Infotulvassa

Infotulvassa is a Finnish term used to describe the condition of living in a digital information environment characterized by rapid, continuous streams of content from multiple channels—news sites, social media, messaging apps, and advertisements—that compete for attention. The word combines information (info) with tulva (flood) and the suffix -ssa, indicating being within the flood.

Origins and usage: The term appears in Finnish public discourse from the 2010s onward and is used by journalists, educators, and scholars to discuss information overload and the challenges of maintaining focus, trust, and discernment in a media-saturated society. It conveys a sense of pervasive ubiquity rather than a single source of information.

Characteristics and contexts: Infotulvassa is associated with high information volume, rapid update cycles, and fragmented consumption patterns across platforms. It often involves algorithmic personalization, cross-platform multitasking, and cognitive strain when evaluating credibility, relevance, and novelty. The concept is commonly applied to discussions of news habits, digital learning, and organizational communication.

Implications and coping: The state can affect memory, attention, and decision making, contributing to fatigue and skepticism toward information sources. Coping strategies include media literacy training, deliberate information diets, source verification, bookmarking and curation practices, and organizational or individual routines that limit constant connectivity.

Status and related terms: Infotulvassa is primarily a descriptive term within Finnish-language media and information studies. It is not a formal international concept, and its translations vary. Related ideas include information overload, attention economy, filter bubbles, and digital literacy. See also: information overload; attention economy; media literacy; filter bubble.