Young adults want less election news

EVANSTON, Ill., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. young adults say there is too much election-related news on Internet news sites, a university study indicates.

The survey by the Northwestern University's Media Management Center found that many young Americans turn from online news sources because they say they feel overwhelmed by the amount of information about the election.

"To serve and attract this important group, news organizations need to develop online election resources that are specifically designed to minimize this 'too much' sensation," said Michael Smith, executive director of the Media Management Center.

The report, based on an in-depth study of 89 Chicago-area adults ages 17 to 22 found that while the demographic is interested in the elections and wants information about the candidates and issues, they aren't interested in following day-to-day campaign developments.

"This group is selective about how it spends its time," said Vivian Vahlberg, MMC managing director. "Our report provides news organizations that want to compete for the time and attention of millennials with a better understanding of their news needs, preferences and habits."