Social media becomes the world’s leading news source, driven by youth and AI, study says

France 24· June 20, 2026

Social media has emerged as the world's primary source for news, surpassing traditional outlets according to a new report. This trend is being fueled by younger audiences who prefer digital-first platforms and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in news curation. For the social media industry, this shift represents a pivotal moment where platforms are now the central gatekeepers of global information. The findings suggest that the sector's influence on public discourse is reaching unprecedented levels as traditional media consumption continues to decline.

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