Some 44% of young Europeans from Generation Z use social networks to learn new things. But why do these platforms appeal so much to Gen Z and Millennials? Because, while they may not trust these sources of information, they do offer a multitude of points of view - something that Gen Z users appreciate.

In Europe, more than two in five young people from Generation Z turn to social networks to learn new things, according to a survey conducted by YPulse. Conducted among 2,500 young people aged 13 to 39 in the UK, Italy, Spain, France and Germany in July 2023, the survey looked at the reasons why young people turn to social networks as a source of learning.

And despite their scepticism about the veracity of information found online, young people appreciate the diversity of points of view that enable them to form their own opinions, notes YPulse. In fact, 60% of 13 and 22 year-olds even say that social networks are the best place to learn more about a subject, thanks to the diversity of viewpoints.

The majority of Gen Zers are aware that information found on social networks can be inaccurate, or even completely false. Only a quarter are certain of the relevance of the information they might find. Over two-thirds of European Gen Zers agree that social networks are full of fake news, from mass disinformation to conspiracy theories.

Among a list of 12 sources considered the most reliable by the young people surveyed, social networks come in sixth place. Gen Zers place more importance on information provided by people they know personally, and also from Wikipedia. Gen Zers in Europe are twice as likely to agree that experts and certified professionals provide them with accurate information compared to social media, YPulse reports.

 - AFP Relaxnews