Introduction

Coronavirus lockdown has unfortunately forced us to, well, get locked in our own homes. Rather than spending your spring and summer break by soaking in the sun by the beach, all we’re doing is media consumption and wondering about the times we were lucky enough to enjoy a meal at a restaurant.

With nothing else to do, people all over the globe have turned to the media for entertainment and distraction before they get bored out of their minds.

This article sheds light on how media consumption across each generation has grown ever since the pandemic started. There are some eye-opening insights that make us realize just how much we depend on different forms of media.

More Time to Kill

Global Web Index reported that over 80% of consumers in the US and UK have consumed more content since the Coronavirus outbreak. This was expected as there’s not so much we can do locked in our own homes. TV and online videos (Youtube, the ever-famous TikTok) are where most of the 80% of people are headed to, regardless of gender or generation.

As expected, 68% of consumers are searching for pandemic related updates, making this activity rank higher than any other. Gen Zers, however, marches to the beat of their own drum as they are more interested in listening to music rather than the news.

It’s not surprising that the younger generation chose to spend their free time entertaining themselves by playing games either on their mobile or computer. All this time has also encouraged the Millenials to discover their inner cooks as we can see that they are actively searching for cooking recipes.

Leaning on a Pillar of Trust

As reported in the graphic, all generations trust the world health organization the most when it comes to any information or updates related to COVID-19. This rings true for U.S customers, as Uk customers tend to see the government as their most trusted news source.

Radio and news websites take the lead rather than social media and word-of-mouth, as people are more likely official sources rather than news generated by their social circle.

The Need for Pandemic Positivity

In the quest to stay aware of the coronavirus and staying updated, it’s getting hard to maintain a healthy and positive attitude in this situation, and understandably so.

Thankfully, we have platforms like Netflix, and Disney+, the two most sought after platforms ever since the coronavirus lockdown. As you can see from the infographic below, almost one-third of Gen Zers have invested in these services for the first time.



So, media consumption has drastically increased. This has caused people to worry about their screen time as well as their families. Fortunately, research has suggested that the screen time is not a cause for concern. Instead, it’s what we’re watching that can have a significant impact on our already fragile mental health because of the coronavirus.

Regardless of the content we’re watching, the fact remains that every generation has turned to their devices for comfort and news, be it video games, movies, or reading informational blogs on the COVID-19, everybody is busy online one way or the other.

Keeping this in mind, it’s a huge opportunity for media companies and platforms to engage their audience because everybody is on the internet these days. One example of this is how Netflix has capitalized on the situation and has already come out with shows related to the coronavirus.

It’s vital to have a healthy mindset in these challenging times, so make sure to spend time with your family at home or through online video chats to stay in touch with your friends so you can maintain your sanity.