Teens junk food information diet generates concerns
Part I
How worried should we be about an ignorant younger generation fattened up on propaganda, marketing pap, social media hype, and influencer-peddled information junk food?

On one hand, the 13 young journalists who participated in the East-West Center Summer Journalism Camp last month in Honolulu left me encouraged. These teens were analytical, critical thinkers who justifiably approach the news they consume with caution and skepticism. As young journalists themselves, they understand the difference between some bloviating influencer on YouTube and actual news.

Sadly, according to a recent alarming study that details how, where, and from whom teens get the information they consume, these teenage journalists may be the exception rather than the rule. 

One cause for alarm is where teens get their news. According to a Media Insight Project study, a whopping 81% of teens get their news from influencers or independent creators “at least sometimes.” (Overall, 57%  of American teens and adults get news from influencers or independent creators at least sometimes.) The study shows that 57% of teens get news daily from Social Media, in contrast to 30-36% for adults 35 and older. Teens get more news from Social Media than any other source.

This is a problem of course because much of the information spewed by influencers and digital content creators on social media is often uninformed and unverified—the very antithesis of credible news produced by journalists. A UNESCO study shows that 62% of digital content creators don’t fact check. “The survey uncovered trends in how creators assess information credibility including 42% who use social media metrics like likes and shares as primary credibility markers, while 21% of respondents share content based solely on trust in friends who shared it,” according to the study. 

It's even worse for fitness influencers. A study shows that less than 3% of fitness posts were supported by a valid scientific information, with advice instead being driven by personal opinions or commercial/brand sponsorships. 

Not only is the information teens primarily rely on of poor quality, it’s being delivered by unqualified self-promoters and entertainers rather than subject matter experts. Studies have shown that content creators usually lack professional credentials or qualifications in their respective fields, and instead draw followers based on their looks or charisma. For example, a Pew Research study showed that while 41% of health influencers claim some form of health care experience, yet only 17% hold traditional medical credentials, such as being a doctor, nurse, or other certified health care professional. The same holds true for fitness influencers, less than 20% of whom have professional qualifications or credentials.

When it comes to what kinds of information teens consume, the news doesn’t get any better. We’ll look at that aspect of the issue in part two of this report, and discuss how we might help teens improve their information diet.