Distinctive characteristics of new media

New media, driven by digital technology and the internet, have transformed how information is accessed and shared. Unlike traditional printed media such as newspapers and books, new media possess unique features that have reshaped communication and engagement.

Key features of new media

• Accessibility - Digital platforms, particularly the internet, allow content to be shared rapidly, widely, and often at no cost, making information more available than ever before.
• Convergence - A single digital device, such as a smartphone, can access various types of media content like music, news, and e-books, combining multiple functions into one tool.
• User control - Audiences now have greater influence over their media consumption, with streaming and catch-up services enabling choices about what to watch and when.
• Interactivity - Engagement with media is more direct, as audiences can interact through social platforms by contacting shows, voting in live events, or commenting online.

Debates on whether new media are revolutionary or evolutionary

Sociologists hold differing views on the impact of new media, debating whether they represent a groundbreaking shift or merely a progression from existing technologies.

Arguments for new media as revolutionary

• Transformative impact - Some believe new media fundamentally alter cultures, economies, and personal behaviours, such as changing attitudes towards privacy through widespread sharing on social platforms.

Arguments for new media as evolutionary

• Cornford and Robins (1999) perspective - These sociologists argue that new media evolved from pre-existing technologies, like the reliance on phone lines for internet access in earlier times.
• Limited novelty - They suggest that interactivity isn't unique to new media, as traditional formats like newspaper letters pages already allowed audience input, with only the speed of communication being truly new.

Evolutionary impact on existing media - Boyle and Haynes (2004) study on sports media

• Method - Investigated the effect of mobile phones and early high-speed internet on football media coverage.
• Results - Found that mobile technology didn't replace traditional broadcasting like television but added supplementary viewing options.
• Conclusions - Integration of new media with existing formats was a gradual, evolutionary process rather than a sudden overhaul.

Variations in new media use by age, location, and consumer power

Access to and engagement with new media are not uniform across populations, with significant differences influenced by demographic and geographic factors.

Patterns of new media usage

• Age differences - Younger individuals are the most frequent users of new media. A survey from 2015 indicated that of around 9.9 million UK residents who had never used the internet, only 300,000 were aged between 16 and 24.
• Growth among older users - Usage among those over 65 is rising, with a 2015 study showing the proportion using smartphones for internet access doubled from 2012 to 2015.
• Geographic disparities - Location impacts access, as rural areas often lack the infrastructure for high-speed broadband or reliable mobile internet signals like 3G or 4G.

The concept of a digital underclass

Limited access to new media can lead to social exclusion, creating a group unable to fully participate in modern society due to digital barriers.

Factors contributing to a digital underclass

• Economic exclusion - Individuals in poverty often cannot afford broadband subscriptions or digital devices, restricting their access to essential online services like voting registration or passport applications.
• Rural isolation - People in remote areas face challenges due to inadequate internet infrastructure, with poor signal coverage and outdated wiring hindering connectivity.
• Social consequences - Lack of digital access prevents full participation in societal functions, forming a digital underclass that struggles to engage with increasingly online-dependent systems.

Attitudes towards new media and their societal impact

Opinions on new media's role in society vary widely, with perspectives broadly categorised into two groups by Curran and Seaton (2003): cultural pessimists and neophiliacs. These views shape debates on whether new media are beneficial or detrimental.

Cultural pessimists' negative views on new media

• Corporate control - New media are often dominated by large multinational corporations such as Microsoft® and News Corp, whose global influence can shape consumer behaviour.
• State surveillance - Government control over digital spaces reduces privacy, as seen in revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013 about state security accessing personal communications.
• Social costs of consumerism - Benefits like online shopping come with downsides, as some retailers face criticism for tax avoidance and worker exploitation to maintain low prices and fast delivery.
• Spread of harmful content - The open nature of the internet allows the dissemination of offensive material, including misogynistic, racist, and extremist views.

Neophiliacs' positive views on new media

• Enhanced consumer choice - Technological advancements expand options, with online platforms enabling price comparisons and access to global products through advertisements on social networks.
• Information sharing and democracy - Greater access to diverse opinions online fosters a more democratic society by exposing people to varied perspectives.
• Global cultural connection - Innovations like satellite television allow access to international content, creating shared cultural experiences through popular shows.

Debate on the democratic nature of new media

• Breaking cultural hegemony - Some argue that new media challenge dominant cultural narratives by providing platforms like blogging sites and video-sharing services for anyone to express their views globally.
• Concerns over content quality - Cultural pessimist Andrew Keen (2007) counters that crowd-produced media, such as online encyclopaedias, while democratic, often lack quality due to unchecked, poorly informed contributions replacing professional content.