Millennials of all races apparently get their news from Facebook

Millennials get their news from Facebook, regardless of race
(Image credit: iStock)

There is no serious "digital divide" between black, white, and Hispanic millennials in the U.S., according to a new Associated Press/NORC poll. In all, 64 percent of U.S. millennials — people age 18 to 34 — regularly read or watch news online, including 66 percent of African-Americans, 65 percent of whites, and 53 percent of Hispanics. Nearly all millennials have a smartphone, and half reported using a tablet, the poll found.

"What we've seen is millennials' similarities are much greater than the differences people thought that there were going to be," said Tom Rosenstiel, executive director of the Associated Press Institute. When it comes to online habits and access, he said, "we've created new common ground."

There are some differences, according to the survey: The most common online activity for black respondents was streaming music or TV/movies, versus using email for white millennials and keeping up with friends for Hispanic respondents. When it came to getting their news, the millennials said they rely heavily on Facebook: 57 percent get news from Facebook at least once a day, 81 percent at least once a week, and they often seek out non-traditional news sources. Traditional news sites get at least one bone, AP says: "Hispanics and African-Americans are just as likely as any millennials to have a paid news subscription." How likely is that? AP didn't say.

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You can read more about the findings with The Associated Press.

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Peter Weber

Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.