ABSTRACT
Generation Alpha is growing up in an environment dominated by digital visual platforms, where short video formats and constant online connectivity shape their media behaviour. In this context, media such as radio remain less examined. The aim of this study is to analyse the position of radio and audio in the media behaviour patterns of Generation Alpha, while also examining the relationship between these formats and the development of media competences. The theoretical background is based on an analysis of current international research focusing on children’s media consumption, audio content, and media literacy, which serves as an interpretative framework for the empirical part of the study. Empirical data were collected through a questionnaire survey conducted among pupils in the first stage of their primary education. The questionnaire focused on the frequency of audio listening, perceptions of radio, and preferences between linear and on-demand audio content. The results show that although radio is not among the dominant media in children’s everyday media use, audio content is nevertheless perceived as an understandable and less distracting medium. Children prefer it during shared family activities and also use it while performing parallel activities. Furthermore, the findings indicate a relationship between the frequency of audio listening, the ability to concentrate, and a better comprehension of media content. In conclusion, radio and audio formats represent a promising, yet insufficiently explored part of Generation Alpha’s media environment. The results open space for further research, which should focus on children’s listening competences, multimodal content processing, and the long-term relationships between audio use and the development of media literacy.
KEY WORDS
Audio. Generation Alpha. Media Competences. Media Literacy. Podcast. Radio.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.34135/mlar-26-01-11
Media Behaviour of Generation Alpha with a Focus on Audio © 2026 by Sláva Gracová, Martin Graca, Mária Greifová,
UCM Trnava is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.