New media can be defined as any communication channel that came about with the emergence of the internet. Often, this involves the capability of users to interact with and create their own content. Some common new media examples include:1
- All social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- Spotify
- YouTube
- Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
- Podcasts
- Email
 | When discussing new media, Dr. Craig Detweiler, Dean of the College of Arts and Media at GCU, adds that one major component of new media is that it is “almost always available and depends upon the audience to pull the stories toward them.” This is one key factor that differentiates new media from traditional media — the ability to access it instantaneously and from almost anywhere. |
The rise of new media has changed the way that stories are created, shared and consumed. As Dr. Detweiler notes, “There were previously more gatekeepers deciding who was allowed into the media marketplace,” but today, the democratization of digital tools means anyone can publish content, from recording a song to producing a film. He adds that this shift has “resulted in tech companies dominating the marketplace, serving as the aggregators of millions of storytellers (like on YouTube or TikTok),” making visibility both easier and more competitive than ever before.
In addition, Dr. Detweiler warns that “filter bubbles have arisen, where algorithms increasingly send us what they think we’re interested in,” which can reinforce biases and spread misinformation by limiting exposure to counteractive, diverse perspectives. This means that as new media consumers, we all have the responsibility of ensuring we scrutinize our content choices and question our algorithms. Dr. Detweiler supports this, sharing that “new media can easily feel overwhelming if we don’t edit and curate our choices wisely.”
