Youngsters' Preference for Social Media Over News Platforms in Germany
Youngsters prefer social media platforms over traditional news outlets for obtaining information.
Germany's youth seem to be turning their backs on traditional news sites, swapping them for the videos and posts they find on social media. Roughly 57% of youngsters aged 20 to 29 hold this stance, making a staggering 20 percentage point jump from the average and a 14 percentage point spike compared to the past year, according to a study called the "Social Media Atlas 2025."
Interestingly, the next age group, those aged 30 to 39, shows a 6% increase year-on-year in favor of social media content, with a total of 51%. The 16 to 19 age group isn't far behind with 44%, marking a 10% leap from the previous year.
Compiled by the PER Agency in collaboration with the Institute for Management and Business Research (IMWF), this representative study questioned over 3,500 internet users aged 16 and above in December 2024 and January 2025. The "Social Media Atlas", which has tracked the use of social media in Germany since 2011, published the findings.
While the study doesn't delve into why this shift towards social media is happening, it's believed that accessibility, interactivity, peers and influencers, diverse perspectives, perceived authenticity, and algorithmic feeds could be driving factors behind this trend. As younger generations are typically more connected and active online, these platforms offer an engaging, personalized experience that can foster trust in the information they share.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa
- The community policy regarding youth and media should address the increasing preference of young people for social media over news platforms, taking into account factors such as accessibility, interactivity, and algorithmic feeds that drive this trend.
- While entertainment is a key factor attracting youth to social media, it's crucial for youth policy to ensure balanced information consumption, promoting the importance of staying informed via news platforms as well.
