To shed light on how different generations are "consuming" media - and what their future media preferences are likely to be - Deloitte LLP's Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice commissioned an extensive survey on the evolving role of media in America. This State of the Media Democracy survey offers a generational reality check on the usage of current media platforms/devices and what the future may hold.

The survey results provide keen insights into the different generations and their media consumption habits. The summary below is a small sampling of the numerous trends and data points the survey revealed.

• Millennials are leading the way, embracing new technologies, games, entertainment platforms, user-generated content and communication tools - creating a "trickle up" effect where the older generations are learning from them. Millennials have an affinity for "traditional" media, such as print publications and television. When Millennials find something they like, they broadcast it, and the power of their amplification is extensive. The Millennials surveyed maintain large instant messaging (IM) and texting lists that average 37 people, compared with just 17 for the entire sample. According to the survey, word of mouth is the most common reason for Millennials to visit a Web site, followed by an ad on television. Almost half (48 percent) visit television Web sites in a typical week.

• Generations Xers enjoyed the explosion of new entertainment in their youth and continue to embrace entertainment today. They are the most interested in general lifestyle/personal interest information, including celebrity and entertainment news. They are also most likely to be visiting television show Internet sites.

• Baby Boomers are in their peak earning years and are entering their empty nesting life stage - retirement is still a few years away but certainly on their radar screens. Boomers are still very dependent on newspapers and spend the most time with local news and weather content. They do spend a lot of time on the Internet, but do not match the younger generations as far as embracing the new media platforms.

• The Matures spend the most time with national and world news content, as well as financial information. Not surprisingly, Matures are the most likely to embrace print media. However, there is a significant percentage of Matures embracing electronic media, as well as participating in electronic forms of communication and user-generated content.