New Study Finds Younger Generations Turning to Short Videos on Social Networks as Primary Source of Information

A report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has revealed that short videos on social networks have become the primary source of information for young people, surpassing traditional media. The study emphasizes the increasing importance of videos as an online information source, particularly among younger individuals. In certain regions of Asia, Latin America, and Africa, social networks are highlighted as the main gateway to news.

Online surveys conducted by YouGov in 47 countries with 95,000 participants have shown interesting trends. For example, in Peru, 30% of respondents identified TikTok as their main source of information, a stark comparison to Denmark, where only 2% did so. The study also indicates that globally, two-thirds of respondents watch short news videos on a weekly basis, with the majority of this consumption happening on social media platforms rather than traditional media sites.

The report points out a significant divide among social networks, with Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) catering more to traditional media while platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube attract a younger audience seeking information from content creators and influencers. This shift in information consumption poses a challenge for traditional media outlets that struggle to adapt to the video-centric culture embraced by consumers.

However, the study also highlights success stories like French content creator Hugo Décrypte who has become a prominent source of information for young people in France through his YouTube and TikTok channels. With 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube and 5.7 million on TikTok, Décrypte’s influence underscores the growing importance of content creators in shaping the news consumption habits of younger generations.