How youth define, consume, and evaluate news: Reviewing two decades of research

Authors Sophie Duvekot, Camila Valgas, Yael de Haan, Wiebe de Jong
Published in New Media & Society
Publication date 2024
Research groups Quality Journalism in Digital Transition
Type Article

Summary

This article offers an overview of 94 scientific studies (published between 2006 and 2022) to examine how young people (ages 10–36) define, consume, and evaluate news. Research on news and youth has exploded over the past decades, but what can we conclude from it, and how should journalism scholars move forward? The systematic literature review reveals that while young people remain interested in news, how they consume it has changed drastically. Social media platforms and algorithms now play a pivotal role in young people’s news consumption. Moreover, due to the overwhelming nature of today’s high-choice digital media landscape, youth engage both actively and passively with news, while sometimes exhibiting avoidance tendencies. The review also demonstrates how the impact of digitalization has reshaped young people’s ability to critically evaluate the credibility of news, often relying on social networks and technology platforms. The review concludes with a research agenda.

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On this publication contributed

  • Sophie Duvekot
    Sophie Duvekot
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Quality Journalism in Digital Transition
  • Camila Valgas
    Camila Valgas
    • PhD candidate
    • Research group: Quality Journalism in Digital Transition
  • Yael de Haan
    Yael de Haan
    • Professor
    • Research group: Quality Journalism in Digital Transition

Language English
Published in New Media & Society
Key words Gen Z, millennials, news consumption, news experience, social media, systematic literature review, young people, youth
Digital Object Identifier 10.1177/14614448241262809

Sophie Duvekot

Sophie Duvekot

Sophie Duvekot

  • Researcher
  • Research group: Quality Journalism in Digital Transition