digital device and social media effects on news consumption

THE AFFECT OF DIGITAL DEVICES AND SOCIAL MEDIA ON NEWS CONSUMPTION Kristen Comeaux and Jana Rainer

DIGITAL DEVICE OWNERSHIP

HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

Most people think that digital devices will make people use less news, but it’s the opposite.

Rather than replacing news consumption on digital devices, such as a laptops or tablets, those using mobile devices are getting news on all digital devices.

8 in 10 who get news on smartphones or tablets, get news on conventional computers as well.

HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

These adults also appear to be: Getting news more often Reading for longer periods of time

People are taking advantage of having easier access to news throughout the day In their pocket On their desks In their laps.

SUMMARY: HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE Percentage of adults who use:

FacebookTwitter Non-users

51%

13%

36%

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

Facebook leads Twitter in intersection of social media and news.

In 2011, Facebook added the Social Reader, which allows users to follow, read and share news without ever leaving the network.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

Facebook users get news from: Friends Family

Twitter users get news from

a wider variety of sources.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

Social media news consumers have not given up other methods of getting news such as: Going directly to websites Using apps Through search.

Social media is an additional path to news, not a replacement for traditional ones.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

CONSUMPTION OF NEWS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA THROUGH DIFFERENT DEVICES There is no bias when it comes to using different

devices.

SUMMARY: HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS NEWS CONSUMPTION

Despite the explosion of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, social media and recommendations from friends are not the main factors determining news consumption.

Adults are still using conventional means such as news sites and search to acquire their news.