Millennials are anything but “newsless,” passive, or uninterested in civic issues, according to a new comprehensive study of the information habits of people age 18-34. The research looks closely at how members of the Millennial generation learn about the world on different devices and platforms.
The study finds that Millennials consume news and information in strikingly different ways than did previous generations. Contrary to popular perception, they keep up with news that is commonly referred to as “traditional” or “hard,” as well as stories that connect them to hobbies, culture, jobs, and entertainment. This study was conducted jointly by the American Press Institute and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
“This is the second study we have conducted that challenges some common perceptions about news in the digital age,” said Tom Rosenstiel, executive director of the American Press Institute. “This one finds that across a range of metrics, the first digital generation is highly engaged. If anything, the enormous role of social media appears to have a widening impact, not a narrowing one, on the awareness of this generation.”
Among the study’s findings: