In a major shift in how people consume information, social media has overtaken TV and news websites as the primary source of news in the United States, according to new research by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. More than half of US adults (54%) now say they get their news from platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. That figure surpasses both TV (50%) and traditional news websites or apps (48%).
This isn’t just an American trend. Globally, especially among young people, personality driven news and algorithm-fed content are fast replacing traditional journalism.
From Journalists to Influencers
One of the most striking trends is the decline of traditional broadcasters and the rise of online personalities. The report found that podcaster Joe Rogan is now one of the most-seen news figures in the US, with nearly 1 in 4 Americans saying they had come across news or commentary from him in the previous week.
This shift reflects a wider move away from institutional journalism toward influencers, streamers, and partisan content creators. In some cases, politicians are choosing to speak to these personalities instead of traditional journalists gaining a friendly platform while sidestepping difficult questions. But this change comes with risks. Nearly half (47%) of people worldwide say influencers and online personalities are a top source of false or misleading information putting them on par with politicians as major spreaders of misinformation.
The research also highlighted how social media use increasingly mirrors people’s political leanings. Since Elon Musk’s takeover of X in 2022, the platform has seen a surge in right-leaning users particularly young men in the US and UK. In America, the share of self-identified right-wing users on X tripled; in the UK, it nearly doubled. This polarisation is creating digital echo chambers where people are more likely to consume content that aligns with their views and less likely to see or trust alternative perspectives.
Traditional Media Losing Ground
Attempts to create alternative platforms like Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky have largely failed to gain traction for news, each attracting only about 2% of users globally.
In the UK, the broader shift is also visible: Britons are now spending more time on mobile phones than watching TV, with those aged 15–24 averaging nearly five hours a day on their phones. TV, once the dominant source of news and entertainment, is steadily being replaced by always-on, algorithm-driven content.
Why Trust is Crumbling
One major reason behind this shift is a growing lack of trust in traditional news outlets. Once seen as pillars of truth, many legacy media brands are now viewed by the public as biased, agenda-driven, or more concerned with clicks than facts. This has created what some researchers call a “truth vacuum” where audiences are desperate for honest reporting but don’t know where to find it.
“All people really want is the truth,” said one analyst. “But many no longer believe they’re getting it from traditional sources.”
The result? Millions have turned to independent creators and influencers even those with fewer editorial standards in search of authenticity. It’s a risky trade-off, as misinformation grows and public trust continues to erode.
A Double-Edged Sword
Social media’s dominance has made news faster, more accessible, and more diverse but also more fragmented and emotionally taxing. The constant stream of content, especially on mobile devices, has been linked to increased anxiety and mental fatigue. Meanwhile, in the UK, a related shift is taking place in how people spend their time overall.
New research from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) finds that, for the first time ever, Britons are now spending more time on their mobile phones than watching TV. On average, people spend 3 hours and 21 minutes a day on their phones, compared to 3 hours and 16 minutes in front of the television with the difference even starker among 15 to 24-year-olds, who spend nearly five hours a day on their phones.
The IPA notes that while TV is often seen as relaxing, mobile content can leave users feeling overwhelmed or sad.
What Comes Next?
The rise of social platforms as news providers has reshaped journalism, public discourse, and even democracy itself. It’s empowered new voices — but also muddled the public’s ability to distinguish fact from fiction. As traditional media continues to decline, a crucial question remains:
If we no longer trust the old sources, who do we trust now and what does that mean for how we understand the world?
