TikTok has overtaken all other major social platforms to become the leading source of news for young adults in the United States, underscoring a generational shift in how information is consumed and raising fresh questions about the role of creators and algorithms in shaping public discourse.
A new survey by the Pew Research Center shows that 43 percent of Americans aged 18 to 29 now regularly get news from TikTok, surpassing YouTube and Facebook at 41 percent each and Instagram at 40 percent. The findings mark the first time TikTok has ranked as the top social news platform for this age group, Pew said.
Usage of X as a news source among young adults lagged significantly, with just 21 percent reporting they relied on the platform, while 18 percent turned to Reddit for news, according to the study.
The data highlights a steady evolution in news habits since 2023. In Pew’s previous research, YouTube and Instagram shared the top position for social news consumption among 18- to-29-year-olds, while Instagram narrowly led in 2023. TikTok’s rise over the past year represents the most pronounced shift in that period.
Pew found that news use has increased across most major platforms over the past three years, but TikTok’s growth has been especially sharp. The share of young adults using TikTok for news rose from 32 percent in 2023 to 41 percent in 2025, reflecting the platform’s expanding role as a hub for creator-led and non-traditional news coverage.
While established news organizations such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC and NPR have expanded their presence on TikTok with short-form video content, Pew said independent creators command greater attention among Gen Z audiences seeking news.
The research suggests that younger users favor frequent, concise updates delivered in a casual, authentic style rather than polished or heavily produced segments. One prominent example cited in the report is the account @UnderTheNewsDesk, run by creator V Spehar, which has amassed nearly 4 million followers on TikTok.
Before his death in September, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk also built a large audience on the platform, with more than 7 million followers, highlighting TikTok’s reach across the political spectrum.
Despite the dominance of social platforms, Pew noted that traditional formats still play a role. Sixty percent of young adults reported using news websites, while 28% relied on email newsletters. Still, a clear majority—76 percent—said social media was their preferred way to access news.
To support news content, TikTok has introduced new features over the past year, including footnotes that allow creators to add contextual or factual clarifications to videos. The platform has also expanded partnerships with independent fact-checkers in more than 130 markets.
However, Pew’s findings arrive amid growing concern over misinformation, particularly as AI-generated content becomes more common on the app. Governments in Europe have raised alarms about manipulated political messaging circulating on TikTok.
This week, Poland urged the European Commission to investigate the platform after AI-generated videos appeared calling for the country to leave the European Union, adding to broader scrutiny of TikTok’s role in political communication.
