How Many People Use Social Media: Exploring Usage Statistics, Trends, and the Role of Moderation Services

Social media has become a part of human lives. These online platforms and applications enable users to create, share, and exchange information. They facilitate communication among users, communities, and organizations. But with its incessant growth over time, we may wonder how many people use social media?

Over five billion people use social media, accounting for more than half of the global population. This astounding figure underscores social media's immense influence and pervasiveness in people's daily lives. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the intricacies of social media usage. Discover how many people actively engage across various social media platforms and the profound impact of this widespread usage and adoption.

Global Social Media Usage Statistics

Social media has undoubtedly taken root in the lives of many, influencing how people communicate, access information, and interact with the world. To fully grasp social media's impact, it's crucial to look at the following:

Current Numbers

As of July 2024, around 5.17 billion people use social media worldwide. This staggering number means 63.7% of the global population is actively engaging in social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

The highest social media penetration rates are in regions with advanced internet infrastructure. Northern Europe has the highest penetration rate at 80.2%, followed by Western Europe (78.2%), Eastern Asia (74.9%), Southern Europe (73.5%), and Northern America (70.8%). The lowest social media penetration rate is in Middle Africa at 9.9%, followed by Eastern Africa (10.5%), Western Africa (16.5%), Southern Asia (32.9%), and Central Asia (37.9%).

Growth Trends

The growth trajectory of social media users over the past decade has been remarkable. In 2020, the global number of social media users was around 970 million. By 2015, this number had doubled to over 2 billion, reflecting the rapid adoption of smartphones and improved internet connectivity. The trend continues with impressive momentum, reaching approximately 3.6 billion users by 2020. 

Millions of new users join social media platforms every year. The year-over-year growth reached 5.8 percent in July 2024, at an average of 8.9 new users per second. In just 12 months, the number of social media users increased by around 282 million. 

Demographics

Social media usage spans all generations. In the United States, the highest concentration of social media users is Millennials (ages 27-42), which accounts for 30.3% or 68.5 million of all U.S. social media users. The next group is Gen Z (ages 11-26) with 56.4 million users, followed by Gen X (ages 43-58) with 51.8 million and Baby Boomers (ages 59-77) with 36.9 million users.

There are more male social media users than female, with 53.4% and 46.6% of the global population, respectively. Preferences for specific platforms vary by gender. For instance, Pinterest has a higher proportion of female users. Meanwhile, Reddit and LinkedIn have more male users. Social media usage also shows slight gender-based differences, with females spending more time on social media than males.

Geographical trends in social media usage are significant. China is the top country in terms of the number of social media users, with approximately 1 billion users. India comes in second with around 467 million total users, followed by the United States (246 million), Indonesia (167 million), and Brazil (152.4 million).

Daily Social Media Usage

Social media users visit around 6.7 different platforms each month. On average, people spend 2 hours and 20 minutes using or visiting social media platforms. This consistent daily engagement underscores how social media has become a routine part of life for billions around the world.

Several platforms dominate the social media scene. Here are the top social media platforms with over a billion monthly users:

Facebook

Facebook takes the top place, with approximately  3.07 billion active monthly users and 2.085 billion daily users. On average, Facebook users spend 30.9 minutes of their day on the platform. 

YouTube

The highly popular video streaming platform boasts 2.491 billion monthly active users and 122 million daily active users. YouTube's diverse content drives its popularity.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the go-to messaging app for personal and group communication for many. This messaging platform has at least 2 billion monthly active users. WhatsApp owes its popularity to its end-to-end encryption, making it a secure choice for messaging. 

Instagram

Instagram's visual-centric content attracts approximately 2 billion monthly active users and 500 million daily active users. On average, Instagram users spend 33.1 minutes per day interacting on the platform. 

TikTok

TikTok experienced a continuous surge in active users through the years. Known for its short-form videos, TikTok boasts 1.218 billion monthly active users and 45.1 million daily users.

Reasons for Social Media Usage

Social media platforms serve multiple purposes, catering to various needs and interests. Here are the primary reasons people use social media:

Communication

Social media has revolutionized how people stay in touch with friends and family. Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram enable instant messaging, video calls, and photo sharing. These enable users to maintain relationships, share life updates, and celebrate milestones.

Information and News

Social media is a major source of news and information for many users. X, Facebook, and YouTube are popular platforms for accessing real-time news updates and in-depth information. News outlets and independent journalists use these platforms to reach wider audiences quickly. Moreover, users can follow specific topics and influencers, curating their feeds to reflect their interests and stay informed about global events, trends, and niche topics.

Entertainment

Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are central to online entertainment. TikTok offers short-form videos, ranging from funny clips to dance challenges. Meanwhile, YouTube offers a vast array of content, including music videos, vlogs, tutorials, and live streams. Instagram, on the other hand, offers Stories, Reels, and IGTV. These platforms also support user-generated content (UGC), encouraging creativity and interaction.

Networking and Professional Use

LinkedIn is the leading platform for professional networking, used by millions to build careers and business connections. Professionals use LinkedIn to showcase their experience, skills, and achievements. Users can connect with colleagues, industry leaders, and potential employers through the platform. LinkedIn also features job listings, company pages, and professional groups to facilitate job searchers, recruitment, and industry-specific discussions. 

Impact of Social Media

Social media has a profound impact on various aspects of people's lives. It brings several benefits but also comes with potential downsides.

Positive Effects

Here are some of the benefits of social media:

Connectivity

Social media allows people to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues regardless of geographical distance. It helps maintain relationships, reconnect with old friends, and build new connections. Platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp enable easy communication through messages, video calls, and group chats.

Access to Information

Social media provides quick access to a vast amount of information. News updates, educational content, and expert opinions are readily available on platforms like X, YouTube, and LinkedIn. These platforms are popular for learning about current events, gaining insights, and participating in professional development.

Community Building

Social media platforms enable the creation of communities based on shared interests and goals. Users can join groups, participate in discussions, and collaborate on projects. This sense of community can provide support, inspiration, and a feeling of belonging. 

Market and Business Growth

Social media is a powerful tool for business. It offers opportunities for marketing, brand building, and customer engagement. Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn help companies reach target audiences, showcase products, and connect with customers. 

Negative Effects

Here are the potential downsides of social media usage:

Mental Health Issues

Excessive use of social media can contribute to mental health problems. Issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are linked to social media usage. Constant comparison with others, cyberbullying, and the pressure to maintain an ideal online persona can negatively impact mental well-being.

Misinformation

Social media platforms are often used to spread misinformation and fake news. The rapid sharing of unverified information can lead to misunderstandings and the spread of false narratives. This proliferation of misinformation can be problematic during crises, elections, and public health emergencies.

Privacy Concerns

Social media users often share personal information that can be exploited. Privacy breaches and data misuse are significant concerns. Users need to be aware of privacy settings and the risk associated with sharing too much information online. 

Addiction and Time Management

Social media can be addictive, leading to excessive screen time and poor time management. This addiction can interfere with daily responsibilities, productivity, and real-life social interactions. Setting boundaries and managing screen time is crucial to mitigate these effects.

The Role of Social Media Moderation Services

Social media moderation services play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and integrity of online platforms. They involve reviewing and managing UGC to ensure adherence to platform guidelines and community standards. 

Moderation helps maintain the safety and respectfulness of the digital space. It helps protect users from harmful interactions and ensures the platform remains a positive space for communication and information sharing. Here are some of the responsibilities of social media content moderators:

Preventing Harm

Social media moderation helps in identifying and removing hate speech, including offensive, discriminatory, or threatening language targeting individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or other characteristics. Filtering out such content prevents the spread of intolerance and violence among users.

Aside from harmful content, social media moderators also contribute to the fight against misinformation. They flag and remove false or misleading information by conducting fact-checking initiatives and collaborating with credible sources. Content moderation can also help detect and address cyberbullying by providing tools for reporting and blocking abusive users. This intervention is crucial for protecting vulnerable users and promoting a supportive community.

Ensuring Compliance

Moderation ensures that user content complies with the platform's policies and guidelines. This includes adherence to rules regarding appropriate language, content restrictions, and respectful interactions. Regular updates to these guidelines help address emerging challenges and evolving user behaviors.

Additionally, content moderation services help platforms remain compliant with various legal regulations, including those related to data protection, copyright, and harmful content. Moderators help enforce these regulations by removing illegal content, ensuring data privacy, and respecting intellectual property rights. This compliance is crucial to avoid legal penalties and maintain user trust.

Enhancing User Experience

Effective moderation creates a positive and welcoming environment for users. Platforms can remove harmful and disruptive content to ensure that users feel safe and respected while engaging online, encouraging more active participation and interaction.

Moderations also help maintain high content quality by filtering out spam, irrelevant posts, and low-quality content. This enhances the overall user experience and makes it easier for users to find valuable and engaging content. A well-moderated platform is more likely to retain users and attract new ones. 

Future Trends in Social Media Usage

As social media evolves, new platforms and trends will continue to emerge, shaping how people interact and communicate online.

Emerging Platforms

Emerging platforms like Clubhouse, BeReal, and Threads are gaining traction. Clubhouse offers audio-based interactions, while BeReal emphasizes authentic, unfiltered sharing to attract users seeking a more genuine social media experience. Meanwhile, Threads focuses on close-knit communities, offering a space for intimate conversations. These platforms can reshape social media dynamics by emphasizing different forms of interaction and content creation.

Evolving Moderation Needs

As social media platforms evolve, so do moderation needs. Here's how social media moderation needs can evolve with the emerging trends:

Increased Complexity

The need for sophisticated moderation services will grow as new platforms and content types emerge. Audio-based platforms, like Clubhouse, will require real-time monitoring to ensure compliance with community standards and prevent harmful behavior. This adds complexity compared to traditional text and image moderation.

Technological Advancements

Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning will play a crucial role in future moderation. These technologies can improve the accuracy and efficiency of content review. They can also help platforms manage the increasing volume and variety of UGC. However, human oversight will remain essential to handle nuanced cases and ensure fair judgment.

Proactive Measures

Future moderation needs will also focus on proactive measures, such as using predictive analytics to identify potential issues before they escalate. This approach can help prevent the spread of harmful content and maintain a safer online environment.

Navigating the Social Media Landscape

Understanding social media usage statistics and the role of moderation services is crucial in today's interconnected digital age. It helps users and platforms navigate the complexities of online interactions while ensuring a safe, informative, and enjoyable experience.

Staying informed about social media trends and considering the implications of social media usage is essential for making the most of these platforms. As social media continues to evolve, so must the approach to managing and engaging with it.

For companies seeking reliable social media moderation services, Chekkee is a trusted partner. Chekkee offers comprehensive solutions to manage and monitor content. Our human and AI moderators can help ensure a safe and positive online experience for your users. 

Protect your users and make your social media community safer, more engaging, and welcoming. Contact us today!