Blog

Common Sense Media. New Survey Reveals Teens Get Their News from Social Media and YouTube. 12 August 2019Celebrities, influencers, and personalities have as much influence as a source of current events as friends, family, and news organizations
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/press-releases/new-survey-reveals-teens-get-their-news-from-social-media-and-youtube
Despite this report being four years old, it is important to note that youth get their information from social media: “Teens’ news habits reflect the diversity of the modern media landscape. And, while most news organizations maintain accounts on social media and other platforms, they are competing for attention with corporate brands, celebrities, influencers, and personal connections. Of those teens who get their news from YouTube, for example, six in 10 say they are more likely to get it from celebrities, influencers, and personalities rather than from news organizations utilizing the platform.”
Importantly, a 2023 report highlights the way e-cigarette producers have used social media platforms to promote e-cigarettes to youth: ““Tens of millions of young people on social media are being shown posts promoting nicotine pouches and vapes using discounts, giveaways and paid influencers, according to a report. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids claims companies are using “aggressive” tactics and that posts promoting smoking alternative nicotine and tobacco products had been viewed more than 3.4bn times across social media platforms. The report alleges that 40% of the audience was under 25 and 16 million were under 18. The majority of views were on Instagram… BAT and Philip Morris use at least 56 social media accounts in at least 45 countries to directly promote their products, despite Facebook and Instagram’s advertising policies banning ads for tobacco and nicotine products.” [Sarah Marsh. Millions of young people exposed to vape posts online, charity says, The Guardian, 8 Dec 2023] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/08/millions-of-young-people-exposed-to-vape-posts-online-charity-says