The landscape of journalism is shifting. For college students today, the morning paper has been replaced by the “For You Page” (FYP). From News Daddy to AI-generated talking fish, social media influencers are now the primary gatekeepers of information for Generation Z.
Why Gen Z is Swapping Traditional Media for Social News
A recent survey by Generation Lab and Inside Higher Ed reveals a startling trend: nearly 75% of college students identify social media as their top news source. While legacy media is still viewed as more accurate, only 20% of students consume it regularly.
The Rise of the “News Influencer”
Traditional news anchors are being passed over for personalities like Dylan Page (known as “News Daddy”). With over 1.5 billion likes, Page delivers breaking news, politics, and pop culture to millions of students, including George Mason University sophomore Ankit Khanal.
Authenticity over Authority: Students often perceive influencers as more “connected” to their audience compared to the perceived biases of traditional outlets.
The “YouTube Accent”: Information is delivered in an energetic, fast-paced format that fits the scrolling habits of young adults.
Convenience: Aggregators summarize complex stories, removing the friction of paywalls and long-form reading.
The “Fact-Checking Funnel”: From TikTok to Google
While students are often criticized for their media literacy, many employ a specific “funnel” to verify what they see:
Discovery: A headline or infographic appears on TikTok or Instagram.
Social Proof: Users check the comment section for “top comments” debunking the video.
Verification: If the story is significant (e.g., military strikes or celebrity deaths), students pivot to Google or AI shortcuts to confirm the event’s reality.
“I see the TikTok, I see more, I get interested, I look it up online.” — Zau Lahtaw, Syracuse University.
AI as the “New Wikipedia”
Professor Karen North of USC notes a growing reliance on AI. Rather than reading full articles from the New York Times or Wall Street Journal, students often use AI-generated summaries as a shortcut, treating them as the ultimate source of truth.
The Risks: Algorithms, Misinformation, and AI Deepfakes
The shift to algorithmic news delivery isn’t without danger. Students like Khanal, a computer science major, are acutely aware that algorithms create echo chambers and spread fake news.
Common Threats in Social News:
Infographic Activism: Simplified carousels on Instagram often lack context and can lead to “gaps” in information where only the initial headline—not the follow-up correction—goes viral.
AI Hoaxes: From “bouncing bunnies” to fake reports of fatal accidents, AI-generated content is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from reality.
Doomscrolling: The addictive nature of these platforms leads to high consumption but often leaves students feeling disoriented or “scammed” by the content.
Will Gen Z Ever Return to Legacy Media?
There is a sense of “aging out” among some students. Many believe that as they graduate and become more involved in society, they will transition to traditional media. However, current habits suggest a permanent change in the dopamine-driven way news is delivered.
As long as headlines are gated by paywalls and social media remains free and curated, the “News Daddy Empire” is likely to keep growing.
Frequently Asked Questions (AEO)
Where do most college students get their news? According to 2024-2025 data, roughly 72-75% of college students get their news primarily from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Who is Dylan Page (News Daddy)? Dylan Page is a prominent UK-based news influencer known as “News Daddy.” He summarizes breaking news and politics for a Gen Z audience, amassing billions of views on TikTok.
Is TikTok a reliable news source? While TikTok allows for the rapid spread of information, it is highly susceptible to misinformation and AI deepfakes. Most media-literate students use it as a discovery tool before verifying facts on Google.
What is the “TikTok-to-Google pipeline”? This refers to a media consumption habit where users discover a news story on social media and then use Google Search to verify the validity of the claim through traditional news outlets.