The way young people engage with news is undergoing a profound transformation. The shift to online platforms as a news source for children and youth has opened new avenues for information dissemination and consumption. This article looks at the trend of young people turning to online sources for news, underscored by compelling statistics from recent studies. Understanding the implications of this shift for the next generation is crucial. Parents and educators need to take a proactive role in helping children and youth learn the tools to reap the benefits and avoid the pitfalls of online news.
This article accompanies the Data Girl Episode “The World of Online News” on YouTube or our The Adventures of Data Girl and Friends Page.
The Shift to Online News Among Youth
Recent trends indicate a significant shift in how news is consumed. Children and youth increasingly prefer getting their news online rather than from traditional outlets. Here are some statistics from recent studies on this issue:
- The “News consumption survey in the UK: 2023,” published by Ofcom1, found that 83% of 16-24 year-olds consume news online. They are most likely to get their news from social media instead of going to a dedicated website. Although 39% of teenagers aged 12-15 utilized the BBC as the primary source for news, it was closely followed by TikTok (28%), YouTube (25%), and Instagram 25%).
- Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2022, another report published by Ofcon,2 focused on families in the UK, found that “despite almost six in ten teenagers saying they used social media for news, it was the least trusted or accurate news source; 12-15s preferred to trust their family (68%) or the TV (65%) for news.” This report also highlights that the age group 10-17 was likelier to trust influencers than newspapers, social media, or Celebrities who have earned fame offline.
This trend is not unique to the UK. A 2022 Reuters Institute report3 on new habits and attitudes of audiences aged 18 – 34 across 15 geographies highlights the following:
- Public trust in journalism is eroding, interest in news is declining, and news avoidance is on the rise.
- Younger people consume news differently than older people, including more time spent on digital and social media and less loyalty to news brands.
- There has been growth of newer platforms such as TikTok and Telegram among young audiences.
- Across 12 markets, for 39% of social natives (18–24s) social media is their primary news source, replacing news websites as a primary source of information.
- Between 2020 and 2022, TikTok usage has increased fivefold among 18–24s across all markets, from 3% to 15%.
Benefits and Risks of Online News
The online world offers a buffet of news – it’s quick, diverse, and provides a chance to stay informed from various viewpoints. There are several benefits of getting news online, such as
- Accessibility: With an internet connection, online news sources are available 24/7 from anywhere in the world.
- Variety: Online news sources cater to a wide range of interests and perspectives.
- Personalization: Many online news sources allow you to personalize your news feed to see the stories most relevant to you.
- Cost-effectiveness: Online news sources are often free to access, saving you money compared to traditional print or broadcast news sources.
- Interactivity: In many online news sources, you can often comment on articles or share them on social media.
However, there are also several risks that need to be managed. For example
- Credibility: Not all online news sources are credible, and control mechanisms online are not always reliable.
- Confirmation bias: Personalization can be a benefit but also a double-edged sword. Online news sources can show too many news stories that align with existing beliefs and interests. This limits exposure to different perspectives, making it challenging to form well-rounded opinions.
- Echo chambers: While there is a wide variety of content available, online channels such as social media won’t always show it. Algorithms that choose which stories to pick tend to show news stories confirming existing beliefs instead of presenting different ones.
- Distractions: Online news sources often contain a lot of ads and other distractions.
- Privacy concerns: Online news sources collect data about the user’s online activity, which can compromise privacy.
Social media, in particular, can be a hotbed for biased and fake news. Bias skews our perception unfairly, while fake news spreads untruths, contributing to a distorted view of reality.
An Interactive Activity: Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy
The trends towards online platforms as a news source for children and youth outlined in the previous two sections confirm the importance of parents and educators proactively engaging with children to explore both the benefits and challenges of consuming news online.
The following straightforward but extremely beneficial activity to help the next generation learn to consume online news in a safe and positive way:
- Set aside time to browse news websites and social media platforms.
- Discuss and compare the news presented on the different platforms.
- Check the sources, cross-reference information, and use fact-checkers to evaluate their reliability.
Here are a few examples of conversation points to encourage critical thinking and improve digital literacy:
- Source Evaluation: Let’s consider where this news comes from. What do we know about this source? Is it generally considered reliable?
- Cross-Checking Facts: This piece of news is interesting. Can we find the same information on other trusted news platforms? How do they report it?
- Understanding Bias: Do you feel this article favors a particular viewpoint? How might this influence our understanding of the issue?
- The Impact of Fake News: What could be the consequences if this news is untrue? How does it affect individuals or society?
This activity educates and strengthens your bond through shared learning experiences and open discussion.
Navigating the World of Online News Together
It’s evident that the landscape of news consumption is evolving rapidly, particularly among the youth. This shift towards online platforms as a news source for children, while offering unprecedented accessibility and diversity, also presents unique challenges and risks. Parents and educators can play a key role in guiding young minds by understanding these changes and participating in activities that promote critical thinking and digital literacy. Together, we can help the younger generation navigate the complex world of online news, fostering informed, discerning, and responsible digital citizens.