THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SHAPING NEWS CONSUMPTION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The review examines studies published between 2012 and 2026 that examine the impact of social media on how young adults consume news. The literature shows that social media has become a main source of news, taking the place of traditional media due to the availability of news through mobile devices in a personalised and continuous manner. (Social media and News Fact Sheet, 2025) Young adults often get their news from websites and platforms designed for social communication and entertainment, and the information they see is shaped by algorithms, their peer networks, influencers, and individual news producers, affecting how reliable it is perceived to be and how it is interpreted. Duvekot et al. (2024) The research shows that social media encourages people to participate by commenting, sharing, and discussing, but it also leads to selective exposure, information overload, news avoidance, and the rapid spread of misinformation. Heseltine (2025) A first search of the Google Scholar database found 25 studies, 19 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria: four were quantitative, five were mixed-methods, nine were qualitative, and one was a review. Vázquez-Herrero et al. (2022) Each study was assessed for importance and quality, and the selection process is shown in the PRISMA flow diagram. The results show that social media has become a major route for young adults to access news; yet trust in news from social media remains low and is determined by source credibility and verification practices. (Younger adults trust info from social media sites as much as that from national news organizations, 2025) Young adults operate in a mixed-media environment in which traditional media still maintain credibility, while algorithms, peer networks, and visually convenient formats drive exposure and engagement. Duvekot et al. (2024) Even though there is high consumption of digital news, critical engagement is inconsistent, and offline civic participation does not always occur, revealing a gap between awareness and action. Shearer et al. (2026, July 16)