Auswirkungen der Nachrichtenrezeption über soziale Medien auf die Zukunftsperspektive von Studierenden

(01/2025)

Abstract

In a world increasingly confronted with uncertainty and crises and characterized by constant access to information, Generation Z is at the centre of profound societal and media changes. As the first generation to grow up with digital technologies, they use social media not only for entertainment, but also to receive information. This paper analyses how young adults - specifically students of Generation Z - perceive, process and emotionally experience news via social media in comparison to traditional media. It shows how algorithms, emotional content and constant availability promote access and interest on the one hand, but can also lead to information overload, news fatigue and a feeling of powerlessness on the other. A multifaceted picture  of digital resilience is revealed in tension between digital overload and the need of orientation and security: How do some people manage to remain optimistic despite constant crisis reporting, while others consciously turn away from the news coverage? This paper aims to combine current youth studies with media theory perspectives to create a multi-layered overall picture of the news reception of a generation in transition. It is an invitation to think about how we want to stay informed in the future.