Mobile news are becoming more and more common. This has wider consequences regarding news consumption than what is usually acknowledged, states a new report by Johanna Dunaway of Texas A&M University.

By 2020, mobile use will cover two-thirds of all online activity. News organizations are constantly reaching a wider audience through mobile devices.

The report sees some problems with the increase of mobile. Firstly, mobile technology – due to connection speeds, smaller screens etc. – reduces news seeking and engagement. “It’s not a news-friendly platform”, Dunaway states.

On the other hand, news consumption varies a lot by different users. Dedicated news consumers spend a lot of time using news apps. The uninterested majority of mobile users only consume mobile news briefly. Regarding political news, the uninterested “are shying aways from news, and know less”, the report states. The “mobile revolution” therefore  presents new challenges to both news organizations and to democracy and government.

You can read the full report “Mobile vs. Computer: Implications for News Audiences and Outlets” published by the Shorenstein Center from their website.

Original image: News Apps by Wesley Fryer, license CC BY-SA 2.0, modified