020). Snowflake generation.

[5]. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

[6]. Campbell, W. K., & Twenge, J. M. (2009). The narcissism epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement. Free Press.

[7]. Chen, et al. (2023). Cross-cultural adaptation of generational labels. Journal of Media Studies.

[8]. Collins English Dictionary. (n.d.). Snowflake generation. Collins English Dictionary.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/snowflake generation.

[9]. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

[10]. D’Angelo, P. (2018). Framing research in communication: Recent advances and future directions. Communication Yearbook, 32, 91–132.

[11]. Dân Trí. (2024, November 7). Gen Z should open their hearts and stop expecting other generations to understand them. Dân Trí. https://dantri.com. vn/lao-dong-viec-lam/gen-z-can-mo-long-ngung-ky-vong-the-he-khac-hieu- minh-20241107170027664.htm (e).

[12]. Dân Trí. (2022, April 7). The snowflake generation: With such fragile mentality, who is to blame? Dân Trí. https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/the-he-bong-tuyet-nguoi-tre-co-tam-ly-yeu-duoi-nen-trach-ai-20220407221312935.htm (d).

 

[13]. DiCicco-Bloom, B., & Crabtree, B. F. (2006). The qualitative research interview. Medical Education, 40(4), 314–321.

[14]. Đỗ, Đức Minh, & Trần, Quang Minh. (2020). Fundamental philosophy of mass communication and its relevance to practical realities in Vietnam. Journal of Vietnamese Communication Studies, 67.

[15]. Đỗ Chí Nghĩa. (2009). Báo chí và dư luận xã hội ở Việt Nam hiện nay. Nhà xuất bản Chính trị Quốc gia.

[16]. Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51–58.

[17]. Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research (6th ed.). Sage Publications.

[18]. Goffman, E. (1974). Frame analysis: An essay on the organization of experience. Harvard University Press.

[19]. Heldal, I., & Stiklestad, S. (2022). Understanding the “snowflake generation”: Resilience, digital skills, and competence acquisition. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 12(3), 45-58.

[20]. Henderson, A., & Chu, M. (2021). Media framing of Generation Z. Digital Media Review.

[21]. Iyengar, S. (1991). Is anyone responsible? How television frames political issues. University of Chicago Press.

[22]. Kelly, D. M. (2006). Frame work: Helping youth counter their misrepresentations in media. Canadian Journal of Education / Revue Canadienne de L’éducation, 29(1), 27.

[23]. Kim, S., & Park, J. (2022). Snowflake narratives in South Korean media discourse. Asian Media Studies.

[24]. Kincl, T. (2022). “Snowflake” generation: A media-driven stereotype or reality? In L. S. Zavodna & T. Falch (Eds.), Teaching generation snowflakes: New challenges and opportunities (pp. 117–135). Prague University of Economics and Business, Publishing House.

[25]. Lippmann, W. (1922). Public opinion. Harcourt, Brace and Company. [26]. Mannheim, K. (2022). The problem of generations. Routledge.
[27]. Marcu, S. (2024). From “snowflake generation” to “agents of social change”:

Recognizing the voice of Spanish young people in the post-pandemic era. Futures, 164, 103500.

[28]. Martinez, L., & Chen, Y. (2023). Generation Z and media representation. International Journal of Communication.

[29]. McCombs, M. E., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176–187.

 
 

[30]. McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s mass communication theory (6th ed.). Sage Publications.

[31]. Morgan, D. L. (2014). Integrating qualitative and quantitative methods: A pragmatic approach. Sage Publications.

[32]. Morton, L., & Davidson, S. (2021). Psychological impact of “snowflake” rhetoric. Youth and Society.

[33]. Nash, C., & Stevens, R. (2020). Origins of the “snowflake generation” label. Media Discourse Analysis.

[34]. Nguyen, T., & Tran, P. (2023). Media portrayal of Generation Z in Vietnam. Vietnamese Journal of Communication.

[35]. Nguyen, Quang Manh. (2024). Verbal violence in the family – A contributing factor to the formation of the “snowflake generation”: The case of Vietnamese youth. University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. https://digital.lib. ueh.edu.vn/handle/UEH/71903.

[36]. O’Donnell, K. (2013). Visual persuasion: The media’s use of images in framing people groups. Peter Lang Publishing.

Trích dẫn bài báo

Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO. . Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông 2026, 32(1):47-63. DOI:10.66057/llcttt-31567
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO. . Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông, 2026, 32, 47-63, https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567.
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO (2026). . Tập 32, Số 1 (2026), 32(1), 47-63. https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO. . Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông, 2026, v. 32, n. 1, p. 47-63. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567.
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO. "." Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông 32, no. 1 (2026): 47-63. https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567.
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO (2026) ''. Tập 32, Số 1 (2026), 32(1), 47-63. Available at: https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567.
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO, "," Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 47-63, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO. "." Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông, vol. 32, no. 1, 2026, pp. 47-63.
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO. "." Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông 32, no. 1 (2026): 47-63. https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567.
Dong Anh NGUYEN & Kim Ngoc CAO. . Tạp chí Lý luận Chính trị và Truyền thông. 2026;32(1):47-63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.66057/llcttt-31567
Thống kê truy cập
Online: 118
Hôm nay: 3.098
Hôm qua: 4.265
Tổng: 9.089.005
Liên kết hữu ích