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They use these platforms to \u2018Google\u2019 things and spend countless hours<\/a> on them every day. Even though some of these social media platforms have been a breeding ground for fake information, deep fakes, and security concerns, Gen Z also turns to them for news.<\/p>\n Take TikTok, for instance: the Chinese-owned short-form video platform is banned on government devices<\/a> in the U.K. and could potentially face a ban over security concerns in the U.S. It has also been linked to misinformation around elections in the past<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Yet, the app has been \u201cgrowing in popularity as a source of news\u201d with about 11% of U.K. adults\u2014up from just 1% in 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n Among teens aged 12 to 15 years, in particular, TikTok\u2019s reach for news is higher than that of YouTube and Instagram, new Office of Communications<\/a> data released Tuesday found.<\/p>\n The report, which categorizes Gen Z into teens of 12 to 15 years and adults of 16 to 24 years, said that online platforms\u2014whether a news publication\u2019s website or social media\u2014seem to be the go-to source. Among the older Gen Zers, TikTok was ranked as among the top \u201cmost important source of news.\u201d Facebook, X and Instagram also made it to the top ranks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The growing interest in news consumption via TikTok could be alarming given the platform has been in the crosshairs of regulators in recent times over content safety<\/a>. The sum total of social media can feel somewhat like its own Wild West amid the rise in misinformation<\/a> and deepfakes<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the lovers of online news also seem aware of social media\u2019s risks, as they rank it the lowest in terms of accuracy and impartiality. Even among digital sources, search engines like Google are seen as more reliable than social media platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s true\u2014the generation of digital natives, who have had technology at their disposal since day one, is shaking up age-old practices. TikTok is just a small piece of the paradigm shift in how news is read and shared.<\/p>\n Last year, Britain\u2019s Office of National Statistics said it would alter its data collection methods as Millennials and Gen Z aren\u2019t answering phone<\/a> calls anymore. They are also \u201cGoogling\u201d things less<\/a> when looking for answers, turning to platforms like TikTok instead.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nBig paradigm shift<\/h2>\n