The rise of social media has kick-started an evolution in professional journalism and mass media. Social media platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok have become primary news sources for many members of Generation Z. But as audience preferences shift, the line between credible journalism and content creation has started to blur. This raises two key questions: How has social media changed the way we consume news, and what does that mean for the future of news media?
For many young adults, consuming the news doesn’t mean unfolding a print of The New York Times or watching a morning segment on ABC News; it means scrolling social media. Social media apps have made consuming news convenient because they package stories into bite-sized clips with eye-catching headlines, but that convenience comes at a cost. When the news blends in with our everyday feed, it can become harder to differentiate fact from opinion and content from news.
Along with delivering relevant news content, social media also filters it. Algorithms are programmed to prioritize user engagement over accuracy, meaning the stories that spread the fastest are the ones provoking the most interactions. Content that sparks strong emotional responses, whether that be anger, fear, divisiveness or even humor, will likely have a wider reach than stories about more nuanced topics and complex issues.
According to a study conducted in 2025 by the Pew Research Center, 53% of adults in the U.S. said they get some of their news from social media platforms, with TikTok, Instagram and X being the most popular among young adults aged 18-29. This evolution in news consumption also signifies a shift in where people are getting their news from. In another study conducted in 2024, the Pew Research Center found that 21% of adults get their news from news influencers, with 65% of those adults saying that news influencers have “helped them better understand current events and civic issues.”
Part of the “newsfluencer” model is repackaging headlines and delivering them to audiences in a way that is entertaining and easy to understand. The accessibility of social media also creates opportunities for news influencers to interact and build a relationship with their audience — something that is more difficult for traditional reporters.
Dr. Nick Mathews, a professor of journalism at the University of Missouri, said this shift over time has changed not only where people get their news, but what they see first.
“More often than actually seeing the original news story, they’re going to see commentary from people on social media about that news story,” Mathews said. “So how people distinguish between that is critical.”
Popular content creators like UnderTheDeskNews and Aaron Parnas primarily use TikTok as a platform to reach social media users and deliver daily shorts about current events. With millions of followers, they are competing with social media accounts of larger news outlets. Common criticism against news influencers stems from the fact that many of them aren’t breaking the news themselves or conducting actual reporting. Most news influencers will take current headlines and explain to viewers how something might impact them or why they should care.
The problem that arises with news influencers is that audiences might struggle to tell the difference between professional journalism and commentary. It’s important for news organizations to emphasize transparency and the efforts behind the reporting they do. As Mathews explained, it’s about “making it clear to your audience just what journalism is, compared to other journalism.”
On the contrary, the popularity of news influencers isn’t inherently bad. Social media’s wide reach makes getting access to news extremely easy, which hasn’t always been the case. News-related content can help social media users stay informed about daily events, and apps spread information quickly online.
Creators oftentimes have a political affiliation, which means they can capitalize on the polarization that plagues social media. In the same study from 2024, researchers found that 77% of influencers have no affiliation or background with a news organization, meaning there’s virtually no one holding creators accountable for spreading misinformation or false statements. Algorithms have been proven to promote heavily biased and divisive content, in turn creating an echo chamber around users. Relying primarily on social media creators for daily news can push users into online communities that amplify their preexisting beliefs and validate their fears. It’s important for audiences to pause and remember that the content they’re consuming online is just that: content.
As social media continues to reshape the way Americans consume news, Mathews believes the future of journalism depends on reaffirming its core purpose.
“We have to double down on what we do as a career and really emphasize, continue to do the work that we do, the craft of journalism and what that means for society,” Mathews said.
The challenge younger generations face isn’t whether to allow social media to influence the way they consume their news. Instead, the challenge is learning how to navigate a new landscape where entertainment and information can look nearly the same. This means holding creators accountable, supporting credible journalists and remembering that the value of good journalism comes from verification rather than virality.
