• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, July 1, 2025

Americans have little curiosity about the outside world, judging by a new study from SmartNews. 

It shows that 71% of U.S. readers consume little or no foreign news. Yet 63% spend 30 minutes or more on U.S. national news each day. 

But it depends on their age: younger consumers are more likely to spend time on foreign news: 36% of millennials and 34% of Gen Z devote 30 minutes or more to it per day. 

In contrast, 26% of Gen X and 24% of boomers spend 30 minutes or more on foreign news reports.  

The main cause for 40% is lack of interest. In addition, 10% say they are concerned only with U.S. news. And 6% feel foreign news is too stressful and causes a negative mental health reaction.  

How do people consume foreign news? The main source for 35% is social media. This is followed by network and cable news channels at 29% apiece. 

Despite that, only 19% trust social media for foreign news, ranking TV news ahead of it. Asked to name the TV channels they trust the most, 22% chose cable (e.g., CNN, Fox News) and 19% network TV (e.g., ABC, NBC).

Which topics are they following? Europe is the top region of interest for 46%, followed by the Middle East, Canada, Mexico, Asia and Africa. 

As to subject, economic issues and military conflicts are cited by 51% apiece. Other topics are human rights (37%), immigration policies and trends (33%), political development (33%) and travel and tourism (24%).  

SmartNews surveyed 1,284 U.S. consumers in April 2025.