AMERICANS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

WASHINGTON : Two-thirds of American adults get at least some of their news from social media, even though many are sceptical about accuracy of that information, a survey showed on Monday.

The  Pew Research Centre  report found 68 per cent said they used  social networks for news, with 20 pc saying they got information ''often'' from those services including Facebook and Twitter.

More than half of those surveyed [57pc] said they expect the news they see on social media to be ''largely inaccurate'', according to Pew.

Still, most respondents said  getting news this way has made little difference in their understanding o current events - while 15 pc said it made them ''more confused''.

An estimated 67pc of Facebook's users get news there, as do 71 pc of Twitter users 73pc of Reddit users.

Smaller percentages get news from other online platforms such as YouTube, Tumbir, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat and WhatsApp, according to the report.

PEW surveyed 4,581 US adults between July 30 and Aug 12. - AFP.