Tiktok & Candace Owens vs First Lady Brigitte Macron of France was a Man ! & Why Does Generation Z Rely on Social Media, Especially TikTok, Instead of Searching for Facts?

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Why Does Generation Z Rely on Social Media, Especially TikTok, Instead of Searching for Facts?

In recent times, a peculiar conspiracy theory has gained traction on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, asserting that France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, is transgender. This unfounded claim has been amplified by conservative commentator Candace Owens, who, in March 2024, released a video titled “Is Brigitte Macron a Man?” promoting this baseless theory.

Despite clear refutations from reputable sources, such as a March 18, 2024, article by Anna Rascouët-Paz titled “No, France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron Isn’t a Trans Woman,”

the conspiracy continues to circulate, particularly among Generation Z users on TikTok. This demographic shift in news consumption is significant; as of 2023, 14% of U.S. adults regularly get news from TikTok, with the platform becoming the primary news source for 28% of British teenagers aged 12 to 15.

Candace Owens, known for her controversial stances, has a history of promoting conspiracy theories. She has questioned the authenticity of the 1969 Moon landing and suggested that mail bombings targeting Democrats were orchestrated by leftists. Her endorsement of the Brigitte Macron conspiracy aligns with this pattern, as she stated: “After looking into this, I would stake my entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man.”

Brigitte Macron, born Brigitte Trogneux on April 13, 1953, in Amiens, France, is the youngest of six children in a family of chocolatiers. She pursued a career in education, teaching literature and theater. In 2007, she married Emmanuel Macron, who became France’s president in 2017. Throughout her tenure as First Lady, she has been actively involved in various charitable and cultural initiatives, focusing on education and children’s welfare.

The persistence of such conspiracy theories highlights a broader issue: Generation Z’s reliance on social media platforms like TikTok for news and information. A study by Channel 4 indicated that a significant portion of young people in the UK favor dictatorial governance, with 52% supporting a strong leader who bypasses parliamentary processes and 33% preferring military rule. This phenomenon is driven by the algorithmic promotion of traditional gender roles and anti-liberal content on TikTok.

This trend underscores the need for critical media literacy and the importance of consulting diverse and reputable news sources to form well-rounded opinions.

Generation Z’s News Consumption and the Rise of Populism

Gen Z’s interest in populism isn’t simply a lurch to the right

In today’s digital age, Generation Z (born roughly between 1997 and 2012) has grown up with technology at their fingertips. Unlike previous generations who relied on libraries, newspapers, and traditional search engines, Gen Z primarily gets their information from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter (now X). This shift has led to concerns about misinformation, lack of deep research, and a growing dependency on viral trends rather than verified facts. But why does Gen Z avoid traditional fact-checking methods and instead rely heavily on social media for information? Several factors contribute to this behavior, including convenience, algorithmic influence, distrust in traditional media, and shifting attention spans.

1. The Rise of Convenience Over Research

One of the biggest reasons Gen Z prefers social media for information is the convenience factor. Searching for facts requires effort—typing a query, sifting through multiple sources, verifying authenticity, and forming a conclusion. In contrast, TikTok and other social platforms deliver bite-sized content in an easily digestible format, often in under a minute.

Example Conversation:

Emma: “Hey, did you know drinking lemon water burns belly fat?”

Jake: “Where did you hear that?”

Emma: “I saw this girl on TikTok saying she lost 20 pounds in a month just by drinking lemon water!”

Jake: “Did you check if it’s actually true?”

Emma: “Nah, she had a before-and-after picture, so it must be real.”

This kind of conversation is common. Instead of verifying the claim through health journals or consulting a doctor, many Gen Z users accept what they see at face value.

2. The Algorithmic Trap – Information is Fed, Not Sought

Unlike traditional search engines where users actively look for information, social media algorithms push content to users based on engagement, likes, and trends. This passive information consumption makes Gen Z less likely to question or cross-check what they see.

For example, TikTok’s “For You Page” (FYP) curates content based on past interactions, meaning users are constantly exposed to information that aligns with their existing beliefs rather than being encouraged to explore opposing viewpoints or fact-based sources.

Example Conversation:

Liam: “I heard NASA said the world is going to end in 2025.”

Mia: “Where did you read that?”

Liam: “I saw a video on my FYP. It had a million likes, so it has to be real.”

Mia: “But did you check NASA’s official website?”

Liam: “No need, bro. Everyone in the comments was agreeing.”

This showcases how social media reinforces confirmation bias, making users believe something is true just because it appears frequently in their feed.

3. Distrust in Traditional Media and Authority

Gen Z has grown up in an era of misinformation, political biases, and media scandals, which has led to deep skepticism toward traditional news outlets. Many young people believe mainstream media is manipulative or biased, making them more inclined to trust influencers or content creators they personally follow.

For example, if a TikTok influencer with millions of followers claims that a major news event is a hoax, their audience is more likely to believe them over established news organizations.

Example Conversation:

Sophie: “CNN reported that the new climate policy is going to cut carbon emissions by 30%.”

Noah: “I don’t trust CNN. They twist everything. I’d rather listen to this guy on TikTok who breaks it down simply.”

Sophie: “But he’s not a scientist. How does he know?”

Noah: “Doesn’t matter, he explains it in a way that makes sense.”

This highlights the growing trend of influencer trust over expert trust, even when influencers lack credible qualifications.

4. The Short Attention Span Phenomenon

Studies suggest that Gen Z has an average attention span of about 8 seconds, compared to Millennials’ 12 seconds. Traditional research methods, which require patience and critical thinking, do not align with this instant gratification mindset. TikTok videos, which typically last between 15 to 60 seconds, cater perfectly to this short attention span.

If given a choice between reading a 5-minute article explaining a topic or watching a 30-second TikTok summarizing it, most Gen Z users will opt for the video—even if it oversimplifies or distorts the facts.

5. The Psychological Effect of Viral Trends

Viral trends create a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out). If a piece of information is widely shared, it often becomes perceived as truth, regardless of its accuracy. When millions of people are repeating the same claim, it creates a bandwagon effect, making it seem more credible than it actually is.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, false cures like drinking warm water with garlic to kill the virus spread rapidly on social media. Many people, including Gen Z, believed and shared these claims without verifying them with health experts.

6. The Lack of Digital Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills

While Gen Z is tech-savvy, they often lack the digital literacy skills necessary to differentiate credible sources from unreliable ones. Schools and educational institutions have not always prioritized teaching students how to fact-check information or recognize bias in media.

If Gen Z were more trained in:

How to verify sources
How to distinguish between credible journalism and opinion pieces
How to identify misinformation tactics

…they might be more inclined to question what they see on social media.

The Need for a Balanced Approach

While social media provides fast and accessible information, it should not replace thorough research and fact-checking. Generation Z needs to develop stronger critical thinking skills and digital literacy to navigate the modern information landscape effectively. Instead of blindly trusting viral content, they should be encouraged to:

Cross-check facts using reliable sources like Google Scholar, reputable news outlets, and official government websites.
Develop a habit of questioning information rather than accepting it at face value.
Follow fact-checking accounts that debunk viral misinformation.

As social media continues to evolve, so should the way people engage with information. By fostering a culture of curiosity and skepticism, Gen Z can become more informed, responsible consumers of information rather than passive recipients of viral trends.