Gen Z media consumption and hazards on smartphone

UNSPLASH

According to a survey by Pew Research, 86% of American adults access news on a digital platform. Gen Z – which prefers using smartphones to linear media is driving the digital charge, which is shaping changes in news media’s approach to engagement.

Linear news consumption is out. Digital is in.

In terms of age and educational attainment, Americans 50 years and older lean more towards traditional outlets like print and television. Unlike Americans with a college degree, they’re more likely to use platforms such as news websites, apps, podcasts, or email newsletters while those without college degrees lean toward social media.

Pew Research’s 2025 News Platform Fact Sheet found that 86% of U.S. adults get their news from digital platforms while 64% occasionally get it from television. There’s less engagement with radio and print at 11% and 7% respectively. 

Johnson C. Smith University professor Tonya Rivens, president of the Charlotte Association of Black Journalists, acknowledges Generation Z – people between 14 and 29 years old – have transformed the news industry through their engagement with media. 

“We know that the change has been earth-shattering … everyone’s gone to streaming and social media for their sources,” she said. “The younger millennials and Gen Zers, they’re not turning on the television looking for media reports, they’re getting that all from their cell phones is right in their pocket, which is a lot quicker. So, by the time you come on air talking breaking news, they’ve already seen that story.”

Rivens, a longtime television and radio broadcaster, acknowledges the importance of history, transparency, and credibility in reporting. For trust to exist, she argues, they must prioritize accuracy, balanced coverage, and ethical journalism.

“[Gen Z] prefer online, and the thing about online is a lot of these outlets are not newsworthy,” she said. “A lot of these outlets are there to entertain. A lot of these news outlets online are not factual. They are not validating it, taking the time to balance.” 

For example, Rivens cited instances where she’s seen younger people engage fake news and believe it’s true. 

“We see all the time artists dying over and over and over because someone decides to post this [as] fact, and people take the story and circulate it and run with it,” she said. 

Jordan McNeal, a May JCSU graduate, relies on digital platforms for news. She views and listens to outlets like NPR, and MS NOW as well as blogs and social media like TikTok. 

“I prefer digital platforms because my preference for listening to things is more audible, and I like fast-paced news,” she said. “Normally, I’ll just go into YouTube and I’ll look up a news segment throughout the day, and I’ll just put it on 2x speed. I think it takes time to want to watch the news. It’s something that you have to do, and you have to want to be able to go out and do your own research.” 

McNeal has recently come across a news segment from Good Morning America reporting Gen Z has a poor work ethic – a story she said can deter younger people from engaging traditional outlets. 

“Millennials called out what they were saying about Gen Z and work ethic and teens not being able to find a job,” she said. “You don’t understand it’s very out of touch to say something like that, given what’s going on in the economy.”

Social media, on the other hand, provides a unique platform that no news outlets can: collective commentary.

“I feel like when I’m on TikTok, I could actually see how people feel and agree on the same story,” McNeal said. “You could see it in real time, how people feel about something”

Sha’Nautica Nuness, a senior mass communication student at JCSU and president of the campus chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, said the approach to accuracy is what makes news outlets credible.

“A social media outlet, they have that AI fact checkers on Google, just to make sure that everything that’s coming out is authentic,” she said. “I feel like things are so easily misconstrued, because not many people are held accountable.

“I was an intern at WBTV. We will always go to the courthouse, and we will always make sure that everything that you know we’re getting public, and also what we’re getting is truthful…and it comes from an actual real source. I know that if you’re coming from not just social media, but a real news outlet is usually coming from a primary source, like the courthouse in the files, the real files in the police reports.” 

Sha'Nautica Nuness, a senior mass communications major at Johnson C. Smith University, believes an emphasis on accuracy separates journalism producers from online content creators.

UNC Charlotte student Libni Garza Hernandez said the kind of content she engages led her to make lifestyle changes such as being more environmentally friendly and cautious in consumption habits. 

“My feed has mostly become…switch away from plastic and go to a glass, or stainless steel, and…pans that are made out of Teflon are the best option,” she said. “I think that’s usually what my media is about – what’s geared towards me.”

Instagram has allowed Hernandez to be more aware of non-animal cruelty products and mindful of consumption habits such as buying fewer synthetic materials. 

“My spending habits have improved after…if I keep on buying plastic junk that are gonna end up in a landfill, I should probably look for alternative things that I can buy that will be reusable in the future,” she said. “If it's made out of polyester, you should probably not buy it, it’s not gonna last you that long because … at the end of the day, you’re just wearing plastic, right?”

Nuness feels traditional and social media often gear towards sensationalism to engage audience.

“Coming from Gen Z, they’re looking for something that's going to create a fitting feeling, or like a fantasy,” she said. “Things like ‘Love Island’ because that’s all I see all over social media…I feel like they’re looking for more of a feeling when they get online, or when they want to hear a big title.”

Although informative, Hernandez believes social media can instill fear as well.

“I would get reels back-to-back,” she said. … “Polyester is terrible for you, and this, and that, or it affects your reproductive [system], or harms your health, and such, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ I feel like to some extent, yes, plastic isn’t good also, where it ends up on earth is terrible, but I feel like sometimes it kind of ends up being fear mongering.” 

No matter how believable some information is presented, Hernandez said she is cautious when consuming social media and urges verification.

“I don’t always trust the sources, because I feel like some things are a bit of a stretch,” she said. 

Hernandez and McNeal contend traditional news outlets are often negative, which is a turn-off.

“It’s just a terrible way to start the day,” Hernandez said. “Listening to the news first thing in the morning, there's always something tragic going on. I feel like sometimes it's a little biased.”

McNeal notices how Gen Z doesn’t appreciate how they’re seen by the media. 

“I don’t think they target it in a way that’s respectful and promotes Gen Z in a good light, given what they’ll say about Gen Z’s work ethic, among many other things,” she said, “But I’ve just noticed the things that Gen Z doesn’t want to do are things that maybe previous generations have done. Any news platform that’s been around that’s not in touch with how people feel, it’s gonna ruffle the wrong feathers.” 

To Nuness, people are getting their news on social media is because of the accessibility and reliance on technology for everything. 

“I do think everybody's on TikTok, no matter the generation,” she said. “It's right at the tip of your [finger], people wake up and get on social media. Everything’s in the phone, your entertainment’s in the phone…fast-paced information. It’s all there. 

Rivens contends change is inevitable when it comes to traditional news outlets adjusting to a new era. Younger consumers are pushing them to pivot.

“Media outlets are having to merge, combine, downsize even more, and we see that happening all around us, and it will continue because the consumer has changed their viewing and listening habits,” she said. “The way to survive is to adapt, and sometimes that means elimination of jobs, sometimes that means going completely digital.”

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