Younger adults in the US are much more likely to use popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok compared with older adults, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center. 76% of adults aged 18-24 use Instagram, while only 13% of adults age 65 and older use it. The age gap is much narrower for Facebook, with 70% of adults aged 18-29 using the platform compared to 50% of adults age 65 and older.
The report also revealed key demographic differences among the major social networks. For example, a higher percentage of Hispanic and Black adults used Instagram compared to white American adults. Additionally, more than half of adults with a bachelor's or advanced degree use LinkedIn, compared to only 10% of adults with a high school diploma or less. Lastly, 46% of adult women use Pinterest compared with only 16% of adult men.
The report was based on data from a survey conducted between January 25 and February 8, 2021, among a national sample of 1,502 adults, age 18 or older, living in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia.
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The Demographics of 11 Major Social Networks
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