Social Media Usage Patterns, News Trust, and Verification Practices among Generation Z: Evidence from Turkey

Abstract

This study aims to examine the social media practices, platform preferences, and news trust behaviors of Generation Z through a qualitative and context-driven analytical framework. Using semi-structured interviews with young participants from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds, the research employs thematic analysis to uncover the underlying patterns shaping their engagement with digital media. The findings reveal that social media usage among Generation Z extends beyond communication and entertainment; it constitutes a central component of identity formation, everyday sociability, agenda tracking, and informal learning processes. Participants predominantly identify Instagram and YouTube as their primary platforms, whereas Facebook is perceived as a medium associated with older generations. The analysis further indicates that Generation Z tends to place greater trust in visual and audiovisual news content compared to text-based materials, although levels of trust fluctuate depending on source credibility, perceived authenticity, and the affordances of algorithmically curated feeds. While participants acknowledge the importance of source verification prior to sharing news, the frequency and depth of such verification vary according to individual interests and topic relevance. Moreover, satire and parody news were occasionally mistaken for factual reporting, illustrating the blurred boundaries between entertainment and information in digital environments. Phenomena such as echo chambers, repetition effects, and influencer-driven content were also found to shape perceptions of news reliability. Overall, the study demonstrates that Generation Z’s news consumption and trust practices are multilayered and deeply embedded within the socio-technical dynamics of contemporary digital platforms. These findings underscore the need for enhanced media literacy frameworks and critical digital awareness initiatives aimed at fostering more informed and discerning engagement with online information ecosystems