According to a recent Google-Kantar report, 91% of Gen Z news consumption India rely on social media. This generation, aged between 15 and 28, prefers content that feels real, relatable, and quick to absorb.
| Insight | Percentage (%) |
| Gen Z using social media for news | 91% |
| Use of video platforms for news | 88% |
| Urban Gen Z online presence | 87% |
| Use of AI tools to process news | 84% |
| Trust in news organisations | 47% |
| Trust in creators/influencers | 38–39% |
What Drives Gen Z News Habits?
- Format over formality: Gen Z does not reject news. Instead, they want it in short, visual, and interactive formats.
- Scrolling, not searching: Most news comes during idle browsing, not from directly visiting news websites.
- Influencers matter: About 48% prefer creators for niche topics like civic issues or climate.
- Language choices:
- 42% prefer English for reading
- 56% choose local languages for video
- 57% for audio content
Role of AI
Gen Z uses AI tools to simplify, verify, and even translate news. These tools help them process large or complex topics easily and quickly.
Trust and Caution
- 49% are cautious of unverified news
- 43% verify before sharing
- 39% double-check sensitive topics like health or finance
Study With Me Trend: A Gen Z Learning Tool or Digital Distraction?
What Publishers Should Do
To connect with Gen Z, news providers should:
- Focus on social-first platforms
- Use local languages for videos and audio
- Include visual and emotional elements
- Offer AI-driven support for better understanding
Gen Z is not losing interest in news — they’re just redefining how they want to consume it.
