Research from the Pew Research Center shows that a large percentage of young people consume at least some traditional news sources or network television. At the same time, public trust in the media has declined, with many Americans thinking that news organizations show political favoritism. Pew also reports that many teens say they are online “almost constantly” especially on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
At the same time, public trust in the media has declined, with many Americans thinking that news organizations show political favoritism. According to a survey reported by Education Week, 84% of teens say they believe news organizations spread misinformation or show bias in some way.
Teens today are not flipping through newspapers every morning. Instead, we scroll through TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, where political clips are shortened and often taken out of context. A report from The New York Times found that more than half of teens get news from social media at least once a week.
When teens are constantly exposed to political content while also believing that content is biased, it becomes hard to ignore the impact that may have on their opinions.
Unlike previous generations who relied on one or two major outlets, today’s teens are influenced by algorithms that show them content similar to what they already agree with. Over time, this can create echo chambers where different viewpoints are rarely seen.
Some argue that exposure to politics at a young age is not necessarily harmful. In fact, being aware of current events can encourage teens to become more involved. Pew Research has found that many teens say social media helps them stay informed about issues that matter to them.
However, awareness is different from balance. When news is framed in a way that clearly favors one side, it can shape how issues are understood before teens have the chance to explore multiple perspectives. Describing a policy as “protective” versus “extreme” changes how it feels emotionally. Highlighting certain statistics while ignoring others can completely shift the narrative.
Political bias in the media does affect teens’ opinions. The influence may not always be obvious, but framing, repetition and algorithms all play roles in shaping beliefs. Teenagers deserve access to information that challenges them to think critically, not pushes them toward a predetermined side. If we want informed future voters, the focus should not just be on consuming news, but questioning it.
