What Is New Media? Definitions & Examples

When the internet became commonplace, the way we consumed our media began to change. Streaming replaced CDs and DVDs, websites replaced newspapers, and email, in many cases, replaced letters. Social media has become a primary form of communication.

All of these are examples of new media, a form of communication that's almost exclusively digital and internet-based. We break down new media in more detail below.

What Is New Media?

New media is generally defined as media and methods of communication that are digital, primarily through the internet. This covers a wide range of media from video games to blog posts and more.

The term 'new media' emerged in the mid-'90s as the internet became more widespread and more digital media was being created. Today, new media is often accessed via:

• smartphones
• tablets
• computers
• video game consoles

Traditional vs. New Media: What's the Difference?

Traditional media refers to the types of media produced before the internet, such as:

• billboards
• radio
• newspapers
• physical books
• letters

Essentially, it was anything that was accessible without the use of the internet. New media, meanwhile, nearly always requires internet access. The internet has greatly increased the types of media available to people and also allows this new media to reach a wider audience.

Sometimes, old media can become new media. For example, paper records may become digitized, making them new media. In the same way, something can exist as both old media and new media, like a book that's available as a physical copy and as an ebook.

10 Examples of New Media

Many, many different types of new media have exploded onto the scene since the invention of the internet. We've listed several common examples of new media below.

1. Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are a great example of new media because they're a type of media that can only be used online and they're also multifaceted. Social media platforms are huge opportunities for content marketing.

Most social media sites, especially some of the older options like Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Reddit can be easily used through both web browsers and mobile apps, two very common ways people access new media.

They also allow users to do a variety of different things, including:

• sending private online messages
• creating and editing photos and videos
• posting text, photos, and videos

All of these are smaller examples of new media within a larger social media umbrella.

2. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Applications

Virtual reality and augmented reality are new media examples that we could hardly dream of before the internet. Today, there are several uses for this tech, although video games are probably the most common. Companies like Meta have been working on VR and AR for years. It's not a part of everyday life yet, but this form of new media could evolve quite a bit in the future.

3. Online Video and Streaming Services

When Netflix first arrived on the scene, streaming was still in its infancy. Today, there are dozens of streaming services and places to watch high-quality videos and movies. Most people access these streaming services through mobile apps or apps on their smart TVs. These services are also available online as websites, making these a multi-format type of new media.

4. Podcasts and Blogs

Before the internet, you'd only hear someone's opinion if they were famous or loud. Today, new media like podcasts and blogs allow individuals to reach people all over the world. Podcasts are a type of social media that's recorded, either just audio or video as well, while blog posts are written. However, unlike radio or newspapers, this new media is entirely digital.

5. Online Courses

Online courses have been around pretty much since the internet was invented. They've grown in popularity over the last decade, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic made distance learning mandatory for many students. Online courses and degree programs allow students to do their coursework entirely online. This form of new media gives students the freedom to pursue their degrees on their schedules.

6. Video Games

Video games are a form of new media that are both created digitally and dispersed digitally. Without the internet or computer technology, they wouldn't exist. Many video games don't require the internet to play; you can use a disc instead. However, to communicate with others or download new items, the internet is required.

7. Mobile Apps

When cell phones were first invented, all you could do was make phone calls. Today, people use their mobile phones for all kinds of things, like texting, using GPS, and watching TikToks. To do many of these things, you need mobile apps. Mobile apps are a form of new media that are incredibly versatile; you can make an app that does almost anything.

8. Websites

Websites, from Wikipedia to LinkedIn to Google, are a type of new media that most people use every day. Whether you're accessing websites from a computer or your phone, it's all new media. Anyone can create a website, there are websites dedicated to all sorts of things. Through websites, you can:

• find wikis for specific topics
• visit social media
• read the news
• use a search engine

9. Email and Messaging

Email and messaging are forms of communication that, along with texting, have replaced things like writing letters. This new media lets someone read your words almost instantly. New media like email and messaging can be used for personal things or it can be used for things like school and business. This makes it an incredibly valuable type of new media.

10. Ebooks

There are plenty of people who love their physical books, but ebooks have several advantages. These include portability and convenience. Print media will likely never go away entirely. However, new media like ebooks give people multiple ways to enjoy their media.

The Four Pillars of New Media

There are four key pillars of new media. These are digital technology, social networking, multimedia content, and real-time access. We've given brief explanations of these below.

1. Digital Technology

Digital technology is a key component of new media. It's how most of new media is made and consumed. New media technologies include things like smartphones and laptops, as well as tablets and video game systems. These all allow users to access other forms of new media.

2. Social Networking

While social networking sites aren't the only component of new media, they are a big one. These sites allow people to connect with others across the world. The advent of social media also changed the way advertising worked. Social media marketing is vastly different than things like billboards and commercials.

3. Multimedia Content

Multimedia content refers to using different media elements within your digital content. This can include:

• text
• photos
• videos
• animations
• GIFS

Social media sites are just one example of a type of new media that utilizes multimedia content. On these sites, you can upload or post things like photos and videos for people to see.

4. Real-Time Access

One aspect of new media that not everyone loves is real-time access. New media allows people to be accessible anytime, anywhere. While this can be good for some, it's not always healthy to be on new media 24/7. Nevertheless, the ability to access new media at any time is a major component of this type of media.

The Future of Media: Innovations and Trends

It's hard to say exactly what the future of new media looks like. Right now, things are trending toward a greater usage of AI, which has its benefits and its downsides. Regardless, new media will continue to evolve and change. As a result, the industry is in high demand and can be a great place for creative people.