Demographic Divides in Social Media News Consumption Revealed
Washington D.C. – A new Pew Research Center survey conducted August 18-24, 2025, reveals notable demographic differences in how U.S. adults consume news on social media platforms. The data highlights varying levels of regular news consumption across racial and ethnic groups, offering insights into the evolving media landscape and potential implications for facts access and civic engagement.
While social media remains a key news source for many americans,patterns of usage differ considerably. The study examined regular news consumption on various platforms among White, Black, Hispanic, and asian adults, revealing distinct preferences and habits. These findings are notably relevant as concerns grow about misinformation and the fragmentation of the news ecosystem, underscoring the need to understand how different communities access and engage with news online.
here’s a breakdown of regular news consumption by demographic group, based on the survey data:
Regular News Consumption by platform (percentage of adults)
| Platform | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 46 | 39 | 39 | |
| YouTube | 56 | 34 | 43 | 40 |
| TikTok | 32 | 87 | 61 | 13 |
| X (formerly Twitter) | 43 | 40 | 32 | 8 |
| 46 | 49 | 58 | 56 | |
| 42 | 63 | 52 | 54 |
Note: Estimates for asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
The survey also noted that only respondents who indicated thay use each site were asked if they regularly get news on it. Social media sites are presented in descending order based on the share of U.S. adults who regularly get news there. Racial and ethnic classifications include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic; Hispanic adults are of any race.
