Social media is dangerous.
Or is it dangerously good?
Or is it so dangerously good – we should actually be concerned about our own mental health, and the health of society in general.
With something that dangerous – we also know it’s powerful for marketing. So these statistics outlay the current difficulty, but also the current opportunity.
Use responsibly.
Social Media Usage Statistics for 2024
- As of 2024, the number of social media users worldwide is over 4.2 billion (Datareportal, 2024).
- Mobile users account for approximately 91% of all social media users (Datareportal, 2024).
- The average user spends around 2 hours and 24 minutes per day using social media across multiple devices (GlobalWebIndex, 2021).
- Facebook remains the most used social media platform, with over 2.8 billion active users as of 2024 (Facebook, 2024).
- Instagram has more than 1.2 billion monthly active users (Instagram, 2024).
- TikTok, the short-video platform, has over 1 billion active users worldwide (TikTok, 2024).
- Around 500 million tweets are sent each day on Twitter (Internet Live Stats, 2024).
Social Media Addiction Statistics for 2024
- Approximately 210 million people suffer from internet and social media addictions worldwide (The Recovery Village, 2021).
- A survey found that 71% of millennials check social media sites first thing in the morning (OnePoll, 2021).
- The average person will spend nearly five and a half years of their lifetime on social media, according to calculations using average daily use figures (Mediakix, 2021).
- 45% of teenagers feel overwhelmed by the number of notifications they receive daily (Common Sense Media, 2021).
- A survey by the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK ranked Instagram as the worst social media platform for mental health among young people (RSPH, 2021).
Social Media and Mental Health Statistics for 2024
- Frequent social media use and screen time have been shown in several studies to be strongly associated with increased risk for depression, anxiety, and loneliness (Journal of Adolescence, 2021).
- Social media may contribute to sleep disturbance – one study reveals that young adults who spend a lot of time on social media have twice the risk of suffering from sleep problems (University of Pittsburgh, 2021).
- Research suggests that young people who spend more than 2 hours per day on social media are more likely to report poor mental health, including psychological distress (symptoms of anxiety and depression) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).
- The “fear of missing out” (FOMO) phenomenon that is often associated with social media usage, has been linked with decreased sleep quality, lower mood, increased anxiety, and feelings of loneliness (Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2021).
- Comparing oneself to others on social media has been found to have a greater impact on one’s self-esteem than direct comparisons in real life (Journal of Adolescence, 2021).
Social Media Marketing Statistics for 2024
- 90% of brands use social media to increase brand awareness (Emarsys, 2021).
- Nearly 73% of marketers believe that their efforts through social media marketing have been “somewhat effective” or “very effective” for their business (Buffer, 2021).
- As of 2024, the average business spends between 20 – 30% of its total marketing budget on social media advertising (Web Strategies, 2024).
- The number of small businesses advertising on Facebook doubled to 50 million in 2024, highlighting the increasing importance of social media in marketing strategies (Facebook, 2024).
- 71% of consumers who have had a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend the brand to their friends and family (Lyfe Marketing, 2021).
- Instagram’s potential advertising reach is 1.16 billion users (Hootsuite, 2024).
- LinkedIn is the top-rated social network for lead generation – 79% of B2B marketers say LinkedIn has been an effective avenue for lead generation (LinkedIn, 2021).
- Over 200 million Instagram users visit at least one business profile daily (Instagram, 2024).
- By 2024, it’s predicted that the average daily time each user spends on social media will be 115 minutes, up from 102 minutes in 2022 (eMarketer, 2024).
- Over 80% of consumers discover products they like on Facebook (Facebook, 2024).
The power of social media is a double-edged sword.
Its omnipresence, reflected in the compelling statistics, underlines the incredible influence it has on our lives and businesses. However, this influence is not without its drawbacks, as seen in the rising concerns around addiction and mental health.
The business advantages are undeniable; social media is a game-changer in marketing, offering reach and engagement that traditional mediums cannot match. Yet, these boons demand a balanced approach.
As we navigate 2024, we’re reminded of the fine line between beneficial use and harmful excess. Use responsibly, understand the impact, and strike a balance. Social media is a tool – it’s our responsibility to wield it wisely. Let’s connect, inspire, and grow, but never at the expense of our well-being.
