How much time do people spend on social media? As of 2025, the average daily social media usage of internet users worldwide amounted to 141 minutes per day, down from 143 minutes in the previous year. Currently, the country with the most time spent on social media per day is Brazil, with online users spending an average of 3 hours and 49 minutes on social media each day. In comparison, the daily time spent with social media in the U.S. was just 2 hours and 16 minutes. Global social media usageCurrently, the global social network penetration rate is 62.3 percent. Northern Europe had an 81.7 percent social media penetration rate, topping the ranking of global social media usage by region. Eastern and Middle Africa closed the ranking with 10.1 and 9.6 percent usage reach, respectively. People access social media for a variety of reasons. Users like to find funny or entertaining content and enjoy sharing photos and videos with friends, but mainly use social media to stay in touch with current events friends. Global impact of social mediaSocial media has a wide-reaching and significant impact on not only online activities but also offline behavior and life in general. During a global online user survey in February 2019, a significant share of respondents stated that social media had increased their access to information, ease of communication, and freedom of expression. On the flip side, respondents also felt that social media had worsened their personal privacy, increased a polarization in politics and heightened everyday distractions.

Today the average time spent on social media is 2 hours and 24 minutes today for people aged 16 to 64.

How many people use social media?

              Social media usage is one of the most popular online activities. In 2024, over five billion people were using social media worldwide, a number projected to increase to over six billion in 2028.

              Who uses social media?
              Social networking is one of the most popular digital activities worldwide and it is no surprise that social networking penetration across all regions is constantly increasing. As of January 2023, the global social media usage rate stood at 59 percent. This figure is anticipated to grow as lesser developed digital markets catch up with other regions
              when it comes to infrastructure development and the availability of cheap mobile devices. In fact, most of social media’s global growth is driven by the increasing usage of mobile devices. Mobile-first market Eastern Asia topped the global ranking of mobile social networking penetration, followed by established digital powerhouses such as the Americas and Northern Europe.

              How much time do people spend on social media?
              Social media is an integral part of daily internet usage. On average, internet users spend 151 minutes per day on social media and messaging apps, an increase of 40 minutes since 2015. On average, internet users in Latin America had the highest average time spent per day on social media.

              What are the most popular social media platforms?
              Market leader Facebook was the first social network to surpass one billion registered accounts and currently boasts approximately 2.9 billion monthly active users, making it the most popular social network worldwide. In June 2023, the top social media apps in the Apple App Store included mobile messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram Messenger, as well as the ever-popular app version of Facebook.

Gen Z and Millennials are the biggest social media users of all age groups.

The average person has 8-9 social media accounts. This has doubled since 2013, when the average person just had 4-5 accounts.

During a 2024 survey, 77 percent of respondents from Nigeria stated that they used social media as a source of news. In comparison, just 23 percent of Japanese respondents said the same. Large portions of social media users around the world admit that they do not trust social platforms either as media sources or as a way to get news, and yet they continue to access such networks on a daily basis.

              Social media: trust and consumption

              Despite the majority of adults surveyed in each country reporting that they used social networks to keep up to date with news and current affairs, a 2018 study showed that social media is the least trusted news source in the world. Less than 35 percent of adults in Europe considered social networks to be trustworthy in this respect, yet more than 50 percent of adults in Portugal, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Croatia said that they got their news on social media.

              What is clear is that we live in an era where social media is such an enormous part of daily life that consumers will still use it in spite of their doubts or reservations. Concerns about fake news and propaganda on social media have not stopped billions of users accessing their favorite networks on a daily basis.
              Most Millennials in the United States use social media for news every day, and younger consumers in European countries are much more likely to use social networks for national political news than their older peers.
              Like it or not, reading news on social is fast becoming the norm for younger generations, and this form of news consumption will likely increase further regardless of whether consumers fully trust their chosen network or not.

The results might surprise you when looking at internet users that are active on social media in each country.

56.8% of the world’s total population is active on social media.

The global number of Facebook users was forecast to continuously increase between 2023 and 2027 by in total 391 million users (+14.36 percent). After the fourth consecutive increasing year, the Facebook user base is estimated to reach 3.1 billion users and therefore a new peak in 2027. Notably, the number of Facebook users was continuously increasing over the past years. User figures, shown here regarding the platform Facebook, have been estimated by taking into account company filings or press material, secondary research, app downloads and traffic data. They refer to the average monthly active users over the period and count multiple accounts by persons only once.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

Teenagers are the 2nd largest group of people affected by social media addiction. Teens ages 13 to 18 years old spend a significant amount of their free time on social media with an average of 3 hours a day.

In this post, I'll give you all the social media addiction statistics you need to be aware of to moderate your social media use.

As of April 2024, around 16.5 percent of global active Instagram users were men between the ages of 18 and 24 years. More than half of the global Instagram population worldwide was aged 34 years or younger.

              Teens and social media

              As one of the biggest social networks worldwide, Instagram is especially popular with teenagers. As of fall 2020, the photo-sharing app ranked third in terms of preferred social network among teenagers in the United States, second to Snapchat and TikTok. Instagram was one of the most influential advertising channels among female Gen Z users when making purchasing decisions. Teens report feeling more confident, popular, and better about themselves when using social media, and less lonely, depressed and anxious.
              Social media can have negative effects on teens, which is also much more pronounced on those with low emotional well-being. It was found that 35 percent of teenagers with low social-emotional well-being reported to have experienced cyber bullying when using social media, while in comparison only five percent of teenagers with high social-emotional well-being stated the same. As such, social media can have a big impact on already fragile states of mind.

Facebook and YouTube are still the most used social media platforms today.

In February 2024, adults in the United States aged between 18 and 24, spent 186 minutes per day engaging with social media platforms. In comparison, respondents aged 65 and older dedicated approximately 102 minutes of their day to social media. TikTok was the most engaging social media platform for U.S. consumers aged between 18 and 24 years. The popular video was also the most engaging among users aged 35 and 54 years, commanding between 45 and 50 minutes of users' daily attention. Respondents aged between 55 and 65, reported to spending between 45 minutes daily on Facebook.

The results of which gender uses which platforms are in.

Regional use of social media has a significant effect on the male and female social media statistics.

Facebook received 73,390 user data requests from federal agencies and courts in the United States during the second half of 2023. The social network produced some user data in 88.84 percent of requests from U.S. federal authorities. The United States accounts for the largest share of Facebook user data requests worldwide.

90% of people aged 18-29 use social media in some form. 15% of people aged 23-38 admit that they are addicted to social media.

Social Networking Services Market Outlook

The global social networking services market size was valued at approximately USD 192 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach an impressive USD 325 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 5.8% during the forecast period. This growth trajectory is supported by the increasing penetration of the internet, the proliferation of smartphones, and the ever-evolving digital landscape, which together drive the integration of social networking services into daily life across the globe. The social networking services market is witnessing robust growth, as these platforms continue to redefine communication, transform marketing strategies, and influence societal norms. As more people seek digital connectivity and content sharing, the demand for innovative and engaging social networking solutions continues to rise, propelling the market forward.

One of the key growth factors for the social networking services market is the widespread adoption of smartphones and the increasing accessibility of high-speed internet. As smartphones become more affordable and internet connectivity improves, particularly in emerging economies, the number of social network users continues to expand. This trend has led to a surge in the creation and consumption of content, with users increasingly engaging with multimedia posts, videos, and live streams. Additionally, social networking services have become essential tools for personal expression, brand promotion, and community building, further fueling their popularity and market penetration. The rise of Generation Z and Millennials, who are digital natives, has also significantly contributed to the growth of social networking platforms, as these demographics are more inclined to use social media as a primary means of communication and entertainment.

Another driving factor is the shift in marketing strategies towards digital and social media channels. Businesses and brands are leveraging social networking services to connect with their target audiences more effectively, enabling personalized marketing campaigns and real-time customer engagement. Social media platforms offer unparalleled opportunities for businesses to understand consumer behavior, preferences, and trends through data analytics and insights. As a result, companies are increasing their advertising spend on social networking services to enhance brand visibility, drive traffic, and boost sales. This commercial use of social networks is anticipated to contribute significantly to the market's growth, as businesses continue to seek innovative ways to engage customers and stay competitive in the digital age.

Moreover, the continuous innovation and integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality into social networking platforms are creating new avenues for user engagement and interaction. These technologies are enhancing the user experience by offering immersive features, personalized recommendations, and interactive content. For instance, AI-driven algorithms help curate content based on user preferences, while AR and VR are being used to create engaging and immersive experiences, such as virtual try-ons and 3D product demonstrations. Such technological advancements are not only attracting new users but also increasing the time spent on social platforms, thereby boosting user retention and platform monetization.

The emergence of Anonymous Social Networking Software has introduced a new dimension to the social networking landscape. These platforms prioritize user privacy and anonymity, allowing individuals to share thoughts and ideas without revealing their identities. This approach caters to users who value privacy and wish to engage in open discussions without the fear of judgment or repercussions. Anonymous social networking software provides a unique space for users to express themselves freely, fostering a sense of community and trust among participants. As concerns over data privacy and security continue to rise, these platforms are gaining traction, offering an alternative to traditional social networks where personal information is often shared and monetized. The growing interest in anonymity reflects a broader trend towards privacy-focused digital interactions, highlighting the need for secure and confidential communication channels in the digital age.

From a regional perspective, the social networking services market exhibits diverse growth patterns across different geographies. North Ame

Over 210 million people worldwide suffer from social media addiction.