Executive summary
The collection of studies offers crucial insights into news consumption behaviors among college students and young adults, highlighting the evolving dynamics in the digital era. A central theme across these studies is the significant role of social interactions and academic environments in shaping news habits and discerning credible news sources, as illustrated by Head et al. (2019) and Antunovic et al. (2018). These findings underscore a generational shift towards digital media, emphasizing the need to adapt to changing news engagement patterns.
Another key aspect is the influence of digital platforms and social media regulations on news consumption. Studies by Etta et al. (2023) and Omar et al. (2023) demonstrate how content moderation policies and factors like news credibility significantly impact user engagement and preferences.
Additionally, the psychological and societal implications of news consumption are explored. Kormelink’s (2023) study on news habit formation and Villi et al.’s (2022) research on news avoidance reveal the complex interplay between personal routines, mental well-being, and news consumption. Complementing this, Schrøder’s (2019) work on personal relevance in news choices and Karnowski et al.’s (2018) study on news-sharing behavior highlight the importance of individual preferences and social motives in news engagement.
In essence, these studies collectively reveal a nuanced picture of news consumption, marked by the interplay of social influence, digital platform dynamics, individual preferences, and psychological factors, offering valuable perspectives for understanding and addressing news engagement behaviors in the modern digital landscape.
The reviewed studies collectively provide substantial support for our inquiry into news engagement behaviors amongst college students, offering a multifaceted understanding of how they interact with news in the digital age. Key themes, such as the influence of social interactions, academic settings, digital media platforms, and individual psychological factors, align closely with the core objectives of our study. By revealing the diverse ways in which college students access, consume, and share news, these studies illuminate the complex dynamics of news engagement in a generation deeply intertwined with digital media. This rich body of research not only validates our study’s focus but also guides its future direction, emphasizing the importance of considering the interplay between social environments, digital literacy, and individual preferences. It provides a foundational framework for developing strategies to enhance news literacy and engagement among college students, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of digital news consumption.
1. Across the great divide: How today’s college students engage with news
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This paper, from First Monday, presents a mixed-methods study investigating college students’ engagement with news in the context of credibility concerns and the proliferation of “fake news” in the U.S. The study combines a comprehensive online survey, an open-ended question analysis, and follow-up interviews with students from 11 U.S. colleges and universities, examining their news consumption pathways, the role of classroom discussions in shaping news habits, and trust-building in news sources.
Experimental Results / Findings
The study found a diverse range of news consumption pathways among students, with a significant role played by classroom discussions. Over two-thirds of respondents engaged with news via multiple channels including social media, online newspapers, and peer discussions. The findings indicate a complex online media landscape where discussions with peers, parents, and professors guide students in identifying trustworthy news stories.
Discussion of Results and Significance
The research underscores the multifaceted nature of news engagement among college students. It highlights the challenges students face in discerning credible news sources in a digital era marked by an abundance of information. The importance of social interactions in news consumption, particularly in academic settings, is emphasized, shedding light on the social dynamics underlying news engagement.
Relation to Our Study
This paper is directly relevant to your research on American college students’ news engagement behaviors. It provides insights into the diverse ways students interact with news and the significant influence of social and academic environments on their news consumption habits.
Head, A. J., Van Hoeck, M., Eschler, J., & Fullerton, S. (2019). Across the great divide: How today’s college students engage with news. First Monday, 24(8). Retrieved from https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/10166
2. “Checking” and Googling: Stages of News Consumption Among Young Adults
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This paper, authored by Antunovic, Parsons, and Cooke, examines the evolving processes of news consumption among young adults, particularly college students. The study employs qualitative research methods, specifically focus group interviews, to explore how students obtain news. It proposes a three-stage process of news consumption influenced by new media: routine surveillance, incidental consumption, and directed consumption.
Experimental Results / Findings
The study reveals that college students have a diverse approach to news consumption, characterized by a mix of online and traditional media. Routine surveillance involves regular news checking, primarily via mobile devices and social media. Incidental consumption occurs when students encounter news unintentionally, often through social media. Directed consumption is when students actively seek out additional information on specific news stories, usually through online searches.
Discussion of Results and Significance
The findings highlight the changing nature of news consumption among young adults, emphasizing the shift from traditional media to digital platforms. The study underscores the importance of understanding these evolving habits, particularly in the context of generational changes in media use and the broader implications for news engagement and information literacy.
Relation to Our Study
This research aligns with your study by providing insights into the patterns of news consumption among American college students. It offers a framework for understanding how digital media affects their news engagement, which is crucial for examining their behaviors and motivations in interacting with news.
Antunovic, D., Parsons, P., & Cooke, T. R. (2018). ‘Checking’ and googling: Stages of news consumption among young adults. Journalism, 19(5), 632-648. https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884916663625
3. Comparing the Impact of Social Media Regulations on News Consumption
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This study investigates the impact of social media regulations on news consumption patterns. The researchers conducted a comparative analysis between Twitter (content-regulated) and Gab (little to no content moderation). The study analyzed approximately three million posts and comments related to COVID-19 from January to September 2020, focusing on user interaction with news articles and assessing differences in engagement with content from various news sources.
Experimental Results / Findings
The analysis revealed significant differences in news consumption patterns on the two platforms. Twitter’s content moderation policies led to a reduction in engagement with questionable content and an increased affiliation with reliable sources. On Gab, without strict content regulation, users engaged with both questionable and reliable content, showing a slight preference for questionable sources. Twitter users demonstrated a clear segregation towards reliable content, while Gab presented a more heterogeneous user interaction.
Discussion of Results and Significance
The study’s findings highlight the influence of content regulation policies on social media platforms in shaping user engagement with news. It underscores the role of moderation in controlling misinformation and the formation of echo chambers, indicating the potential impact of these platforms on public opinion and information dissemination.
Relation to Our Study
This research is relevant to your study as it provides insights into how content regulation on social media platforms can influence news consumption behaviors among users, including college students. It sheds light on the dynamics of information credibility and user engagement with news sources, which are crucial factors in understanding news engagement behaviors.
Etta, M. Cinelli, A. Galeazzi, C. M. Valensise, W. Quattrociocchi and M. Conti, “Comparing the Impact of Social Media Regulations on News Consumption,” in IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1252-1262, June 2023, doi: 10.1109/TCSS.2022.3171391.
4. Effects of Message, Medium, and Motivational Factors on News Engagement and Mobile News Consumption: Evidence from Malaysia
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This study, conducted by Omar, Ng, and Ismail, investigates the predictors of news engagement and mobile news consumption in Malaysia. It focuses on three key factors: message (news credibility), medium (interactivity and immediacy), and motivation (information-seeking and social utility). The study employs an online survey with 520 Malaysian respondents to assess how these factors influence engagement and consumption of public affairs news.
Experimental Results / Findings
The study found that news credibility was the most influential predictor for both news engagement and mobile news consumption. Interactivity and social utility significantly impacted news engagement but not mobile news consumption. Immediacy and information-seeking motivations showed negligible influence.
Discussion of Results and Significance
The findings emphasize the critical role of news credibility in engaging audiences, especially in a digital and mobile news environment. The study contributes to understanding the complex dynamics of online news consumption, highlighting the importance of credible, interactive, and socially utilitarian content in engaging audiences.
Relation to Our Study
This research is relevant to your study as it sheds light on how various factors influence news engagement and consumption, especially in a digital context. Understanding these dynamics can inform your study on American college students’ news consumption behaviors.
Omar, B., Ng, S. K., & Ismail, N. (2023). Effects of message, medium, and motivational factors on news engagement and mobile news consumption: Evidence from Malaysia. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 13(3), e202325. https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/13116
5. How People Integrate News into Their Everyday Routines: A Context-Centered Approach to News Habits
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This study by Tim Groot Kormelink examines how people incorporate news into their daily routines. Focusing on the habit formation process, it used qualitative methods, interviewing 68 participants who received a three-week newspaper trial subscription. The study aimed to understand the facilitators and obstacles in adopting news consumption as a habitual activity.
Experimental Results / Findings
Key findings include the importance of concurrent rewards, embedding news consumption into existing routines, and visual reminders. Obstacles included lack of steady routines, strong existing habits, perceived effort, disillusionment, and accessibility issues. The study highlighted that while some participants successfully integrated news into their routines, others faced challenges due to competing habits and the effort required.
Discussion of Results and Significance
The research emphasizes the complexity of news habit formation. It underscores that news consumption is not just about access to information but also involves integrating this activity into existing lifestyles and overcoming various psychological and practical barriers.
Relation to Our Study
This study is highly relevant to your project, as it provides insights into the behavioral aspects of news consumption among individuals, including college students. Understanding these facilitators and obstacles can inform strategies to enhance news engagement in your target demographic.
Tim Groot Kormelink (2023) How People Integrate News into Their Everyday Routines: A Context-Centered Approach to News Habits, Digital Journalism, 11:1, 19-38, DOI: 10.1080/21670811.2022.2112519
6. Taking a Break from News: A Five-nation Study of News Avoidance in the Digital Era
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This study by Villi et al. examines news avoidance across five nations (Argentina, Finland, Israel, Japan, and the U.S.). It uses a qualitative approach with 488 in-depth interviews to explore the reasons behind news avoidance. The study investigates both cognitive and emotional drivers for deliberately avoiding news and how these manifest in different national contexts.
Experimental Results / Findings
The research revealed two main drivers for intentional news avoidance: cognitive and emotional. Cognitive drivers include news fatigue and overexposure to certain news topics, while emotional drivers relate to negative reactions towards news content. There’s also an unintentional form of news non-use, which is more about preference for other content types than active avoidance.
Discussion of Results and Significance
The study’s findings highlight how news avoidance is influenced by various factors, including cultural context and individual emotions. It emphasizes that news avoidance is not just a matter of disinterest but can be a response to the overwhelming nature of news in the digital era.
Relation to Our Study
This paper is relevant to your study as it provides a comprehensive view of the reasons behind news avoidance, which can be crucial for understanding the diverse news consumption behaviors of American college students.
Mikko Villi, Tali Aharoni, Keren Tenenboim-Weinblatt, Pablo J. Boczkowski, Kaori Hayashi, Eugenia Mitchelstein, Akira Tanaka & Neta Kligler-Vilenchik (2022) Taking a Break from News: A Five-nation Study of News Avoidance in the Digital Era, Digital Journalism, 10:1, 148-164, DOI: 10.1080/21670811.2021.1904266
7. The Modern Informed Citizen: Understanding Trade-offs in Digital News Consumption
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
The paper by Marianne Aubin Le Quéré investigates the trade-offs in digital news consumption and their impact on individuals’ information well-being. It explores how the informed citizen concept is reshaped in digital spaces, considering the balance between staying informed and the potential mental health risks of overexposure to news.
Experimental Results / Findings
The research outlines the challenges and consequences of high news consumption, particularly in the digital age. It addresses how excessive exposure to news can lead to information overload and mental health concerns, contrasting with the traditional view of informed citizenship as crucial for democracy.
Discussion of Results and Significance
This study highlights the complexity of news consumption in the digital era, emphasizing the need for a balance between being well-informed and maintaining mental well-being. It contributes to understanding how technological advancements in news delivery impact individuals’ civic engagement and personal health.
Relation to Our Study
This paper is pertinent to your study, as it provides insights into the psychological and societal effects of digital news consumption, which is relevant when examining college students’ engagement with news and its impact on their well-being.
Marianne Aubin Le Quéré. 2023. The Modern Informed Citizen: Understanding Trade-offs in Digital News Consumption. In Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA ’23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 503, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544549.3577051
8. What do News Readers Really Want to Read about? How Relevance Works for News Audiences
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This study by Kim Christian Schrøder, conducted by the Reuters Institute, explores how individuals decide what news to engage with in a high-choice media environment. Utilizing an innovative qualitative methodology, the study focuses on understanding latent patterns in news preferences and the factors driving these choices, moving beyond conventional news categories.
Experimental Results / Findings
The study identifies relevance as the paramount driver of news consumption. It finds that people are most interested in news that impacts their personal lives, community, or leisure activities. Additionally, the research reveals four distinct news content repertoires representing different interest groups, each consisting of a diverse diet of news stories.
Discussion of Results and Significance
The findings emphasize the importance of personal relevance in news consumption, challenging traditional perceptions of news preferences. The study highlights the significance of understanding news audience tastes and preferences in a complex and high-choice media environment.
Relation to Our Study
This research is highly relevant to your study on American college students’ news engagement. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing news consumption choices, which is crucial in analyzing the behaviors and motivations of college students in their news engagement.
Schrøder, K. C. (2019). What do News Readers Really Want to Read about? How Relevance Works for News Audiences. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
9. Why Users Share the News: A Theory of Reasoned Action-Based Study on the Antecedents of News-Sharing Behavior
Summary of Paper Topic and Experiment Description
This study, conducted by Karnowski, Leonhard, & Kümpel, explores the factors influencing news-sharing behavior on social media among German users. Applying the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), it analyzes the effects of motives, attitude, and intention on news-sharing behavior. The study surveyed 333 German social media users, focusing on the motives for sharing news and how these relate to the behavioral intentions and actions of users.
Experimental Results / Findings
The study finds that news-sharing attitude and subjective norms positively affect news-sharing intention, which in turn influences actual news-sharing behavior. Information seeking and socializing were significant motives affecting news-sharing attitudes, while entertainment and status-seeking motives had less impact.
Discussion of Results and Significance
This research highlights the rational choice logic in news-sharing behavior on social media. It reflects the dual role of social media in facilitating both information retrieval and social interaction. The study is significant in understanding the motivations behind news-sharing behavior in the early stages of its societal diffusion.
Relation to Our Study
The findings are relevant to your study as they provide insights into the social and informational motives driving news-sharing among users, including college students. Understanding these motivations is key to comprehensively examining news engagement behaviors.
Veronika Karnowski, Larissa Leonhard & Anna Sophie Kümpel (2018) Why Users Share the News: A Theory of Reasoned Action-Based Study on the Antecedents of News-Sharing Behavior, Communication Research Reports, 35:2, 91-100, DOI: 10.1080/08824096.2017.1379984
