Nearly Half of Adolescents Believe News Shared on Social Media

In a recent survey exploring how news consumption affects young people’s relationships, findings reveal that while news serves as a social connector, it can also become a source of discord among adolescents.

The nationwide survey, conducted by Survation for BBC Education, gathered responses from 2,019 participants aged 11-16 across all four nations of the United Kingdom—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

According to the results, more than one in five young people (22%) reported that they “often” or “sometimes” experience disagreements with friends due to differing opinions about current events. This statistic highlights the increasingly polarized nature of news consumption and its potential impact on social relationships during formative years.

The research also uncovered interesting patterns in how young people share news content. Half of the respondents indicated they were significantly more likely to share news stories with friends and family if the content evoked positive emotions. In contrast, only 13% said they would share news that made them feel sad, while 15% would share stories that triggered anger.

This selective sharing behavior reflects broader trends in social media engagement, where positive content typically generates more interactions than negative news. Media psychologists have long noted that this preference for sharing positive news can create information bubbles where more challenging or distressing world events receive less attention within peer groups.

The findings come at a critical time when media literacy among young people has become a growing concern for educators and parents. With the proliferation of news sources and the increasing challenge of distinguishing between reliable reporting and misinformation, young people face unique challenges in navigating the modern information landscape.

BBC Education has incorporated these survey results into its broader “Other Side of the Story” initiative, which aims to enhance news literacy among young audiences. The project provides resources to help adolescents better understand news content, recognize different perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills when consuming media.

Media education experts suggest that the tendency for news to cause arguments among young friends may actually represent an important developmental process, where adolescents learn to engage with differing viewpoints and form their own opinions about complex issues.

Dr. Emma Richardson, a youth media specialist at the University of Manchester who wasn’t involved in the study, commented on similar research: “These conversations, even when they lead to disagreements, are vital for developing critical thinking. The key is ensuring young people have the tools to engage with news constructively and recognize quality sources.”

The survey also indirectly highlights the emotional impact of news on young people, with their selective sharing behaviors suggesting they may be protecting themselves and others from potentially upsetting content.

Parents and educators can access additional information about the survey and supporting resources through BBC Bitesize, where comprehensive materials related to the “Other Side of the Story” project are available.

This research provides valuable insights for teachers, parents, and media organizations on how to better support young people in becoming informed citizens while maintaining healthy social relationships. As news consumption habits formed during adolescence often persist into adulthood, helping young people navigate these challenges could have lasting implications for media engagement and democratic participation.

The full findings of the survey and additional resources for supporting young people’s news literacy can be found on BBC Bitesize’s dedicated platform for the initiative.