They use these platforms to search for things on Google. Spend countless hours While some social media platforms have been a breeding ground for fake information, deepfakes, and security concerns, Gen Z also turns to them for news.
Take TikTok for example: the Chinese-owned short-video platform has been banned on Government agencies In the UK it could face a potential ban over security concerns in the US and has also been linked to misleading information about the election in the past.
However, the app has gained “increasing popularity as a news source” among around 11% of UK adults – up from just 1% in 2020.
Among teens ages 12 to 15, in particular, TikTok’s reach for news is higher than YouTube and Instagram’s, New Communications Office Data released on Tuesday showed.
The report, which categorizes Gen Z as teens aged 12 to 15 and adults aged 16 to 24, said online platforms — whether a newspaper website or social media — appear to be the preferred source. Among older Gen Zers, TikTok was ranked as the “most important source of news.” Facebook, Instagram and Twitter also took the top spots.
The growing interest in news consumption via TikTok could be worrying given that the platform has been in the crosshairs of regulators recently. About Content SafetySocial media can seem like the Wild West with the rise of misinformation and deepfakes.
But online news enthusiasts are also aware of the risks of social media, ranking it lower in accuracy and integrity. Even among digital sources, search engines like Google are seen as more reliable than social media platforms.
A major shift in the paradigm
That’s right — the generation of digital natives, who have had technology at their fingertips since day one, is shaking up old practices. And TikTok is just one small part of a paradigm shift in how we consume and share news.
Last year, the UK Office for National Statistics announced it would change its data collection methods because millennials and Gen Z are no longer answering the phone and are using Google less to search for answers, turning instead to platforms like TikTok.
Similar trends have been observed in the United States, where many adults find news On social media Sites like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
People appreciate that social media offers a range of opinions and is more tailored to personal interests. It is also a quick way to find news, especially on lighter topics that younger Gen Z is drawn to.
Ofcom’s data highlights a stark contrast between how Gen Z, whether at school, university or about to enter the workforce, consume news compared to older people. Around 85% of Gen X and baby boomers (Ofcom’s category of “over 55s”) still rely primarily on TV, although they are showing signs of adapting to online formats.
Even if traditional media forms are no longer widely used, they still rank higher in terms of trust among all age groups.
“Television has dominated people’s news habits since the 1960s, and it remains very trustworthy,” said Yeh Chong-Teh, Ofcom’s director of strategy and research, in a statement. “But we are seeing a generational shift towards online news.”
Ofcom’s 2024 survey involved more than 5,400 interviews between November 2023 and March 2024.
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