There may be a lot separating today’s youth and older adults, but when it comes to how we consume news, South Africans across most generations follow the same consumption patterns.
This is according to Effective Measure’s Generational Lifestyles in South Africa Report 2017, which looks into the lifestyle habits of South Africans born between 1945 and 1996.
The habits explored include internet use, mobile habits, household composition and financial trends of 2 941 individuals surveyed online. Age groups are categorised in the following generational groups:
- Generation Z – born in 1996 and above
- Millenials – born between 1978 and 1995
- Generation X – born between 1965 and 1977
- Baby Boomers – born between 1946 and 1964
- Silent Generation – born before 1945
News consumption
“Print is dying”, a three-word sentence that’s grown more popular as the internet slowly takes over. However, you’d be mistaken to think that only younger generations are spear-heading its growth.
For now, TV and radio are still the biggest source of news for all generations surveyed, but according to the survey, the Silent Generation accessed their news online more than any other group.
Generation Z consumed the most news on social media, while Millennials, Baby Boomers and Generation X consumed the most on radio.
When asked what they use the internet for the most, Silent Generation mostly read news, Generation Z and Millenials mostly did info searches, while Baby Boomers and Generation X mostly shop.
You can download the full Generational Lifestyles in South Africa Report 2017 from Effective Measure.
