TikTok has become the primary source of news for teenagers in the UK, surpassing other platforms, according to a study conducted by Ofcom, the media regulator. The research revealed that 28% of 12 to 15-year-olds rely on the video-sharing app to stay informed about current affairs, marking a higher proportion than any other platform. YouTube and Instagram follow closely behind, with both being used by 25% of individuals in the same age group for news consumption.
The findings come as the internet continues to replace traditional print media as a news source, not only for teenagers but also among the general public. The research conducted by Ofcom indicates that 68% of UK adults now turn to online sources for news, while only 26% rely on physical newspapers.
Television remains the most popular platform, with 70% of adults using it to stay updated on current events. This figure rises to 75% when on-demand content is included. However, TikTok’s growing influence as a news source among younger audiences highlights a significant shift in the landscape.
Nic Newman, a senior research associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, suggests that while TikTok has been associated with lighter topics rather than “serious” news, events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have altered perceptions. Newman explains that COVID-19 led to serious news discussions on TikTok due to people being at home and having more time to engage with content. This highlights the broader shift in news consumption patterns among younger demographics.
This recent study aligns with previous research indicating TikTok’s rising popularity as a news source among young people worldwide. However, despite the platform’s influence, 45% of 12 to 15-year-olds expressed disinterest in news, with nearly half finding it “too boring.” Additionally, 16% of respondents stated that news was “too upsetting.”
Ofcom’s research also revealed that, among the 12 to 15 age group, 23% expressed the most interest in news related to sports or sports personalities, while 15% wanted to stay updated on music news or singers, and 11% sought information about celebrities or famous individuals.
While Facebook remains the most widely used social media platform for accessing news across all age groups, its popularity has declined, reaching only 30% of adults in the past year compared to 35% in 2019. In contrast, TikTok has seen a significant increase in popularity as a news source, with 10% of adults now using it for news consumption, up from just 1% in 2020.
Despite its growing influence, TikTok has faced criticism and concerns regarding its alleged links to the Chinese government, leading to government bans on the platform’s use on official devices in Australia, Canada, the EU, and the UK. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has denied sharing user data with Chinese officials.
Ofcom’s research, based on interviews with over 1,000 young people, also revealed that among individuals aged 16 to 24, social media platforms are among the top sources of news. Instagram emerged as the most popular platform for news consumption, with 44% of this age group using it, while 29% relied on TikTok for staying informed. Only 10% of respondents in this age group claimed to consume no news at all, compared to 5% of the overall UK adult population.
