Media consumption of adolescents and parents: sources of information and trust in them

Abstract

Investigation of media consumption preferences among younger and older generations allows for prediction of the direction of transformation of the information society in the context of mixed online-offline reality. The current study aimed to analyze the preferred sources of information among adolescents and their parents, as well as the degree of trust in these sources. The study involved 637 participants (N adolescents = 300, N parents = 337) who rated12 types of sources in terms of the frequency of access and the level of trust on a 4-point scale. Online activity on weekdays and weekends was also reported. According to the results, transformation of media consumption occurs due to the expansion of the information field, primarily among adolescents who actively use digital media. Adolescents prefer horizontal methods of obtaining information both online (through social networks or Wikipedia, compiled by ordinary users) and offline -from parents, peers and teachers. At the same time, offline communication with parents and peers remains the dominant source of information in terms of frequency. The choice of online sources of information is relevant for active representatives of both generations. Both adolescents and parents were shown to demonstrate the highest level of trust in their social environment and books. Parents with high user activity trust a wider range of sources: both offline media and new media. However, compared to parents, adolescents trust various sources of information evenmore. Also, online media does not supplant the importance of traditional sources of informationfor adolescents butcomplements them. Thus, the diversification of information sources and a relatively high level of trust in various sources, while maintaining a critical and responsible attitude to information, can be a unique resource for the younger generation. It canserve as the basis for constructing a positive information culture of reciprocity and transparency in the context of the “new normality”.