Managing Impact of “Shock Value” News on the Millennial Generation

Media and news outlets have the innate ability to convey certain messages that are packaged to various demographic audiences in order to manipulate or reaffirm the standing dogmas in regard to current global events. This paper analyses the profound innovation in social media such as ‘shock value’ news and its impact on millennial generation. Employing quantitative and qualitative methodology, the research uses the cross-case examination between the frequency of ‘shock value’ sememe and the connotations they hold. Based on the content and semiotic analysis, it was found that not only the use of shocking motifs within daily global news have a significant impact on millennial audiences, but the frequency at which it is delivered may contribute to the notion of Millennials being ‘lost’ and ‘existential’. The study reveals the correlation between Millennials’ media portrayals and millennial existentialism. The findings of the study provide a platform for discourse and corroboration to the new theoretical process of ‘Millennial Existentialism’ and propose a new paradigm for social media managers with regard to contemporary society.