Why College Students Trust TikTok Over Traditional News

Source: Why college students prefer News Daddy over The New York Times (2025-11-24)

College students are increasingly turning to TikTok and Instagram for their news, despite widespread awareness of misinformation risks. Ankit Khanal, a sophomore at George Mason University, reports accessing news over 20 times daily via TikTok, following influencers like Dylan Page, who has amassed over 1.5 billion likes with his energetic, engaging news content. While traditional newspapers and magazines are losing favor, students value the immediacy, entertainment, and personalized nature of social media updates. Recent studies reveal that 65% of college students prefer social media for news, citing convenience and engaging formats as key reasons. Interestingly, 70% of students acknowledge the prevalence of misinformation but continue to rely on these platforms, trusting influencers they perceive as credible. The rise of TikTok news influencers has prompted traditional outlets to adapt, with many now creating short-form videos to reach younger audiences. Furthermore, social media algorithms significantly influence news consumption, shaping perceptions and opinions subtly but powerfully. Despite concerns about misinformation, students like Khanal recognize the importance of media literacy, actively seeking to verify information through multiple sources. The trend underscores a broader shift in media consumption habits, emphasizing the need for credible, engaging, and accessible news formats tailored to digital-native audiences. As social media continues to evolve, experts predict that traditional journalism must innovate to stay relevant, integrating short-form content and influencer collaborations to effectively inform and engage young people. This shift also raises questions about the future of journalism ethics, fact-checking, and the role of social media platforms in safeguarding information integrity. Overall, the preference for TikTok among college students highlights a transformative era in news dissemination, blending entertainment with information in ways that resonate with the digital generation.

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