Latest news with #Google–Kantar
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
91% Gen Z rely on social media platforms for news, says Google-Kantar study
A new Google–Kantar report, Bridging the Gap: Reimagining News for Gen Z, offers a detailed look into how India's youth, aged 15 to 28, are changing the way news is than turning away from current affairs, Gen Z is reshaping the process to fit their digital-first, highly visual findings show that 87 percent of urban Gen Zers are online, compared to 75 percent of the overall urban As digital natives, they prefer news that is emotionally resonant, visually compelling, and relevant to their personal interests. The traditional, linear presentation of information is losing ground to formats that feel interactive, quick, and more MEDIA TAKES THE LEADFor most of this generation, the news cycle begins on social study revealed that 91 percent of Gen Z rely on social media platforms to discover news, with 88 percent using video platforms. News is often encountered during idle scrolling, commutes, or short breaks rather than through deliberate visits to traditional and influencers play a significant role in shaping their news consumption 48 percent of Gen Zers prefer following creators for niche topics or civic issues. However, trust levels remain higher for established media houses; 47 percent of respondents trust news organisations compared to 38-39 percent for AND RELATABILITY DRIVE ENGAGEMENTGen Z's choice of language shifts with the format. When it comes to reading, 42 percent prefer English. However, for video and audio content, the preference strongly tilts towards local languages, 56 percent and 57 percent respectively. The use of local languages in audio-visual news makes it more relatable, accessible, and easier to share within their social expect stories to do more than simply convey facts. Emotional storytelling, interactive features, and visual elements are key to keeping their attention. News that mirrors their everyday digital experiences is far more appealing than dry, formal AI AS A NEWS COMPANIONOne of the most striking findings is the role of generative AI in their news report found that 84 percent of Gen Zers use AI tools to interpret news, whether by simplifying complex topics, verifying authenticity, or translating content into preferred is becoming a central part of how this generation understands and processes BUT CURIOUSTrust remains a half (49 percent) say they are wary of news from unverified sources, and 43 percent make it a point to verify information before sharing it. When it comes to sensitive subjects such as health or finance, 39 percent actively THIS MEANS FOR PUBLISHERSadvertisementThe report makes it clear that Gen Z isn't rejecting journalism, they are redefining connect with them, publishers must embrace social-first strategies, adopt visually rich storytelling, use local languages for audio-visual content, and incorporate AI-powered tools to help interpret and validate this generation, credible, emotionally engaging, and visually dynamic content is not optional, it's essential.- Ends
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
84% of Gen Z use GenAI to interpret news: What it reveals about today's learners
There was a time when 'understanding the news' meant listening to a trusted anchor or pouring over the morning paper. Trust and context came from a handful of familiar voices, and the boundaries of interpretation were largely set by editorial judgement. That seems like an obsolete memory and the world is fading fast. A new cohort, born in an era of search engines, social feeds, and on-demand answers, is shattering those boundaries and building its own pathways to comprehension. Generation Z as the definition and news headlines often say is a generation that is altering the status quo of the society. They have something different to serve, sometimes in terms of workplace culture, and in other forms of learning. The latest Google–Kantar study delivers a telling statistic: 84% of Gen Z have used generative AI to make sense of the news they consume. This is not mere curiosity about the newest tech toy. It is an intentional, almost instinctive, act of reframing information, taking raw reports and filtering them through an intelligent system to extract meaning, simplify complexity, or bridge linguistic gaps. News as raw material, not a finished product Gen Z, defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, is the most connected generation in history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jolie-Pitt Family Shows Support For Shiloh's Change Drivepedia Undo Grown up with smartphones and internet accessibility, this generation thinks in a way that their predecessors could never try. Even in news, they disagree to believe what is presented, rather dig out the roots, and then pour into the depths. The study shows 38% turn to AI to fill knowledge gaps, 43% seek it for quick clarity, and 36% use it to translate content. These choices reflect a fundamental shift in mindset. The news is no longer a static product delivered by a newsroom; it is a fluid dataset that can be broken down, repackaged, and customised to fit the reader's own cognitive and cultural lens. A generation wary of blind trust While critics often claim younger generations trust online sources too much. But the numbers speak quite differently. Nearly half of Gen Z actively distrusts unverified reports, and 43% verify messages before forwarding them as suggested by the report. While the stakes are higher, stories involving health, safety, or money, scrutiny intensifies: 39% fact-check such claims, while 36% seek additional proof if none is presented. Interestingly, the habit is more pronounced outside metro cities, where 42% fact-check sensitive content compared to 37% in metros, suggests the Google-Kantar study. This hints at a widening spread of digital scepticism, one that extends far beyond the media-savvy urban elite. Creators, platforms, and the question of trust For news access, Gen Z is clear in its preferences: 91% favour social media, with video platforms close behind at 88%. Within that space, 48% follow creators, whether niche experts or civic commentators, while 43% choose established news organisations as the data survey reports. Yet when the issue is trust, legacy outlets still hold the edge, scoring 47% compared to 38–39% for creator-led content. The duality emphasises the Gen Z paradox: A hunger for personalised, engaging narratives, tempered by a recognition that credibility cannot be sacrificed. The language of connection While English remains the preferred reading language for 42% of respondents, the switch is dramatic when the format changes. In audio and video, local languages dominate, attracting 57% for their ease of understanding, emotional resonance, and shareability. This dual-language behaviour positions Gen Z as both global consumers and local custodians, equally comfortable in a streaming lecture from the US and a regional-language news recap on their phone. What this says about today's learners Taken together, these findings reveal a generation reshaping the architecture of learning. They are not passive recipients of information but active interpreters, curators, and verifiers. In classrooms, this approach can accelerate critical thinking and adaptability; in society, it can foster a more discerning public. But it also raises questions. When interpretation is outsourced to AI, does human judgment strengthen, or atrophy? Will the speed of machine-generated clarity crowd out the slow, sometimes messy process of forming independent perspectives? While, their dependence on AI is at surge, the uncertainty dwells whether it is crippling the present generation and handing over the powers to the artificial intelligence, or it is strengthening them to see beyond what is shown. All of it depends, on the way the technology is leveraged and integrated into the lives that will decide the fate of the current generation. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
