Background on news seeking behavior of young adults

Young adults, particularly those in their teens and early twenties, have unique news-seeking behaviors that are shaped by their age, technology use, and social environment. Here are some key findings and trends:

  1. Social media is a primary source of news: Young adults are more likely to get their news from social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram than from traditional news sources like newspapers and TV (Pew Research Center, 2019).
  2. Mobile-first news consumption: Young adults are increasingly consuming news on their mobile devices, with 70% of 18-29-year-olds getting news on their smartphones (Pew Research Center, 2019).
  3. Bite-sized news: Young adults prefer concise, easily digestible news content, often in the form of short articles, videos, or social media posts (Nielsen, 2019).
  4. Visual content is key: Young adults are more likely to engage with news content that includes images, videos, or infographics, as these formats are more attention-grabbing and easier to consume (Nielsen, 2019).
  5. Personalization is important: Young adults want news that is tailored to their interests and preferences, with 60% of 18-29-year-olds saying they would be more likely to engage with news if it was personalized (Pew Research Center, 2019).
  6. News fatigue is a concern: Young adults may experience news fatigue, with 55% of 18-29-year-olds saying they feel overwhelmed by the amount of news they see (Pew Research Center, 2019).
  7. Trust in news sources is low: Young adults have low trust in news sources, with 63% of 18-29-year-olds saying they don't trust the news media (Pew Research Center, 2019).
  8. Influencers and celebrities are news sources: Young adults may get news from influencers, celebrities, or other non-traditional sources, which can be both a blessing and a curse (Nielsen, 2019).
  9. News is often consumed in short bursts: Young adults tend to consume news in short, fragmented sessions, often while doing other activities like scrolling through social media or watching TV (Nielsen, 2019).
  10. News is a social activity: Young adults often discuss news with friends and family, with 60% of 18-29-year-olds saying they talk about news with others (Pew Research Center, 2019).

To better understand the news-seeking behavior of young adults, consider the following demographics:

By understanding these trends and demographics, news organizations can better tailor their content and distribution strategies to reach and engage with young adult audiences.