The authors of the institute’s report said there was evidence that audiences “continue to selectively avoid important stories such as the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis as they cut back on depressing news and look to protect their mental health”.>
Bingo.
However,
But the figures are much higher for young users. One in five (20%) 18 to 24-year-olds get news from TikTok, up from 15% last year. The report says the platform “is the fastest growing social network in our survey”.
However, it is not necessarily news from traditional news providers. TikTok users are more likely to get news on the platform from celebrities, influencers or ordinary creators than mainstream news outlets or journalists.
I’d argue that the population isn’t politically disengaged - Millennials and especially Gen Z are showing high rates of political participation relative to historic trends.
People have simply shifted to different sources. And this isn’t just true for those on TikTok either - look at how many grandparents get their news from questionable Facebook groups.
The issue is that the internet - while making everything more accessible - has also proliferated sources that are confident, but incorrect (whether out of malice or not).
Bingo. However,
This is far more worrisome.
Yes, bad news for democracy or society in general. Just look at Russia to see how a politically disengaged population fares.
I also wonder how much post-fact agendas have played their part.
I’d argue that the population isn’t politically disengaged - Millennials and especially Gen Z are showing high rates of political participation relative to historic trends.
People have simply shifted to different sources. And this isn’t just true for those on TikTok either - look at how many grandparents get their news from questionable Facebook groups.
The issue is that the internet - while making everything more accessible - has also proliferated sources that are confident, but incorrect (whether out of malice or not).
ChatGPT: Hold my beer.