How Gen Z College Students Get Their News
College students are increasingly turning to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram as their primary news sources, marking a significant shift away from traditional journalism. According to recent survey data, nearly three in four students cite social media as a top source for news, while only two in ten students regularly rely on newspapers for information.
The trend extends beyond social media giants. Friends and family recommendations rank as another major news source among college students, particularly for younger respondents aged 18-24. This preference for peer-based and social media news consumption reflects broader changes in how Americans access information, but it raises important questions about media literacy and misinformation.
The Trust Gap
Despite their heavy reliance on social platforms, college students express a nuanced view of news credibility. While most students trust newspapers and broadcast news to deliver accurate information, more than half also indicate they trust social media platforms to provide accurate news coverage.
This contradictory trust pattern becomes more complex when examining political divides. Students who voted for Donald Trump were twice as likely to cite podcasts as their top news source compared to those who voted for Kamala Harris, while Democrats show greater preference for news podcasts than Republicans.
Media Literacy Concerns and Progress
Despite these trends, there’s reason for optimism. Approximately 62 percent of college students express concern about misinformation spreading among their peers, suggesting awareness of the problem. More encouragingly, colleges appear to be making an impact: just one in ten students rate their media literacy as very high before college, compared to one in four after enrolling.
Nearly all surveyed students—98 percent—report regularly practicing basic media literacy skills to verify information accuracy. When asked how colleges could best support their media literacy development, students ranked creating digital resources for learning as their top choice.
What This Means for Higher Education
As colleges navigate their role in developing critical thinkers and media-literate citizens, the data suggests institutions are at least somewhat effective in this mission. The challenge lies in meeting students where they consume news—on social media platforms—while equipping them with the skills to evaluate information credibility across all sources.
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