Britain’s Teens Are Turning to TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for Their Daily News Fix
In a nutshell, youngsters in the UK have finally decided that the newspaper in the coffee shop is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Instead, they’re scrolling through Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for their news updates, according to the newest Ofcom report.
Key Take‑aways
- Instagram reigns supreme – 29% of teens now get their news from the photo‑sharing giant.
- TikTok and YouTube follow close behind – 28% each are on the map.
- ‘Other people you follow’ are the main news source on TikTok, not the big newspapers.
- Teenagers who are 12‑15 years old are still wary of TikTok news; only 30% trust what they read there.
- 10% of 16‑24‑year‑olds trust BBC or Sky News most, but the same age group are more open to YouTube and Twitter.
- Facebook’s share of teens using it for news has slipped further – down to 22% from 27% last year.
The “Trusted News” Status Quo
Traditional news still gets the thumbs‑up from the wider public. Sky News and the BBC are still the go‑to for reliable information, while most folks feel that social‑media news is a bit of a gamble.
When the World Goes Digital: Your Social Feed Brings the Headlines
Picture this: you’re scrolling through your feed, and your favorite TikToker drops a quick video on the latest political debate. That’s the new news story for many teens. “We’re just scrolling, not tuning in to a TV show,” says Yih‑Choung Teh from Ofcom, highlighting adults’ (well, almost adults’) step away from newspapers and PCs.
Social‑Media Platforms in a Nutshell
- TikTok – the fastest-growing news platform, especially for 16‑24‑year‑olds.
- Instagram – the most popular source for 12‑15‑year‑olds.
- Youtube – a hit, though users still feel it’s in the middle ground between reliable news outlets and viral content.
- Facebook – slipping, but still 22% of teens read the news there.
Bottom line: if you want to catch the next headline, you might just have to slide through your feed.
