TikTok Becomes Most Popular News Source for British Teens
A study conducted by Ofcom on news consumption in the UK has revealed that TikTok has become the most popular news source across all platforms for British teenagers. According to The Guardian, TikTok is followed by YouTube and Instagram in terms of popularity.
The popularity of TikTok can be attributed to its powerful algorithm, which controls the content users see on their screens, as well as its effective search function. These features have transformed the platform into a captivating space for users of all age groups, from young to old.
Among teenagers aged 12 to 15, TikTok is the most widely used news source, with 28% of this age group using it. YouTube and Instagram closely follow with an equal percentage of 25%. However, among this age group, BBC still maintains the highest popularity among other sources, considering all its media outlets such as BBC iPlayer, radio stations, websites, and television channels, which collectively reach 39% of the audience.
The Ofcom study also revealed that teenagers between the ages of 16 and 24 are 30% more likely to consume news through social media on their mobile phones than adults, and they actively consume news online more than adults. The research also showed that young people in this age group are less likely to visit traditional news websites (6% compared to 26% in adults) and are more inclined to use social media. For instance, Instagram is the most widely used platform for obtaining news among young people, with a usage rate of 44%, while BBC One is at a comparable level with Facebook at 33% usage among this group.
Furthermore, the study indicated that TikTok has become a more popular news source among adults as well, with one in ten adults using it to stay informed, surpassing the popularity of BBC Radio 1 and Channel 5.
According to the research, television news remains the most popular source of information for adults, used by 70% of the British adult audience. BBC One continues to be the most widely used news platform across all available channels, followed by ITV. However, both channels have experienced a decline in popularity over the past five years, with BBC One losing 62% and ITV losing 41%. Similarly, Facebook's popularity has also decreased during this period.