WHAT THE DATA SAY: 85% of young people get their news from social media

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

SOCIAL MEDIA IS TODAY’S TOP NEWS SOURCE

Americans are leaning away from traditional news outlets in favor of new and social media, according to our latest Harris Poll research.

• 66% of Americans stay up to date on the news – up 6 points from 2023.
• The most trusted news sources today are friends and family (86%), local TV (72%) and local newspapers/websites (70%).
• Least trusted are social media influencers (32%), social media stories (35%) and national politicians (41%).
• Sources viewed are the most biased are social media influencers (84%), social media stories (82%) and national politicians (82%).
• Despite perceptions of bias, 66% turn to social media for news (86% Gen Z, 84% Millennials, 66% Gen X and 36% Boomers).
• Top social media platforms for news: YouTube (62%), Facebook (55%, down 5 points from 2023), Instagram (45%), podcasts (40%), TikTok (38%), AI agents (36%), X (34%), Reddit (30%, up 4 points from 2023) and Twitch (17%).
• 64% of Americans are turning to independent and new outlets for news over mainstream news media.
• 81% trust non-mainstream news outlets more or the same as traditional media.

SIDE HUSTLES DURING SHUTDOWN

Americans are feeling anxious about their finances due to the government shutdown, and half say they’re ready to start a side hustle, based on our HarrisX research with GoDaddy.

• 61% of American adults and 76% of federal government employees are concerned about the impact the government shutdown will have on their personal finances.
• 56% of federal employees and 34% of adults say the government shutdown already has made them less confident about the stability of their income.
• 71% are concerned about the potential impact on small businesses, and 64% are concerned about the potential impact on consumer spending.
• 63% of federal employees and 41% of Americans report reducing spending in response to the shutdown.
• 44% of government employees and 29% of all consumers say they are delaying major purchases.
• 39% of federal employees say they are already dipping into savings to cover expenses because of the government shutdown.
• 70% of Americans and 67% of federal employees say they need to find new ways to generate income.
• 50% of Americans and 41% of federal employees will likely start a business or side hustle if their income is disrupted by the shutdown.

SOCIAL MEDIA MODERATION

New York state recently passed a law mandating social media platforms to report if and how they manage hate speech. Yet consumers are split on their feelings about social media moderation, according to our research from Stagwell’s National Research Group.

• 39% want the government to be less involved in how social media platforms moderate content (25% say more involved).
• 31% say the government is too strict in its approach to control social media, 36% say “it’s about right,” and 32% say it’s too lenient.
• 44% want social media companies to use independent fact checkers to moderate content.
• 12% want no moderation at all.

WOMENS’ SILENT GRIEF

Our Harris Poll research continues to highlight the knowledge disparity and lack of resources for women during pregnancy.

• 78% of women underestimate the prevalence of miscarriages.
• 14% say their pregnancy/birth experience would have been improved if they had received support following a miscarriage or stillbirth.
• 76% believe employers should offer the same amount of paid leave to parents who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth as they do for those on maternity or paternity leave (higher for Black women at 84% and Hispanic women at 80%).

ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news

• How Communicators Can Turn AI Efficiency Into Strategic Impact
• 2025 Holiday Spending Report
• Gen Z Tries to Legitimize Sports Betting, and Employees Will RTO if The Office Comes Alive
• From Smash Bros. to the Creator Economy
• AI Can Create — But It Still Can’t Fully Communicate What Matters