Social Media News Consumption Enhances Knowledge and Trust

In a study led by researchers at the University of Zurich and the University of California, it has been demonstrated that following news on social media can significantly enhance users' knowledge and trust in media. Published in *Nature Human Behaviour* on July 1, 2025, the research involved over 3,000 participants from France and Germany, who were incentivized to engage with politically balanced news sources on platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp for a duration of two weeks.

Social media, which now accounts for more than 60% of global information consumption, has often been criticized for proliferating misinformation and low-quality content, which can mislead users. Factors such as algorithmic recommendations favoring sensational content over factual reporting contribute to a heightened atmosphere of polarization and confusion among users. Addressing this challenge, many interventions have aimed to reduce the spread of false content; however, the current study took a different approach by promoting verified news sources instead.

The participants were divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group was instructed to follow two verified news accounts, while the control group followed non-news accounts focused on entertainment and lifestyle. The study's primary objectives were to evaluate the effects on knowledge of current events, belief accuracy, and trust in news organizations.

Key findings from the study revealed a small but statistically significant increase in participants’ knowledge of current affairs and their ability to differentiate between true and false news stories. Participants in the treatment group exhibited improved awareness of accurate news and expressed greater trust in the news organizations they followed. The researchers attributed these positive outcomes to increased exposure to quality news content and a conducive environment for learning.

Despite the short duration of the experiment, the results suggest that even minimal engagement with verified news can enhance information retention and user trust. Interestingly, participants who activated notifications for news accounts displayed even greater improvements in their knowledge and trust metrics.

Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, the study’s lead author, noted that this research challenges the prevailing narrative that social media is predominantly harmful. Instead, it underscores the potential for social platforms to serve as vehicles for reliable information dissemination. She emphasized the need for further investigations to explore the long-term effects of news consumption on social media and its generalizability across different platforms and demographics.

With social media channels increasingly downranking news content, this study presents a counterargument, indicating a latent demand for trustworthy news among users. It highlights the possibility of leveraging social media as a tool for fostering a more informed public, suggesting that enhancing access to verified information could be a viable strategy in combating misinformation. As the landscape of media consumption continues to evolve, the implications of this research may play a crucial role in shaping future media literacy initiatives and public trust in journalism.