Where Americans Turn First for Breaking News

As breaking news events unfold, Americans are increasingly turning to a diverse range of sources for information, reflecting a fragmented media landscape. Whereas traditional news organizations remain a primary source, search engines and social media are playing a growing role, particularly among younger demographics. A recent Pew Research Center survey sheds light on these evolving news consumption habits.

Shifting News Consumption Patterns

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in December 2025, 36% of U.S. Adults typically turn to their preferred news organization first when a breaking news event occurs. This is a decrease from 2018, when a majority (54%) relied on news organizations as their initial source. The rise of digital platforms has led to a more distributed information ecosystem.

Currently, 28% of Americans head to search engines like Google or Bing for breaking news and 19% turn to social media platforms. A smaller percentage, 5%, consult friends, family, or acquaintances. Emerging technologies like AI chatbots are still in their early stages of adoption for news, with only 1% of adults using them as a primary source.

The Role of Age in News Consumption

Significant differences exist in how different age groups access breaking news. Adults 65 and older are approximately four times more likely than those aged 18-29 to prioritize their preferred news organization (59% vs. 14%).

Younger adults demonstrate a stronger preference for digital platforms. 31% of those aged 18-29 turn to social media first, compared to just 6% of those 65 and older. Similarly, 41% of 18-29 year olds start with a search engine, while only 15% of those 65+ do.

These trends align with previous Pew Research Center findings indicating that younger adults are more likely to get news from social media and exhibit greater trust in information found on these platforms. A recent study showed that adults 18-29 are now equally likely to trust information from social media and national news organizations.

Key Takeaways

• Declining Reliance on Traditional News: The share of Americans turning to their preferred news organization first for breaking news has decreased since 2018.
• Rise of Digital Platforms: Search engines and social media are increasingly important sources of breaking news.
• Age-Based Differences: Younger adults favor digital platforms, while older adults still prioritize traditional news organizations.
• Emerging Technologies: AI chatbots are currently a minimal source of breaking news, but their role may evolve.

About the Research

The findings are based on a Pew Research Center survey of 3,560 U.S. Adults conducted from December 8-14, 2025, using the American Trends Panel. The survey also incorporates data from a nationally representative study conducted in February-March 2018.

You can find more details about the methodology, survey questions, and detailed responses at: Survey Questionnaire, Detailed Responses, and Methodology.

This analysis is a product of the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation. Learn more at https://www.pewresearch.org/pew-knight/.