There’s no doubt that TikTok has been the go-to platform for online fun, interactivity and engagement for all ages in recent time; but has it also become the go-to platform for a daily dose of news? 

Research from Ofcom has suggested that UK adults are increasingly turning to the popular social media platform for the latest news. Their annual report revealed that approximately 7% of adults are opting for TikTok for the latest news; this is up from 1% in 2020 – when the app first started gaining popularity. The growth is primarily driven by young users, with half of its news followers aged 16 to 24.

The same report revealed that 14% of adults in the UK use WhatsApp for the latest news, up 1% compared to 2020. Google has also emerged as a popular news source; 15% of adults use Google for the latest news, compared to 12% in 2020. 

Although users are keeping up to date with the latest news on TikTok, the sources they’re following aren’t necessarily from household names such as BBC and The Guardian. They’re instead following fellow TikTok members without any journalistic experience. 

While this has been an effective way for users to engage and build a following, those in the journalism industry have not been welcoming to the trend – seeing it as the beginning of the end for traditional journalism. 

One of the key factors identified in Ofcom’s report is the way in which news is reported. Whilst the older generation may be used to and comfortable with the latest news being broadcast at set hours and via newspapers and radio, younger people are likely to find out  about the latest ongoings via their social media feeds. 

Although there’s a slight increase in adults using TikTok for news, it still isn’t considered as a trustworthy source. 

Nic Newman, a senior research associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study Journalism, said the institute’s own research indicated that TikTok was not used as a platform for serious news.

“Even young people, mostly, don’t see it as a platform for serious news. But they see it as a good place to get news about celebrity or issues that are not about life and death. They will often use TikTok in combination with traditional news when something really big happens like the war in Ukraine,” he said.

However, a UK-based generation Z marketing agency called Fanbytes, said TikTok creators are making news “more accessible”. 

“Tiktok shouldn’t be viewed only as an entertainment platform. It is an active participant in popular culture, with people using the platform to be updated on social movements and news affairs,” said Emily Hall, a campaign manager at Fanbytes.