On the rise: TikTok as a news source
According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, around a third of US adults now get their news from TikTok. This development underscores a trend seen particularly among the younger generation: the move toward more dynamic and interactive forms of messaging.
Generational change in news reception
The TikTok phenomenon is not limited to its popularity as an entertainment video platform. TikTok is playing an increasingly central role in news gathering, particularly among 18 to 29 year olds in the USA. In this age group, around a third of users say they regularly consume news on TikTok.
For 30 to 49 year olds it is 15 percent, for 50 to 64 year olds it is seven percent and for those over 65 year olds it is only three percent.
Dynamics of news dissemination in social networks
The use of TikTok as a news source has increased significantly since 2022. What's interesting is that just as many TikTok users now get their news from this platform as Facebook users from Facebook - even though the proportion of news readers on Facebook has fallen from 54 to 43 percent.
In contrast, platforms like X (Twitter) and Reddit are seeing a decline in news usage, while Instagram is seeing a slight increase.
Privacy concerns and political perspectives
TikTok, one of the few globally successful online platforms that do not come from the USA, is under close observation, especially in the USA and Europe. There are fears that the app could be used by Chinese authorities to collect data. Several governments and the EU Commission have even banned the use of TikTok on work cell phones.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, rejects these allegations and emphasizes that it is majority owned by Western investors, even if critics point to the dominant role of the Chinese founders.
Conclusion: Media landscape is changing
The rise of TikTok as a news source marks a significant shift in the way people get information. While the platform is particularly popular with younger users, there is a broader trend towards social media for news consumption that is challenging traditional media.
However, privacy and political concerns remain, raising important questions about the future of messaging in the digital age.
Source: Pressetext.com
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )