TikTok Becomes The Most Used App As A Single Source Of News
In spite of TikTok getting banned on government devices across the world, the reach and popularity for younger users is astounding. In a detailed study by the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, the results showed that in the UK younger users gravitate towards their social media apps versus their adult counterparts go to news-based sites.
Users between the ages of 16 to 24 are more likely to consume news online (83%) whereas adults contrast that practice online(68%). In addition, younger users were born into an era where news is for older people and consumed on apps. In other words, short-form videos are the hallmark of this generation while adults are more accustomed to consuming traditional media (radio, newspapers or broadcast).
When it comes to conducting research online, the contrast is significant between the two cohorts. Users between 16 to 24 years-old are less likely to visit a traditional news website (9%). Whereas adults tend to search news-based sites 26% of the time. It almost seems like news content is for older folks and video-related content is more about entertainment than important breaking news.
Social Media Outperforms As The Top Five Most Popular News Sources For 16–24-year-olds
As you might expect, social media dominate as the most heavily sought after sources. Below is their listing by rank:
- Instagram 44%
- Facebook & BBC One 33%
- Twitter 31%
- TikTok 29%
OfCom’s study showed something very illuminating for children ages 12–15-years old. As a matter of fact, TikTok is now the most used single source of news across all platforms. Here are the percentages:
- TikTok 28%
- YouTube 25%
- Instagram 25%
It almost begs the question on consuming habits and app usage. It almost feels like news agencies are forced to be present on those apps and make their content accessible via video instead of written texts. Nevertheless, fact-checking and verifying news sources needs to become mandatory as a practice for everyone to consume reliable information.
Why do I suggest this for you? because social media apps do not prioritize important news or the truth. It comes down to advertising and marketing, which is why news consumption is about critically questions content online instead of absorbing cheap entertainment.