Google Generation II: web behaviour experiments with the BBC

The purpose of this paper is to report on continuing research undertaken on the way the Google Generation behave on the internet and to compare this with an earlier highly publicised study by the paper's authors.

This research use a televised practical experiment and a remote web global test incorporating search, working memory and multi‐tasking experiments.

The Google Generation appears to behave very differently from older generations. By their own admission they are less confident about their searching prowess and this is also demonstrated by the fact that they viewed fewer pages, visited fewer domains and undertook fewer searches. Also, tellingly, their search statements were much more the product of cut and paste. The Google Generation also have poorer working memories and are less competent at multi‐tasking, both of which may have implications for researching in an online environment.

The paper introduces of multi‐tasking and cognitive measurement in evaluating and describing information‐seeking behaviour; comparing the web behaviour of young and old; the first time this has been shown on public television.