A recent study from Digital News Report reveals that 54% of Americans now rely on social media and video platforms, like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, for their news. That’s more than those who turn to traditional TV (50%) or news websites and apps (48%).
Once known mostly for selfies and memes, social media has now become a central hub for breaking news. But is this shift helping or hurting the way Americans stay informed?
Is social media really a main source of news in the U.S? Let’s dive into the article to find out.
The Rise Of Social Media As a News Source
Social media is now one of the easiest ways to access news, and guess who it matters a lot to? For younger generations.
Technology is growing, so is the number of young people using platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube just to stay updated.
A report by Pew Research Centre also confirms that one-third of people aged 18 to 24 say social media is their main source of news, more than those who rely on websites, TV, or newspapers combined. Platforms like TikTok are becoming go-to spots for breaking stories. And do you know what’s more interesting? Many teens and young adults trust the news shared by influencers, YouTubers, and celebrities, and that too without question.
- Social media has helped young people:
- Join conversations
- Raise awareness
- Support protests and social movements
But there is a downside to it as well. As you know, information spreads so fast, it’s easy for fake or misleading news to go viral, too, especially when shared by popular online personalities.
Top Platforms for News
According to a global study, 54% of Americans get their news from social media, while 46% of people in the UK avoid the news the most.
“The rise of social media and personality-based news is not unique to the United States, but changes seem to be happening faster – and with more impact – than in other countries,” a report found. (report by author Nic Newman)
Here’s a breakdown of where Americans are turning for news on social media (based on multiple surveys):
| Platform | % of Users Getting News |
| 20% | |
| TikTok | 17% |
| X (Twitter) | 12% |
| 8% | |
| Snapchat | 5% |
| 5% | |
| 4% | |
| Truth Social | 3% |
| Rumble | 2% |
Joe Rogan’s Role in Social Media News
According to the 2025 Digital News Report, only half of respondents watched TV, while 48% viewed news websites or apps.
The change was driven by young people, as half of Americans aged 25 to 34 and 54% of those aged 18 to 24 cited social media and video platforms as their “main” news sources.
The US and Brazil saw the biggest shift toward social media, with 34% and 35% of respondents, respectively, referring to it as their “main” news source. The UK, France, Denmark, and Japan were next in line.
Individual online influencers, most of them right-leaning, are also reaching large numbers of news consumers, the report found.
More than one-fifth of US respondents said they had seen podcaster Joe Rogan discuss the news during the week following US President Donald Trump’s inauguration, while 12-14 percent encountered Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens or Ben Shapiro, according to the report.
How to Deal with False Information on Social Media
Despite the rise of social media as news, the major concern remains the same: “fact-check and misinformation”.
But Gen Z is smarter, and they have some of the best ways to fight it. Here is how you can do it too:
Here are key tips for fighting misinformation on social media:
- Pause before sharing – Take a moment to consider the accuracy of content before posting.
- Think about your audience – People are less likely to spread falsehoods when they know their audience is informed.
- Use fact-checking labels – Trusted labels can guide others to verify before believing or resharing.
- Engage in counterspeech – Politely correct misinformation with facts and sources.
- Learn to prebunk – Understand common misinformation tactics ahead of time to spot them early.
- Limit exposure to false content – Avoid repeatedly interacting with questionable posts, as algorithms may amplify them.
- Support community fact-checking – Participate in or trust crowdsourced moderation efforts like “community notes.”
- Practice digital literacy – Use lateral reading, check sources, and stay updated on trusted news outlets.
- Report bots and fake accounts – Help reduce coordinated spread by flagging suspicious activity.
- Deploy caution during major events – Be extra vigilant during elections, crises, or trending news surges.
Conclusion
With social media, we can get fast, accessible, and popular news views. But it comes with a great sense of responsibility and research. So, what should you do?
The next time you scroll through your feed, you will have to pause and think before believing or sharing anything. Spend a great part of your day checking the source, reading beyond the headline, and don’t rely on influencers or viral posts alone. Let’s stay informed and not get misled easily.
