TikTok Becoming a Growing Source of News for U.S. Adults

Recent findings from the Pew Research Center, show a notable surge in U.S. adults turning to TikTok as a source for news, a trend that stands in contrast to other social media platforms where news consumption has either plateaued or declined.

According to data presented in a bar chart, roughly a third of American adults under 30 now regularly obtain news through TikTok. Over a span of three years, there has been a substantial increase in the percentage of adults relying on TikTok for news, soaring from a mere 3% in 2020 to a significant 14% in 2023.

While TikTok is recognized primarily as a platform for short-form video content and has amassed considerable popularity among teenagers – with two-thirds reporting having used the app – it is increasingly gaining traction among young adults as well.

Breaking down the demographics, adults between the ages of 18 and 29 appear to be the most inclined toward TikTok for news consumption. Approximately 32% of this age group now regularly access news on the platform, marking a notable rise from previous years. In comparison, 15% of those aged 30 to 49, 7% of individuals between 50 and 64, and a mere 3% of those 65 and older use TikTok as a source for news.

Furthermore, among TikTok's adult user base, an increasing number are turning to the platform for news updates. Presently, 43% of TikTok users state that they regularly seek news on the site, a significant uptick from the 33% reported in 2022. This figure now equals the proportion of Facebook users obtaining news from that platform. However, TikTok users remain less inclined to source news from the platform compared to users of X (formerly Twitter).