by Margarida Maneta and Mariana Muller, Lusófona University, CICANT, Portugal.
How much do young people aged 15 to 24 in Portugal know about algorithms? How do they acquire this knowledge? What about traditional media, such as television? How do young people in Portugal in this age group engage with television, and what role does it play in their media routines? These questions are explored in two new publications from the YouNDigital project, based at Lusófona University/CICANT (Portugal).
The article “Young People Learning About Algorithms: Five Profiles Spanning From Ineptitude to Enchantment”, published in the journal Media and Communication, was authored by researchers Maria José Brites, Teresa Sofia Castro, Mariana S. Müller, and Margarida Maneta. The study identifies five profiles of young people based on their understanding and ways of learning about algorithms.
The analysis highlights strategies young people (15-24) use to navigate the influence of algorithms, with a notable emphasis on learning within various close proximity contexts. Many young people reported self-learning through social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Instagram, or gaining knowledge from family and peers. In contrast, few participants identified schools as a source of learning, which were almost absent as educational environments for this topic.
The researchers argue that this gap underscores the need for a more structured and institutionalised approach to algorithm literacy.
The article “Beyond News Consumption: Television’s Role Among Younger Audiences in Portugal”, authored by Mariana S. Müller, was published in the journal Media & Jornalismo. This study presents a qualitative analysis that categorizes young people (15-24) into distinct profiles based on their relationship with television.
The findings reveal a complex media landscape where television remains relevant but with transformed roles—shifting from a traditional news source to a platform for streaming content. The study demonstrates that young audiences’ engagement with television is influenced by family dynamics, educational backgrounds, and an increasing preference for digital platforms. This shift reflects a move towards more personalized and interactive forms of media consumption. This article is part of a special issue of the journal Media & Jornalismo, titled Young People’s Perspectives on the World Around Them and Contexts of Digital Citizenship, edited by Maria José Brites, Teresa Sofia Castro, and Paloma Contreras-Pulido. The issue brings together articles from diverse regions, exploring youth and digital citizenship.
Both papers are available in open access:
“Young People Learning About Algorithms: Five Profiles Spanning From Ineptitude to Enchantment” +info
“Beyond News Consumption: Television’s Role Among Younger Audiences in Portugal” +info
The YouNDigital newsroom aims to promote the participatory action of young people, committed to an active, critical, and responsible civic attitude. It is open to the participation of young people from all over the world, recognizing that diversity can enhance intercultural dialogue and the sharing of diverse viewpoints. +info
This year the YouNDigital project has released a public online database focused on youth, news and digital citizenship that comprises literature from the beginning of the 21st century. Our database is always open to contributions, you can do it here. We also invite you to subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated with all the latest news.
YouNDigital – Youth, News and Citizenship (DOI 10.54499/PTDC/COM-OUT/0243/2021) is a research project based in Lusófona University, CICANT, Portugal, and funded by The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The initiative is pioneering studying the link between young people, news, and their digital citizenship, seeking to understand these fluid dynamics in a society challenged by algorithms, and facilitating training in the area. The project is coordinated by Maria José Brites (CICANT, Lusófona University) and Teresa Sofia Castro (CICANT, Lusófona University).
Authors
Margarida Maneta, Research Team, Lusófona University, CICANT, Portugal.
Mariana Muller, Research Team, Lusófona University, CICANT, Portugal
