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Insight of the Day: The role of social media on Gen Z views on food

Findings

  1. Social Media Dominance:

    • Two-thirds of Gen Z (ages 10-22) report hearing about food and drink on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

    • 70% of Gen Z use social media for food inspiration, compared to 53% of the general population.

  2. Influence on Food Choices:

    • Platforms like TikTok significantly shape Gen Z's cooking habits and perception of red meat and dairy.

    • Social media ranks as the top source for Gen Z to hear about red meat and dairy, surpassing traditional formats like TV and radio.

  3. Engaged and Skeptical Consumers:

    • Younger generations actively research healthy eating, often using four or more sources for information.

    • Gen Z shows a desire for accurate and trustworthy content, partly due to concerns about misinformation on social media.

  4. Generational Differences:

    • Older generations rely more on traditional media (TV, radio, newspapers) for food-related information, placing higher trust in these sources.

    • Gen Z prefers short-form, visual content that aligns with their digital habits.

Key Takeaway

Social media is a powerful tool for influencing Gen Z's food choices, creating opportunities for targeted campaigns that highlight health, trends, and accurate information about red meat and dairy.

Trend

Digital-Driven Food Awareness: Gen Z's reliance on social media platforms for food information underscores the shift toward digital-first content.

Consumer Motivation

  • Inspiration: Gen Z seeks creative and trendy food ideas.

  • Trust: They actively look for accurate and balanced information.

  • Convenience: Quick, engaging content appeals to their digital habits.

What is Driving the Trend

  • High social media usage among Gen Z.

  • Misinformation concerns leading to active information-seeking behavior.

  • Platforms like TikTok and Instagram accelerating food trends.

Who Are Gen Z Consumers?

  • Age: Born between 1997–2012 (current age range: 10-27).

  • Behavior: Tech-savvy, engaged, and trend-driven.

  • Preferences: Visually engaging, short-form content tailored to their interests.

Description of Consumers

  • Products Referenced: Red meat, dairy, and trendy or health-focused food items.

  • Age: Primarily 16-34, with a focus on 18-27 for red meat and dairy insights.

Conclusions

  • Social media plays a critical role in shaping Gen Z's perception of food, especially regarding health, trends, and sustainability.

  • Accurate and engaging content is essential to capture this generation's trust and attention.

Implications for Brands

  1. Targeted Campaigns: Use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to engage Gen Z with visually appealing, trend-based food content.

  2. Misinformation Management: Provide accurate and trustworthy information to build credibility.

  3. Adaptable Content: Develop short-format, shareable videos and photography to resonate with Gen Z's consumption habits.

Implications for Society

  • Educating Gen Z about food and agriculture on digital platforms can promote informed decisions and healthier eating habits.

  • Addressing misinformation ensures public trust in the food and agriculture industries.

Implications for Consumers

  • Increased access to diverse food ideas and trends.

  • Greater awareness of misinformation risks on social media.

Implications for the Future

  • Social media's influence on food trends will grow, demanding a focus on accurate, engaging, and trend-driven content for younger audiences.

Consumer Trend

Social Media-Driven Food Choices: Gen Z relies heavily on digital platforms for inspiration, information, and engagement.

Consumer Sub-Trend

Visual and Trend-Based Cooking: Food content that highlights creativity, health, and sustainability gains traction.

Big Social Trend

Digital Engagement in Consumer Decisions: Social media dominates as a source of information, especially among younger demographics.

Local Trend

Social media campaigns targeted at Gen Z in the UK showcase red meat and dairy using platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Worldwide Social Trend

Global reliance on social media for food trends and inspiration, particularly among Gen Z.

Name of Big Trend Implied by Article

Social Media-Driven Food Inspiration

Name of Big Social Trend Implied by Article

Digital-First Consumer Influence

Social Drive

  • The rise of TikTok and Instagram as primary sources of food inspiration.

  • A growing emphasis on trend-driven, visually engaging content.

Learnings for Companies in 2025

  1. Engage on Social Media: Use Gen Z-preferred platforms to showcase creative, healthy, and trend-based food ideas.

  2. Combat Misinformation: Actively promote accurate information about red meat, dairy, and food trends.

  3. Visual Appeal: Invest in short-form videos and photography to match Gen Z's consumption preferences.

Strategy Recommendations for 2025

  1. Platform-Specific Content: Focus on TikTok and Instagram for targeting Gen Z.

  2. Highlight Health and Trends: Develop campaigns emphasizing balance, creativity, and sustainability in food.

  3. Collaborate with Influencers: Use relatable figures to build trust and inspire engagement.

  4. Educational Campaigns: Address misinformation through credible, entertaining content.

Final Sentence (Key Concept)

Gen Z's food choices are increasingly shaped by social media, making accurate, visually engaging, and trend-driven content essential for influencing this digital-first generation.

What Brands Should Do in 2025

  • Action: Create targeted, short-form content on social media showcasing trendy, healthy, and sustainable food ideas.

  • How to Do It:

    • Use TikTok and Instagram for high-impact visuals.

    • Collaborate with trusted influencers to amplify campaigns.

    • Educate Gen Z with factual, engaging content that dispels misinformation.

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