The Importance of Studying New Media Use among Millennials

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 111 views

Patterns of Use of New Media among Millennial Generation: A Quantitative Descriptive Study at the University of North Sumatra

Introduction

In today's digital age, the use of new media has become an integral part of our daily lives. The millennial generation, born between the 1980s and 1990s, has grown up with technological advancements and has become increasingly dependent on new media platforms. This study aims to explore the patterns of use of new media among students of the University of North Sumatra (USU), with a focus on the intensity of use, tools used, dimensions, and motives of new media use.

The Importance of Studying New Media Use among Millennials

The millennial generation is characterized by their high level of technological literacy and their extensive use of new media platforms. Understanding the patterns of use of new media among this generation is crucial for educational institutions, policymakers, and other stakeholders to design effective programs and policies that address the challenges and opportunities caused by new media. This study provides a clear picture of how millennial students interact with new media in their daily lives, highlighting the importance of new media use in their social, academic, and personal lives.

Methodology

This study employed a descriptive quantitative approach, using a sample of 100 students from the University of North Sumatra. The population consisted of 25,295 students from 2016 to 2019. The sampling technique used was proportional stratified sampling, purposive sampling, and accidental sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire (field research) and library study (library research). The data analysis was conducted using Statistical Product and System Solution (SPSS) software version 26.0.

Results

The results of this study showed that most USU students were classified as heavy users of new media, with a duration of use exceeding 5 hours per day. Mobile devices were the most common tool used to access new media, with 100% of respondents using prepaid or postpaid cards as their main access. The study also found that 88% of students used new media as a means of communication.

Various social media platforms were used for different purposes. YouTube was primarily used for entertainment, while WhatsApp, Line, and Facebook were more widely used for social interaction and integration. Instagram was used as an entertainment platform, while Twitter was focused on information search. These findings reflect the characteristics of the millennial generation, who tend to use new media as an integral part of their social life.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The pattern of use of new media among students of the University of North Sumatra highlights significant changes in how to communicate and interact in the digital age. The millennial generation, as a group that grew together with technological advances, showed a tendency to utilize various new media platforms as the main means in establishing social relations. The dominant use of mobile phones as an access tool reflects their mobility and dependence on technology.

The existence of various motives for the use of new media shows that students not only use media as a tool to communicate, but also as a means of entertainment and sources of information. In-depth understanding of this pattern of use can help educational institutions and other stakeholders to design programs and policies that are more effective in facing challenges and opportunities caused by new media.

Implications and Recommendations

This study has several implications for educational institutions, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Firstly, it highlights the importance of new media use in the daily lives of millennial students. Secondly, it shows that new media use has both positive and negative impacts on social interaction and face-to-face communication. Therefore, it is essential for students to have greater awareness about how they use new media and its impact on their daily lives.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the patterns of use of new media among millennial students at the University of North Sumatra. The findings of this study have significant implications for educational institutions, policymakers, and other stakeholders to design effective programs and policies that address the challenges and opportunities caused by new media. Further research is needed to explore the in-depth implications of new media use on the social, academic, and personal lives of millennial students.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may not be representative of the entire population of USU students. Secondly, the study only focused on students from the University of North Sumatra, which may not be generalizable to other universities or populations. Finally, the study only explored the patterns of use of new media among millennial students, without examining the impact of new media use on their social, academic, and personal lives.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to explore the in-depth implications of new media use on the social, academic, and personal lives of millennial students. This can be achieved by conducting a longitudinal study that examines the impact of new media use on students' social interaction, academic performance, and mental health. Additionally, future research should aim to explore the differences in new media use among students from different universities, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds.

References

[List of references cited in the study]

Appendices

[Appendix 1: Questionnaire used in the study]
[Appendix 2: Data analysis procedures]
[Appendix 3: Results of the study]

Note: The above article is a rewritten version of the original content, with additional analysis, explanation, and recommendations. The article is divided into sections, with headings and subheadings to make it easier to read and understand. The article also includes a conclusion, limitations of the study, and future research directions.
Q&A: Patterns of Use of New Media among Millennial Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the main purpose of this study?

A1: The main purpose of this study is to explore the patterns of use of new media among millennial students at the University of North Sumatra, with a focus on the intensity of use, tools used, dimensions, and motives of new media use.

Q2: What is the significance of this study?

A2: This study is significant because it provides a clear picture of how millennial students interact with new media in their daily lives, highlighting the importance of new media use in their social, academic, and personal lives.

Q3: What are the key findings of this study?

A3: The key findings of this study include:

Most USU students were classified as heavy users of new media, with a duration of use exceeding 5 hours per day.
Mobile devices were the most common tool used to access new media, with 100% of respondents using prepaid or postpaid cards as their main access.
88% of students used new media as a means of communication.
Various social media platforms were used for different purposes, including entertainment, social interaction, and information search.

Q4: What are the implications of this study?

A4: The implications of this study include:

The importance of new media use in the daily lives of millennial students.
The need for educational institutions and policymakers to design effective programs and policies that address the challenges and opportunities caused by new media.
The importance of students having greater awareness about how they use new media and its impact on their daily lives.

Q5: What are the limitations of this study?

A5: The limitations of this study include:

The sample size was relatively small, which may not be representative of the entire population of USU students.
The study only focused on students from the University of North Sumatra, which may not be generalizable to other universities or populations.
The study only explored the patterns of use of new media among millennial students, without examining the impact of new media use on their social, academic, and personal lives.

Q6: What are the future research directions?

A6: Future research should aim to explore the in-depth implications of new media use on the social, academic, and personal lives of millennial students. This can be achieved by conducting a longitudinal study that examines the impact of new media use on students' social interaction, academic performance, and mental health.

Q7: What are the recommendations for educational institutions and policymakers?

A7: The recommendations for educational institutions and policymakers include:

Designing effective programs and policies that address the challenges and opportunities caused by new media.
Providing students with greater awareness about how they use new media and its impact on their daily lives.
Encouraging students to use new media in a responsible and healthy manner.

Q8: What are the implications for students?

A8: The implications for students include:

The importance of being aware of how they use new media and its impact on their daily lives.
The need to use new media in a responsible and healthy manner.
The importance of balancing new media use with other aspects of life, such as social interaction, academic performance, and mental health.

Additional Questions and Answers

Q9: What are the benefits of new media use among millennial students?

A9: The benefits of new media use among millennial students include:

Increased social interaction and connection with others.
Access to a wide range of information and resources.
Opportunities for entertainment and relaxation.
Improved academic performance and learning outcomes.

Q10: What are the risks of new media use among millennial students?

A10: The risks of new media use among millennial students include:

Addiction and excessive use.
Social isolation and decreased face-to-face interaction.
Cyberbullying and online harassment.
Decreased attention span and decreased academic performance.

Q11: How can students use new media in a responsible and healthy manner?

A11: Students can use new media in a responsible and healthy manner by:

Setting limits and boundaries for new media use.
Prioritizing face-to-face interaction and social connection.
Using new media for educational and informative purposes.
Avoiding excessive and addictive use.

Q12: What are the implications for parents and caregivers?

A12: The implications for parents and caregivers include:

Monitoring and regulating new media use among children and adolescents.
Encouraging responsible and healthy new media use.
Providing guidance and support for children and adolescents to use new media in a responsible and healthy manner.

Note: The above Q&A article is a continuation of the original article, with additional questions and answers to provide further clarification and insights into the study.