why college students prefer news daddy over College students are increasingly turning to social media platforms like TikTok for their news, favoring influencers like Dylan Page from News Daddy over traditional outlets like The New York Times.
why college students prefer news daddy over
The Rise of News Influencers
Ankit Khanal, a sophomore at George Mason University, exemplifies a growing trend among college students who prefer getting their news from social media. Khanal opens TikTok more than 20 times a day to catch up on the biggest stories delivered by Dylan Page, a 26-year-old news influencer based in the United Kingdom. Since launching his TikTok account in August 2020, Page has amassed over 1.5 billion likes, establishing what he calls his “News Daddy Empire.” His content covers a wide range of topics, including breaking news, politics, and pop culture, often presented in an enthusiastic, relatable manner that resonates with younger audiences.
While Page does not always cite his sources, his information appears to come from a mix of conventional news outlets, social media, and other influencers. This blend of sources raises questions about the reliability of the information being disseminated. Khanal, who studies computer science, is aware of the potential pitfalls of algorithm-driven media consumption. He even delivered a speech to his peers discussing how algorithms shape opinions and influence lives in subtle yet harmful ways. He acknowledges the irony of relying on TikTok for news while recognizing its shortcomings in reliability.
Trust in Social Media
Despite his reservations, Khanal prefers social media news sources over traditional journalism, citing biases and political leanings in legacy media as off-putting. He believes that news influencers are more connected to their audience, making them more relatable. This sentiment is echoed in a survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab, which polled 1,026 students across 181 institutions. The results, published in January 2024, revealed that nearly three in four students consider social media a primary news source. Half of those surveyed expressed at least some trust in platforms like Instagram and TikTok for delivering accurate news.
In stark contrast, only two in ten students reported regularly using newspapers as news sources, despite acknowledging that traditional outlets are generally more reliable. This trend raises questions about the future of journalism and the implications of relying on social media for news consumption.
The Classroom Perspective
Professor Karen North, who founded the digital media program at the University of Southern California, supports the findings of the survey. In her classes, she regularly discusses current events with her students and asks where they learned about those stories. The most common responses are Instagram and TikTok, with classroom discussions coming in a distant third. North notes that her students often get the basic premise of news from social media but rely on traditional outlets for deeper understanding.
Engagement with News
Students like Zau Lahtaw, a junior at Syracuse University, also rely on TikTok for news updates. Lahtaw follows both Dylan Page and various animated news accounts, including a talking fish styled after the animated news anchor from SpongeBob SquarePants. He finds these accounts entertaining and informative, often leading him to verify stories through Google. For instance, he learned about Israel’s military strikes on Iran through a TikTok video, which prompted him to search for confirmation online.
This “TikTok-to-Google” pipeline is a common behavior among college students. Many use social media as a springboard for further research, often turning to Google to verify the information they encounter. North observes that while students frequently search for news, they often settle for AI-generated summaries instead of reading full articles, treating these responses as a new form of Wikipedia.
Traditional Media vs. Social Media
Stanford sophomore Zachary Gottlieb, who serves as the Opinions section managing editor for The Stanford Daily, has access to traditional publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal through his university. He trusts these sources and reads daily newsletters to stay informed. However, he acknowledges that social media is inescapable, with news influencers like Page infiltrating his feeds even when he is not actively seeking news.
Gottlieb describes the overwhelming nature of social media news exposure, noting that it can be difficult to avoid sensational headlines while scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. He recalls a specific instance when he encountered graphic videos related to a shooting while trying to relax on TikTok. The incident illustrates the pervasive nature of news in the digital age, where even casual browsing can lead to exposure to distressing content.
The Shift in Content Consumption
Instagram has evolved significantly since its inception, transitioning from a platform for sharing personal moments to a space dominated by political activism and news sharing. Harvard freshman Aria-Vue Daugherty notes that approximately 80 percent of her Instagram feed consists of political content. She engages with posts from friends and activists, often resharing infographics and news stories that resonate with her. While Daugherty makes an effort to read articles from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Harvard Crimson, she admits that most of her news consumption occurs through social media.
Daugherty’s experience highlights the role of social media in shaping public awareness. For example, when news broke that the Department of Homeland Security had revoked Harvard’s certification to enroll international students, her Instagram feed was flooded with posts from peers discussing the implications. This rapid dissemination of information allowed her to stay informed and engage in discussions about the issue, demonstrating the power of social media as a news source.
Challenges of Misinformation
However, the reliance on social media for news is not without its challenges. Many students, including Lahtaw, are aware of the risks associated with misinformation. He expresses concern that his generation may be easily misled by AI-generated content and deepfakes. The proliferation of misleading videos on platforms like TikTok raises questions about the reliability of information and the potential for manipulation.
In July, a viral AI-generated video featuring bunnies on a trampoline garnered over 240 million views, with many viewers questioning its authenticity. Similarly, a fabricated video depicting a tragic event circulated widely, illustrating the ease with which misinformation can spread. Khanal himself has experienced the consequences of misinformation, recalling a time when he posted an AI-generated image as a joke, only to have viewers take it seriously.
The Impact of Algorithms
As Khanal reflects on his media consumption habits, he emphasizes the influence of algorithms on the information people receive. He argues that the assumption of control over one’s feed can lead to a lack of critical thinking about the ideas and beliefs being presented. The survey conducted in January revealed that while 72 percent of college students use social media for news, only two-thirds regularly check for accuracy or cross-reference information.
North confirms this trend, noting that students often receive headlines and basic information from platforms like Instagram while relying on TikTok for persuasive opinions. This duality raises concerns about the depth of understanding and critical engagement with news topics among young audiences.
Conclusion: A New Era of News Consumption
As college students increasingly turn to social media for news, the implications for traditional journalism are profound. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer quick access to information, they also present challenges related to misinformation and the reliability of sources. The ease of scrolling through curated feeds has made social media an attractive option for news consumption, but it raises questions about the future of informed citizenship.
As students navigate this new landscape, the balance between convenience and accuracy will be crucial. The challenge lies in fostering media literacy and critical thinking skills that empower young people to discern credible information from sensationalized content. As the digital age continues to evolve, the role of traditional media will need to adapt to meet the changing preferences of a generation that seeks news in increasingly innovative ways.
Source: Original report
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Last Modified: November 24, 2025 at 5:36 pm
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