People are increasingly turning to social media and video platforms for news. In many countries, these sites have overtaken TV and news websites as the most popular sources of information. In particular, YouTube and TikTok are accelerating as a news source for younger audiences. In some countries, podcasters and online influencers play a big role in shaping public debates. These emerging trends raise concerns about the impact of misinformation, which is viewed as one of the world’s top short-term risks in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Risks Report.
Social news platforms feature stories that users post, and which are then ranked by their popularity. Some of these sites are broken down into smaller communities with specific topics of interest — like politics, gardening or movies. Others, such as Reddit, are based on the concept of upvoting and downvoting, whereby users “appreciate” or “disapprove” of posts.
The use of these platforms is varied by demographics. For example, women are more likely to say they regularly get news on Facebook and Instagram than men. Younger people are more likely to say they get news on TikTok, X and Reddit. And some sites, such as X and Reddit, are used more by certain groups of people than others, such as Twitter and WhatsApp.
These social media trends show that consumers are seeking premier experiences on social media. They are doubling down on expectations for personalized customer service and want brands to respond promptly. They also want brands to be authentic and to know their identity.