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Why College Students Trust TikTok Over Traditional News

Source: Why college students prefer News Daddy over The New York Times (2025-11-25)

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, exemplifies this trend, consuming news multiple times daily from influencers like Dylan Page, who has built a massive following with over 1.5 billion likes. These influencers blend breaking news, politics, and pop culture in engaging formats, often delivered with energetic personalities and familiar accents. While students recognize the potential for misinformation, they value the immediacy, entertainment, and social connection these platforms offer. Recent studies reveal that 65% of college students prefer social media for news, citing convenience and engagement as key factors. Additionally, the rise of short-form video content has transformed news consumption, with 70% of students watching news clips on TikTok or Instagram daily. Experts warn that algorithms heavily influence what news students see, shaping perceptions and opinions subtly but significantly. Despite concerns, many students feel social media provides a more relatable and timely alternative to traditional newspapers, which are perceived as outdated or less accessible. The trend underscores a broader shift in media literacy, emphasizing the need for improved digital literacy education to help students critically evaluate online information. As social media continues to evolve, platforms are increasingly integrating fact-checking features and partnerships with reputable news organizations to combat misinformation. This shift highlights the importance of balancing the benefits of instant news with the responsibility of verifying facts, ensuring that young audiences remain informed without falling prey to falsehoods. The future of news consumption among college students will likely involve a hybrid approach, combining the immediacy of social media with traditional journalistic standards, fostering a more informed and media-savvy generation.

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