The BBCs youth news brand Newsbeat, which is broadcast on Radio 1, has launched its first mobile app, aimed at keeping younger people up to date with the news that matters to them while they are on the go.

Mobile is becoming the most important news channel, especially among young people. Over half of 16-24 year olds say that their smartphone is their preferred device to access news on, while on the morning of the UK General Election results, 85 per cent of BBC News traffic came via mobile.

The free Newsbeat app is part of a rebranding by the news service, which redesigned its website in April this year with a focus on stories affecting young people, as well as entertainment news, social trends and interviews.

Stories on the app are arranged in categories, including latest news, most popular, music, entertainment, tech, sport and “You What?” – strange and unusual stories from around the world.

The app also enables users to share stories, video clips and other content via social media and email, and provides users with behind the scenes news from Radio 1 and 1 Xtra, the BBCs youth-focused radio stations.

“Newsbeat is the best place for young adults to get their news,” said Louisa Compton, editor of Newsbeat. “The new app will make it even easier for our audience to get the news thats important and relevant to them at the touch of a button.

“Well focus on the news we know our audience care about and present it in an accessible way – be it our own original stories on issues that affect 16 to 24 year olds, entertainment news or what everyone is talking about online.”