Paradoxes in Generation Z’s Media Consumption and Fake News Perception: An International Comparative Study

Abstract

Information consumption by young audiences in the internet of algorithms has become a timely issue in the public sphere. This comparative study examines media consumption among generation Z and their perceptions of news and misinformation from an international perspective. More precisely, this article explores the types of information young people consume, the media outlets they prefer for information, whether they prefer receiving information selected by algorithms, the credibility they grant different outlets, and their reception and perception of fake news. The methodological design was based on a quantitative approach focusing on descriptive and correlational analysis. Using a questionnaire, data were collected from a total sample of 405 university students from three countries: Spain, the United States, and Portugal. The results show that, across the three counties, the sample is predominantly informed by digital media and consumes mainly information on leisure and entertainment, humor and memes, music, and news. Reportedly, fake news does not appear to be a significant factor in their information consumption. This study reveals new, paradoxical findings about media credibility and the perception of fake news among generation Z. In the three countries, subjects report that their most used media outlets for information are also the least trusted: social media and websites. There are significant differences by country regarding the extent do young people like to receive information chosen by algorithms. Overall, while the study detects significant differences across countries, it also hints at a degree of homogenization in media consumption habits worldwide.