Exploring Gen Z's User Experience with Digital Newspapers: An Exploratory Study. Generation Z (Gen Z), born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, is a digitally native group that has been interacting with technology from a young age. This exploratory study investigates Gen Z's user experience with digital newspapers, focusing on Saudi Arabian users. Specifically, it looks at how participants from Generation Z in Saudi Arabia engage with Sabq, a prominent digital news outlet in the region. Utilizing screen recording technology, we captured real-time user interactions to gain insights into the usability of Sabq's digital interface, its content accessibility, engagement levels, and the impact of multimedia elements on their reading experience. Our findings highlight several important points. Gen Z users in Saudi Arabia (SA) prioritize intuitive design, quick access to relevant information, and interactive features that enhance their engagement with digital newspapers. However, many participants faced challenges due to the digital newspapers’ unfamiliar design, which required considerable time to navigate effectively. This indicates a need for better alignment between the design of digital newspapers and the expectations of Saudi Gen Z users. We also provide practical recommendations for digital newspaper publishers aiming to reach Generation Z (Gen Z) audiences in Saudi Arabia (SA). These suggestions involve simplifying interface design, optimizing content delivery, and leveraging technology to create a more intuitive and personalized reading experience. By addressing these challenges, media outlets can more effectively engage Saudi Gen Z audiences and adapt to the changing landscape of digital news consumption in the region.

Authors:
Eman Alkhomees, La Trobe University, Australia

About the Presenter(s)
Ms EMAN ALKHOMEES is a University Doctoral Student at La Trobe University in Australia

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