Gen Z Faces Rising Concerns about Susceptibility to Misinformation

In what has become a concerning trend, a growing number of young adults are increasingly relying on social media platforms—particularly TikTok—as their primary source of information, often accepting unverified claims as fact without further research.

The phenomenon is becoming noticeable in everyday interactions, with many social groups now routinely questioning whether information being shared originated from TikTok and whether any independent verification took place. Unfortunately, the answer is frequently negative.

Misinformation circulating on these platforms ranges from the bizarre to the potentially dangerous. Notable examples include a period when some TikTok users seriously questioned Helen Keller’s life achievements, suggesting she had fabricated her story of succeeding despite being deaf and blind. More recently, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton that devastated parts of North Carolina and Florida, conspiracy theories about government “geo-engineering” gained significant traction, with some users claiming Democrats deliberately targeted Republican-heavy regions.

Health misinformation also flourishes on the platform. The latest trend involves young people using beef tallow as skincare, despite explicit warnings from dermatologists against the practice. Some teenagers are now walking around smelling of fryer grease as a result of these viral videos promoting unverified health claims.

Underlying this phenomenon is a profound distrust in traditional institutions. From educational systems to meteorological services and healthcare authorities, younger generations are increasingly skeptical of established information sources. This distrust extends to mainstream media, with polling indicating that only 16 percent of Generation Z members express strong confidence in news organizations.

This institutional skepticism has driven many young people away from traditional publications toward unverified social media accounts that perform minimal fact-checking, creating a perfect environment for misinformation to thrive.

The political implications are significant. Without intervention, a growing segment of voters will likely fall victim to false information and fringe conspiracy theories, potentially driving American political polarization to unprecedented levels.

When Gen Z does attempt to verify information, their approach differs significantly from traditional fact-checking methods. Rather than consulting established sources, many simply turn to comment sections, relying on what pollster Daniel Cox describes as “aggregate trust”—similar to how they might use review platforms like Yelp or Amazon.

This approach is problematic because social media algorithms create echo chambers, feeding content to like-minded individuals who share similar perspectives regardless of accuracy. “The algorithm helps segregate people in ways that are profoundly concerning,” Cox explains. “We’re not sharing the same experiences online—we’re having very discrete, different experiences based on gender, sexual orientation, or politics. Everything you’re experiencing, you can find some kind of validation for online.”

The issue transcends political lines. Both supporters and critics of political figures like former President Donald Trump are susceptible to false information that aligns with their existing worldview. A prime example was a fake AI-generated audio clip purportedly featuring Trump suggesting Washington, D.C., be renamed “District of America.” Despite being debunked, videos featuring the clip garnered hundreds of thousands of likes, with comment sections largely accepting it as authentic.

These algorithmic echo chambers have contributed to Generation Z’s increasing receptiveness to conspiracy theories. The stereotype of conspiracy theorists has evolved from isolated individuals to social media users enclosed in political bubbles who are particularly vulnerable to misinformation.

However, young people shouldn’t bear sole responsibility for their limited digital literacy. Educational approaches may inadvertently contribute to the problem. Traditional close-reading techniques taught in schools can reinforce the idea that students should analyze individual pieces of content rather than cross-reference information through external sources like search engines.

Rakoen Maertens, a behavioral scientist at the University of Oxford, notes that Gen Z’s vulnerability stems not only from social media habits but also from having fewer life experiences to help distinguish fact from fiction. Maertens, who helped develop a test measuring susceptibility to fake headlines, suggests that while Gen Z members are currently most likely to accept misinformation, they may develop better detection skills over time.

A more concerning possibility, however, is that older generations may adopt similar media consumption habits as digital platforms become increasingly integrated into daily life, potentially making them equally susceptible to misinformation and conspiracy theories.

“It is a systematic issue,” experts emphasize. “The evidence clearly shows that people of all ages struggle to navigate the overwhelming amount of information they encounter online, highlighting the need for better approaches to helping individuals make sense of the content streaming across their devices.”