A Growing Trend Among Young People
Recently, a study carried out by the Chair of Futures of Communication at Pompeu Fabra University revealed that 20% of Catalan youth regularly avoid checking the news. In addition, 40% of these young people do so on specific occasions. This research, which was carried out through a survey of 1,022 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24, has explored in depth the reasons for this worrying phenomenon.
Negative Emotions and Information Saturation
The study highlights that negative emotional reactions to news significantly influence their avoidance. When this response is intense, 28% of young people choose to avoid the news, a figure that decreases to 20% when negative emotions are less pronounced. The researchers point to the need to develop more constructive journalism, which offers solutions to social problems rather than simply exposing them.
The Influence of Social Networks
Information overload is also a factor contributing to avoidance. 29% of young people who perceive information overload choose to reduce their news consumption. In addition, the phenomenon known as ‘the news finds me’ is gaining momentum; many young people believe that they do not need to seek out news, as it mainly comes to them through social networks. When this feeling is most intense, 27% of young people avoid the news, while this percentage drops to 21% when the perception is lower.
Preferred Information Sources
The study also reveals that 44% of young Catalans get their news from social media at least five days a week. In addition, 20% watch television with the same frequency, while 16% look for news directly on news websites. In comparison, only 7% of young people listen to the radio or read local or national newspapers with the same regularity.
Distrust of the Media
Another prominent finding of the research is the general mistrust young people show towards the media. Approximately 40% of respondents do not believe that the media provides accurate and unbiased coverage. In addition, a third of young people have not taken a position on the issue, which indicates a certain ambivalence.
Actions to Reduce Avoidance
The study authors point out that the most effective measures to combat news avoidance should focus on mitigating negative emotions and reducing the feeling of information saturation. They also recommend delinking the concept of news from social networks to encourage more active and conscious consumption of information.
Topics That Generate Avoidance
The study analyzes which topics are most avoided by young people, highlighting that 39% reduce their frequency of media consultation, while 36% opt for activities that do not involve information consumption. Topics such as national politics and wars are the most avoided, with significant variations by gender in other areas such as social justice, the environment or sports.
Towards a More Inclusive Information Future
Tackling the disconnection of young people from the world of news is a major challenge for today’s society. Understanding the causes of this evasion is essential to designing strategies that encourage critical and balanced consumption of information, essential for a healthy and participatory democracy.