Almost half of the 13-18 year olds get their news primarily from Tiktok. The expert says that this sets new requirements for media literacy.
Although Tiktok is often thought of as just entertainment, young people are increasingly using it to follow the news as well. Adobe Stock
According to a study commissioned by the Uutismedia Association, Tiktok has become the most important news channel among 13-18 year olds, being the primary news channel for almost every second young person.
Next, young people use the websites of tabloid newspapers the most, from which 37 percent of the age group follow news, as well as Instagram (32%), television (31%) and Snapchat (28%).
In its press release, the News Media Association says that Tiktok’s importance as a news channel has risen rapidly, because even in 2020 its role as a news source for 13-18 year olds was quite small.
The only source of news for many
Young people spend an average of one and a half hours a day on Tiktok, but it is mainly used for things other than following news. Only around one in ten 13-18 year olds do not use Tiktok at all.
Almost every other young person says that they would probably not come across news media content if they did not come across it on Tiktok.
According to the study, the majority of young people follow the news at least to some extent. Slightly more than one in three follow the news daily.
Young people are most interested in news related to young people’s lives and major current news events both in Finland and around the world.
According to the research, the most preferred way for young people to follow news events is short and neutral videos (56%). The next most preferred content were videos in which journalists or other people talk about events in their own words (37%).
The story continues below the video.
New requirements for media literacy
In addition to the fact that young people say that they recognize news media releases from other Tiktok content well, they consider the material produced by news houses to be more reliable than other Tiktok content.
A large number of young people say that at least occasionally they come across unclear, incorrect or downright false information – often specifically on Tiktok.
Media education specialist Hanna Romppainen Uutismedia’s association says in a press release that following the news through social media places new demands on media literacy.
– There is now an even greater need for media education. It is important to talk about journalism as part of the social media context, and it is also necessary for the news media to constantly make journalism familiar and open up its rules of the game to young people, Romppainen continues.
Iltalehti is Finland’s largest news media on Tiktok. Check out Iltalehti’s Tiktok video below for the reactions of the presidential candidates when the preliminary votes were announced on election night.
Source: News media union