How Generation Z and Technology Is Changing Journalism

Brandon Goddard

bg468718@ohio.ed

Companies are starting to change their marketing towards them, they are slowly becoming a bigger majority in the world’s population, and they’re not going anywhere. The newest generation is beginning to enter adulthood, newfound values and attitudes are being birthed alongside that entrance. That’s right, it’s Generation Z’s long awaited turn in the spotlight. Reporters are becoming that generation and older, smart reporters are aligning their takes and publishing to more fit their needs.

Generation Z’s begun to morph not only what we value in news and what reporters value to strive for their attention, but the way we intake the news and information. Growing up during a time where technological advancements were at its fastest moving pace, they have lived a life where they have never been disconnected. They are always online. In fact, 95% of Generation Z in 2018 have a smartphone. With over 25% of them having a smartphone before the age of 10. Generation Z have not experienced a world where some online device isn’t with an arm’s reach.

This lasting connection and expectation of technology has boosted the need for new technologies and the way that media reports news and info. Essentially, social media and smart devices have changed the game. Whether or not that change has had a positive result is indiscernible. Regardless, people get their news from somewhere and social media is leading that charge with about two-thirds of American adults (68%) say they at least occasionally get news on social media. 

Social media has become many adult’s main source for news and that many becomes an even larger percentage when you put it to just Generation Z and how they grew up. Traditional news is moving away from being the norm and breaking news is being first seen on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Snapchat, and Instagram. The way we consume media has changed and Generation Z is leading that charge, with most internet users averaging 2 hours and 22 minutes per day on social networking and messaging platforms. People are hearing and learning about news through social media before even hearing it on a news station or television.

However, despite having news just at our fingertips with these changes to how we consume media, less of the actual news is being taken in. Less and less is being read by users online and the only thing they take away is the headline. News is more accessible than ever, but very few actually engage with the news. In fact, for online news articles, people very rarely make it all the way down the page. A lot of people don’t even make it halfway. News is changing as it always has been, but the road we're going down now may not be the brightest.