TikTok is growing as a source for users’ news diets

TikTok is growing as a primary source of users’ news diet, according to the results of a new study.

A Pew Research Center survey found that 43% of TikTok users regularly get their news through the app, up from just 22% in 2020.

The results also showed that Americans are twice as likely to say they prefer to get their news via digital devices rather than television. Some 58% said they prefer to receive news via digital devices, compared to 27% via television. Far behind is radio at 6% and print at 5%. Most also preferred to receive news through news websites and apps, followed by search, social media and podcasts.

Among social media sites, Facebook still dominates news consumption. According to the survey, 30% of US adults regularly get their news from the platform, followed by YouTube at 26%, Instagram at 16%, TikTok at 14% and X/Twitter at 12%.

The results are based on a survey of 8,842 adults conducted from September 25 to October 1.

While TikTok users are increasingly turning to the app for news, numbers on other platforms have fallen. According to the study, a smaller percentage of X/Twitter and Facebook users use these apps for news content.

In recent weeks, TikTok has defended its efforts against anti-Semitism while criticizing the spread of anti-Jewish sentiment following Hamas’ October 7 terror attack on Israel. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) accused the platform of being a tool. China is using it to spread propaganda among Americans” and that “it is now being used to denigrate Hamas terrorism.” TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

In a blog post earlier this month, TikTok said: “In recent days, there have been erroneous analyzes of TikTok hashtag data surrounding the conflict, leading some commentators to mistakenly believe that TikTok is favoring pro-Palestinian content over pro-Israel prioritize content.” American users. It’s just not true.”