The New Media

• The New Media

  The new media has 4 defining features:

  1.Digitality - Essentially uses computers and data is in binary form (1s and 0s - which can be processed much faster).2.Interactivity - People can engage or interact in some way.a.Participatory culture - Media content is shaped by consumer involvement.b.Collective intelligence - Creates a ‘buzz’ between users, who have a range of knowledge instantly accessible.3.Hypertextuality - Web of connections between different parts of the media4.Dispersal - Less centralised and more adaptive to individual choices.•
• New Media Users


  ●Young and middle-aged?●Educated?●Not Materially deprived?
• New Media Non- Users

  ●Elderly?●Materially deprived?●Disabled?●Living rurally?
• Age Difference- Boyle 2007

  Boyle points out that the younger generation have grown up with new media, and been taught how to use it through peers, at school, and through the internet at home by themselves.

  They are more likely to consume media through a variety of formats

  They are 10x more likely to go online via their mobile than those aged 55+
• Age Difference

  In addition to Boyle’s ideas, OFCOM found that 16 to 24-year-olds, compared to older people:

  ●Are greater internet users and spend more time online●Are more likely to have internet at home●Are more likely to use and own a smartphone●Are more aware of and attached to new technology●Are more likely to see the internet as a pastime●Are more likely to get news from mobile devices
• Class Differences

  Jones agrees with Boyle about age, but believes that within the younger generation, social class also has an impact on new media use.

  He found that 16 to 24-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds were relatively infrequent users of the internet.
• Gender Differences


  Li and Kirkup studied the use of the internet by Chinese and British students, and found two global gender-based cultures. Men in both countries, compared to women, were:

  More likely to have positive attitudes towards the internet and use it more

  More likely to be self-confident about their skills using it

  More likely to use emails and chat rooms, and play computer games

  Less likely to use it for studying
• Optomist

  Include:

  More informed consumers

  Wider choices

  More participation

  Greater democracy

  More access to more information

  Global village

  Social life in interactions enhanced
• Pessimist

  Include:

  Problems with validity

  Cultural and media imperialism

  Threat to democracy

  Powerful companies

  Censorship and control

  Lack of regulation

  Commercialisation

  Less consumer choice

  More surveillance

  Undermining human relationships