Hamburg, 24 .11.2025: TikTok is becoming an increasingly important platform for news and politics. It is an important channel for media providers and political actors, and is becoming a key source of information for users. However, young people tend to overlook the fact that they may be exposed to various forms of manipulation through the TikTok algorithm. A new qualitative #UseTheNews study by the Leibniz Institute for Media Research explores contemporary approaches to teaching news, information and media literacy to help people become more resilient to the influence of algorithms. The authors demonstrate how teenagers and young adults use the platform, interact with the algorithm and experience both appreciation and resistance.
‘Apart from engagement metrics such as likes or comments, participants know little about what personal data TikTok collects from them, evaluates and feeds into the algorithmic recommendation system.’ This makes it difficult for them to assess potential risks, and they are not particularly concerned about data collection,” says study author and media researcher Dr. Leonie Alatassi from the Leibniz Institute for Media Research in Hamburg. ‘Support measures can come in here to educate and raise awareness, and specifically communicate what options are available with regard to individual settings and personal data protection.’
Key Findings of the Study
- Participants know very little about how TikTok collects and processes information. While they have few concerns about disclosing personal data initially, they gain a better understanding of how the platform works as they get older. “I’ve never really thought about the app in general. I just downloaded it, used it, and that’s it. And I haven’t thought about the data either.” (male, 16 years old)
- They use the features on the For You page in a variety of ways, but mostly unconsciously and without intending to influence the TikTok algorithm.
“You just like every video. When it’s so personalized, it’s the perfect pastime.” (female, 16) - Young people perceive their ability to act as situational and limited. They only sporadically experience self-efficacy, such as influencing the algorithm through interaction. When confronted with inappropriate content, many people react with annoyance, discomfort or a sense of loss of control. They then either try to actively influence the algorithm or take breaks from using the platform. This behaviour expresses their desire for autonomy.
“If there’s a video that doesn’t interest me, I just swipe on and the algorithm will show me less of that” (Female, 16 years old). - They associate the For You page emotionally with positive feelings such as interest, appreciation or entertainment. The algorithm is experienced as a personalised companion.
“If I had to personify TikTok, it would be the person that everyone actually likes. Everyone is secretly good friends with this person, but when they’re all together, TikTok gets bullied.’ (Female, 20 years old) - Most respondents find it convenient to keep up with current affairs passively via TikTok content. However, few young people actively use it as a source of political information because they consider it to be ‘untrustworthy’ or not a serious source.
“I didn’t use it for the election because there was too much edited stuff and too many memes in between, but TikTok is great for current news.” (male, 22)
“TikTok is one of the main sources of information for young people. This also applies to news and other journalistic offerings on the platform. We supported the study because the media industry needs sound insights into the significance and impact of TikTok if it wants to try out new news formats there,” says Vanessa Bitter, Chief Operating Officer of #UseTheNews.
Complete Study Findings
Alatassi, Leonie; Hölig, Sascha; Kessling, Philipp (2025): Zwischen Wertschätzung und Widerstand: Algorithmische Kompetenz junger Menschen am Beispiel der Kurzvideoplattform TikTok[Between Appreciation and Resistance: Algorithmic Competence of Young People Using the Example of the Short Video Platform TikTok]. Hamburg: Verlag Hans-Bredow-Institut, November 2025 (Working Papers of the Hans-Bredow-Institut | Project Results No. 79), https://doi.org/10.21241/ssoar.106121
About the Study
The #UseTheNews study was designed, conducted, and prepared by Dr. Leonie Alatassi, Dr. Sascha Hölig, and Philipp Kessling from the Leibniz Institute for Media Research in Hamburg. To answer the key questions, a qualitative survey was designed that included six focus groups (n=31) and follow-up individual interviews with twelve of the participants. The respondents were between 16 and 24 years old. In each of the three cities of Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Erfurt, one group consisted of teenagers and one of young adults; the groups were mixed in terms of gender and formal education (high vs. low). The participants for the guided individual interviews were recruited from the focus groups. In advance, the participants were able to request and download their TikTok data and provide selected data under appropriate guidance. This data was analyzed, visually presented in the form of diagrams, and discussed in the interviews. The fieldwork took place from March to May 2025.
About #UseTheNews
UseTheNews gGmbH examines how young people use and understand news and develops new information and educational offerings. In the spirit of a functioning and resilient democracy, #UseTheNews aims to provide children and young people across Germany with reliable resources for handling information safely and forming fact-based opinions. #UseTheNews was initiated in 2020 by the German Press Agency (dpa) and the Hamburg Ministry of Culture and Media, accompanied by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW) and the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut. The initiative is supported by a board of trustees comprising renowned figures from the media and politics.
Contact
Dr. Leonie Alatassi, l.alatassi@leibniz-hbi.de