Personalisation, Algorithms, and News Consumption Behaviour: Examining How Curated Feeds on TikTok, Instagram and X Influence News Preferences Among Kenyan Gen Z

The growth and uptake of social media in Kenya have transformed how news is consumed, especially among young audiences. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X have emerged as primary sources of news for Generation Z, shifting gatekeeping power from traditional journalists and editors to algorithm-driven systems. This study examines how curated social media feeds influence news preferences among Kenyan Gen Z, with a specific focus on algorithmic filtering, ranking and distribution of news content, as well as users' awareness of algorithmic intervention in their news consumption. Adopting a systematic literature review design, the study analysed peer-reviewed articles and reports published between 2020 and 2025, sourced from major academic databases including Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO Host and PsycINFO. Findings indicate that digital media algorithms play a central role in determining the visibility and reach of news content in Kenya, particularly during politically sensitive periods such as elections and civic mobilisation. Media houses, political actors and social media activists increasingly rely on data analytics, engagement metrics and hashtag strategies to target and influence youthful audiences. However, despite the pervasive influence of algorithms, awareness of algorithmic intervention among Kenyan social media users remains relatively low, largely due to gaps in digital literacy and limited exposure to algorithmic education. Low algorithmic awareness heightens vulnerability to misinformation, echo chambers and the paper recommend strengthening digital and algorithmic literacy initiatives and calls for further empirical research grounded in the Kenyan context to systematically assess algorithmic awareness and its implications for news consumption behaviour among young people.