It’s a few weeks before the 2024 UK General Election, and I’m catching up with friends when one of them turns to me and asks, “Tom, you study Politics, who should I vote for?” It’s an innocent question, but also a stark and unsettling one. It’s a snapshot of a bigger problem: Gen Z is drifting away from traditional news outlets and diving headfirst into the wild, unregulated world of social media for information.
Research from Channel 4 shows that young people are now trusting friends and influencers as much, if not more, than established journalists. This isn’t just a shift in habits, it’s a seismic change in how news is consumed, and it’s raising serious questions about the future of information.
Clare Harris, a 21-year-old Loughborough student, says the majority of the news she consumes comes from TikTok or Instagram, “It’s just where I spend my time. I know it’s not always reliable, but it’s quick and easy. I don’t really watch the news or read newspapers, it feels too heavy.”
A 2024 Ofcom report laid it bare: 90% of 16–24-year-olds in the UK get their news from social media. TikTok has become the go-to news source, overtaking newspapers and TV. Short, snappy videos are hugely popular, and traditional formats are struggling to keep up. Even the BBC, still the most widely accessed news organisation, has had to adapt, pushing its content on TikTok and Instagram to stay relevant.
Social media has undeniably made news more accessible. It’s given a megaphone to independent journalists, activists, and voices often ignored by mainstream media. Movements like Black Lives Matter have thrived on these platforms, spreading information at lightning speed. Real-time updates and creative formats have also drawn in people who’d perhaps never sit through a 10-minute news segment.
But with very little regulation, social media has become a breeding ground for misinformation. Earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta would ditch its independent fact-checking system on Instagram and Facebook, replacing it with ‘community notes’, a model borrowed from Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). This shift came after backlash from Republicans, including Donald Trump, who accused Meta of silencing right-wing voices.
The problem? Handing fact-checking to users risks amplifying false information, especially when algorithms prioritise engagement over accuracy. And for Gen Z, who relies heavily on these platforms for news, the stakes are high. Algorithms thrive on divisive, emotionally charged content, often drowning out credible reporting and spreading conspiracy theories. The UK government has even warned that the rise of “hateful extremist content online” is driving more young men toward violent extremism.
Channel 4’s research into Gen Z’s views paints a worrying picture. Over half (52%) believe the UK would be better off with a strong leader who bypasses Parliament and elections, while 45% of Gen Z men think promoting women’s equality has gone too far; to the point of discriminating against men. These findings suggest that the content young people are consuming is shaping some concerning views.
On top of that, Gen Z tends to avoid heavy, ‘depressing’ topics, preferring lighter news like sports and pop culture. Many feel overwhelmed by the constant barrage of political coverage, leading to news fatigue. The result? A generation that might be missing out on critical issues shaping their future.
Furthermore, Artificial intelligence can now generate eerily realistic fake news articles, videos, and audio, making it harder than ever to separate fact from fiction. A BBC study found that AI-generated news summaries often contain “significant inaccuracies,” and the technology can even amplify biases baked into algorithms.
So, what’s the solution? Reliable fact-checking is more important than ever. Campaigners are calling for stricter regulation of AI and for algorithms to prioritise public service media, ensuring young people receive credible information. Traditional news outlets also need to adapt, embracing podcasts, short-form content, and social media to stay relevant. As Liat Feinman-Adelman, a lead researcher behind the Next Gen News study, puts it: “If publishers want to stay relevant, they must meet Gen Z where they are.”
But it’s not just up to the platforms and publishers, we all have a role to play. Fact-checking, recognising bias, and seeking out diverse sources are essential skills in the age of digital noise. So, in a world where the lines between fact and fiction are increasingly blurred, it is more important than ever to make sure we are equipped to make informed decisions.
Photo was downloaded from Unsplash
Edited by Callum Lee
