Social media has become the world’s leading source of news for the first time, surpassing television, radio and online news platforms, according to a major international report published by Oxford University.
The Digital News Report, which surveyed around 100,000 people across 48 countries, found that 54% of respondents accessed news via social media at least once a week. In comparison, 51% said they used traditional or legacy media such as TV broadcasts, radio programmes or dedicated news websites.
The study highlights a structural shift in global news consumption patterns, particularly among younger audiences. While social media has been gaining influence for years, researchers noted this is the first time it has overtaken traditional media across all age groups combined.
Globally, 30% of respondents identified social media and video platforms as their primary source of news, up from 22% in 2020. Among those aged 18 to 24, the figure rises sharply to 52%, placing it far ahead of other sources. In contrast, reliance on television news and mobile news applications has dropped significantly over the same period, falling by 13 and 12 percentage points respectively.
The report attributes the shift to changing media habits, including reduced television consumption and the convenience of accessing news through mobile feeds and video platforms. Many respondents also said they find social media easier for quick updates, even if they still occasionally turn to established news organisations for verification.
Despite the rise of digital platforms, traditional media continues to lead in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands, where public trust in established journalism remains comparatively strong. In these markets, audiences are also less dependent on individual online creators for news content.
The findings suggest that while social media dominates overall consumption, legacy outlets still play a critical role in shaping verified information. Many users, the report notes, combine both sources, relying on social media for immediacy and traditional media for credibility.
However, concerns are growing about the role of social platforms in shaping perceptions of global conflicts. The report found that younger audiences are significantly more likely to rely on social media for coverage of events such as the war in Iran or the conflict in Gaza, while older groups continue to prefer television and established news websites.
The study also recorded early signs of artificial intelligence entering the news ecosystem, with 10% of respondents saying they used AI tools for news in the past week. While this remains limited, researchers warned that recent changes in search engines, including AI-driven results, could accelerate the shift in how people access information.
Overall, the report describes the change as a gradual transition rather than an abrupt break, but one that is steadily reshaping how global audiences consume news.
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