What % of U.S. adults regularly get news from news influencers on social media?

Written By Jonathan Milner

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. The term news influencers was defined in the survey above as “individuals who have a large following on social media and often post about news or political or social issues.” About one-in-five U.S. adults (21%) say they regularly get news from news influencers on social media. According to the visual above, what percent of younger Americans, ages 18-29 regularly get news from news influencers on social media?

  2. According to the visual above, what percent of younger Americans, ages 65 and up regularly get news from news influencers on social media??

  3. Using the data from the visual above make a claim about how age affects the impact of news influencers.

  4. Do you ever get news on political or social issues from news influencers?

  5. Based on the visual below* identify the number one reason for getting news from an influencer.

  6. According the Pew Research Center’s report, there is virtually no difference between Republicans and Democrats in the share who say they regularly get news from news influencers (21% and 22%, respectively, including those who lean to each party). Explain whether this surprises you.

  7. Identify one advantage to getting news from an influencer as opposed to a more traditional source of news (let’s call this legacy media) like a newspaper or radio.

  8. Identify one disadvantage to getting news from an influencer as opposed to legacy media.

  9. A 2024 Pew Research Center study from the Pew-Knight Initiative found that 77% of news influencers had no current or past affiliation with a news organization. Is that a good or bad thing?

  10. Zohran Mamdani won election to mayor of America’s richest and biggest city, New York. A big part of his campaign was run on social media. Explain how changes in the way American’s consume news media will impact future elections.

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

For one day day your news from a really boring legacy site like PBS. The next day, get your news from a news influencer on social media. Note the differences and share your experiences in class.

Get Creative

Imagine there was no internet. There is. Write a 180 word poem, rap, or essay about how would that change American politics.

Learning Extension

Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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