Overwhelmed by instant access to news and information? Most
Americans like it
“Information overload” may be an exaggerated way to describe
today’s always-on media environment. Actually, very few Americans seem to feel
bogged down or overwhelmed by the volume of news and information at their
fingertips and on their screens, according to a new Northwestern University
study.
The study was published in the journal The Information
Society.
“Little research has focused on information overload and
media consumption, yet it’s a concept used in public discussions to describe
today’s 24/7 media environment,” said Eszter Hargittai, an associate professor
of communication studies at Northwestern and lead author of the study.