The impact of the internet on media audiences

The impact of the internet on media audiences

• 1.
  The impact ofthe internet on media audiences (A brief) research task by Danielle Duffy For my A2 Media exam study
• 2.
  The extent ofchange in audience behaviour We see the decrease in popularity of older methods of consuming media such as MP3 and DVD players as more developed technology comes out and older technologies become outdated and obsolete. This suggests that the audience is taking on a more active role – they now have a wider choice of methods they can use to consume media. Increased competition amongst institutions.
• 3.
  The extent ofchange in audience behaviour Steady rise in use of technology by even adult audiences, shows the ability of new media technology to appeal to and benefit all audiences. This shows that the media is effectively persuading audiences to invest in new technology.
• 4.
  Audience groups affected/unaffected bythe change • “In 2016, eight in ten (81%) UK adults aged 16+ said they had broadband internet access at home, and 87% of UK adults aged 16+ said they used the internet either at home or in other locations” • As the times moves on, the internet has been developing to increase its accessibility more widely, with shops such as Costa adapting to offer its customers free Wi-Fi in the store • “Around one in twenty UK adults (6%) only use a smartphone to go online, an increase from 3% in 2015.”
• 5.
  Audience groups affected/unaffected bythe change • “97% of 16-24s say they use the internet, compared to 42% of those aged 75+” • Therefore, arguably the internet has had the most impact on the lives of the new generation (teenagers and young adults) • Oppositely, the older generation technically aren’t as swayed by the new technology, lacking the ability to understand and appreciate the world of the online, shown by the contrasting figures • The internet has become much more widely accessible and dominant in our lives – with 81% of us having purchased a Wi- Fi system for our homes so that we may enjoy online browsing and the use of electronic devices etc.
• 6.
  Issues • The internethas resulted in new issues posing a threat to netizens, one of these being privacy issues • It isn’t uncommon that someone’s account might get hacked, putting their information and finances at risk • Perhaps we aren’t careful enough and this can lead to malicious people and viruses taking advantage of us • “Four in ten internet users (42%) say they use the same passwords for most, if not all websites” • Therefore the internet has arguably invented new forms of crime • Other issues associated with the internet is the spreading of harmful or disturbing content, including cyber-bullying
• 7.
  Other impacts • Audiencesare able to consume media on a wider variety of devices • Rise of prosumers • Less restrictions (link to long tail theory) – time is less of an issue, isn’t as dictating as before • Unwanted spam and advertisements • Distracting, addictive – causes children to lack socially, and often become insecure due to content they are exposed to online • Older technology becoming obsolete and outdated
• 8.
  Source link • https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/6395 0/Internet-use-and-attitudes-2016.pdf/(Ofcom, 2016)