GITNUXREPORT 2025

Media Literacy Statistics

Most Americans and teens struggle to identify misinformation online confidently.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

74% of adults think schools should do more to teach digital literacy skills

Statistic 2

59% of adults feel unable to identify misinformation online

Statistic 3

Only 26% of US adults can identify fact from opinion

Statistic 4

45% of students worldwide cannot distinguish between advertising and editorial content

Statistic 5

45% of Americans do not regularly question the accuracy of online content

Statistic 6

18% of adults regularly share news without reading it thoroughly

Statistic 7

38% of students report feeling unprepared to critically evaluate online sources

Statistic 8

75% of educators agree that media literacy should be integrated into school curriculums

Statistic 9

48% of adults find it difficult to determine if an online article is credible

Statistic 10

85% of teachers believe media literacy helps students become better citizens

Statistic 11

41% of young adults struggle to differentiate between sponsored content and genuine news

Statistic 12

72% of internet users say their ability to spot fake news has improved because of media literacy education

Statistic 13

65% of teens are concerned about online privacy and misinformation

Statistic 14

80% of teachers agree media literacy promotes critical thinking skills

Statistic 15

misinformation spreads 6 times faster than factual information on social media

Statistic 16

69% of adults say that misinformation causes greater confusion about current events

Statistic 17

60% of young people believe that fake news is widespread online

Statistic 18

52% of Americans say they encounter fake news at least once a week

Statistic 19

44% of US teens say they have been exposed to misinformation online

Statistic 20

59% of teachers report that students often encounter misinformation on social media

Statistic 21

58% of college students say they frequently encounter fake news

Statistic 22

23% of media content online is believed to be misleading or false

Statistic 23

81% of teens say they have encountered false or misleading information online

Statistic 24

66% of Americans believe that social media companies should be legally responsible for misinformation

Statistic 25

68% of adults think social media is a primary source of misinformation

Statistic 26

42% of Americans believe that the government should do more to regulate online misinformation

Statistic 27

54% of Americans believe they are better at identifying misinformation than others

Statistic 28

31% of US adults say they rarely or never question the source of news before sharing

Statistic 29

51% of Americans feel confident in their ability to identify fake news

Statistic 30

64% of college students believe that social media can be a reliable news source if used critically

Statistic 31

87% of teenagers trust their friends more than news outlets for information

Statistic 32

70% of teenagers access social media multiple times a day

Statistic 33

91% of Americans get at least some of their news from social media

Statistic 34

73% of teachers feel unprepared to teach media literacy

Statistic 35

Only 23% of teachers feel confident teaching about digital literacy

Statistic 36

19% of teachers have no formal training in media literacy

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Key Highlights

87% of teenagers trust their friends more than news outlets for information
59% of adults feel unable to identify misinformation online
Only 26% of US adults can identify fact from opinion
70% of teenagers access social media multiple times a day
91% of Americans get at least some of their news from social media
73% of teachers feel unprepared to teach media literacy
45% of students worldwide cannot distinguish between advertising and editorial content
misinformation spreads 6 times faster than factual information on social media
69% of adults say that misinformation causes greater confusion about current events
60% of young people believe that fake news is widespread online
45% of Americans do not regularly question the accuracy of online content
18% of adults regularly share news without reading it thoroughly
Only 23% of teachers feel confident teaching about digital literacy

In an era where 91% of Americans turn to social media for news, and over half of adults struggle to distinguish fact from fiction, the urgent need for media literacy education has never been clearer.

Education Challenges

74% of adults think schools should do more to teach digital literacy skills

Education Challenges Interpretation

With 74% of adults advocating for more digital literacy in schools, it's clear we're all navigating the internet's uncharted waters and need better maps—before new digital pitfalls become tomorrow's headlines.

Media Literacy and Education Challenges

59% of adults feel unable to identify misinformation online
Only 26% of US adults can identify fact from opinion
45% of students worldwide cannot distinguish between advertising and editorial content
45% of Americans do not regularly question the accuracy of online content
18% of adults regularly share news without reading it thoroughly
38% of students report feeling unprepared to critically evaluate online sources
75% of educators agree that media literacy should be integrated into school curriculums
48% of adults find it difficult to determine if an online article is credible
85% of teachers believe media literacy helps students become better citizens
41% of young adults struggle to differentiate between sponsored content and genuine news
72% of internet users say their ability to spot fake news has improved because of media literacy education
65% of teens are concerned about online privacy and misinformation
80% of teachers agree media literacy promotes critical thinking skills

Media Literacy and Education Challenges Interpretation

Amidst a digital landscape where nearly three-quarters of adults and students struggle to discern fact from fiction, experts and educators agree that embedding media literacy into education isn’t just beneficial—it's essential for cultivating informed citizens in the age of misinformation.

Misinformation and Fake News Prevalence

misinformation spreads 6 times faster than factual information on social media
69% of adults say that misinformation causes greater confusion about current events
60% of young people believe that fake news is widespread online
52% of Americans say they encounter fake news at least once a week
44% of US teens say they have been exposed to misinformation online
59% of teachers report that students often encounter misinformation on social media
58% of college students say they frequently encounter fake news
23% of media content online is believed to be misleading or false
81% of teens say they have encountered false or misleading information online

Misinformation and Fake News Prevalence Interpretation

With misinformation spreading six times faster than facts and over half of Americans and teens encountering it regularly, it’s clear that in the digital age, truth is often the first casualty in the race to be the loudest—making media literacy not just important, but essential.

Public Awareness and Perceptions on Information Trustworthiness

66% of Americans believe that social media companies should be legally responsible for misinformation
68% of adults think social media is a primary source of misinformation
42% of Americans believe that the government should do more to regulate online misinformation
54% of Americans believe they are better at identifying misinformation than others
31% of US adults say they rarely or never question the source of news before sharing
51% of Americans feel confident in their ability to identify fake news
64% of college students believe that social media can be a reliable news source if used critically

Public Awareness and Perceptions on Information Trustworthiness Interpretation

Despite widespread concern and confidence in navigating misinformation, over half of Americans admit to sharing news without questioning its source, highlighting a troubling disconnect between perceived media literacy and actual vigilance in the digital age.

Social Media Influence and Behavior

87% of teenagers trust their friends more than news outlets for information
70% of teenagers access social media multiple times a day
91% of Americans get at least some of their news from social media

Social Media Influence and Behavior Interpretation

With 91% of Americans turning to social media for news—an audience of which 87% of teenagers trust friends over outlets—a digital echo chamber emerges where peer influence often outweighs journalistic rigor, blurring the lines between credible information and social chatter.

Teacher Preparedness and Educational Gaps

73% of teachers feel unprepared to teach media literacy
Only 23% of teachers feel confident teaching about digital literacy
19% of teachers have no formal training in media literacy

Teacher Preparedness and Educational Gaps Interpretation

With nearly three-quarters of teachers feeling unprepared and only a small fraction confidently equipped, these statistics reveal a critical gap in our education system's armor against media misinformation—a gap that urgently needs filling if we’re to empower students as savvy consumers and creators in the digital age.