Unveiling The Alarming Reality Of Social Media Addiction (2024 Stats)

Social media applications and website usage continue to rise. Along with this, social media addiction grew too. Just to put in numbers, there are 210 million people addicted to social media.

If you are concerned about what is too much, we got you covered. Learn about mind-blowing social media statistics, demographics, and their impact by reading on. Also, you can further explore the topic with the list of sources we provided.

How Many People Are Addicted to Social Media?

Daily 4.8 billion users use social media actively. Researchers estimated that these numbers may reach about 6 billion by 2027.

You will find more alarming stats about social media addiction in this article. To be precise, we covered the demographics of people addicted to social media and the impacts it may have. Read on to learn more. 

Social Media Addiction Statistics

Data reveal that 4.8 billion people worldwide are active on social media platforms as of July 2023. There was also a 3.5% increase in social media users worldwide from 2019 to 2020.

1. About 16 to 33 million Americans in the US are addicted to social media. 

(Addiction Center)

5% to 10% of Americans in the US are social media addicts, estimated to be 16 to 33 million people.

These numbers represent a serious problem and indicate a risk to people. If the social media addiction phenomenon continues, these numbers will also rise quickly.

2. Over 350 million people worldwide are believed to be clinically addicted to Facebook.

(Brandon Gaille)

Further statistics show 71% of Americans use Facebook. It’s one of the first social media platforms that paved the way for others. Today, it leads in terms of usage.

Now, how often have you scrolled through Facebook and felt it’s too much? So you let go of your phone and tell yourself that’s enough Facebook for the day, only to find yourself opening the app again minutes or hours after. 

If you’ve done that before, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically addicted to Facebook. However, it has components such as likes, comments, and other interactions that activate the brain’s reward system. 

Plus, 64% of Facebook users also utilize Messenger. This further brings connection and more interactions.

Those are healthy in small doses, but dependence upon those interactions can reinforce a toxic cycle.

3. On average, a person spends over 5 years, or 2,995,920 minutes of their lifetime using social media. 

(Macro Trends, Social Media Today)

In 2021, the worldwide life expectancy was 73 years. Therefore, if someone signed up on social media when they were 16 and lived 73 years, they would have spent more than 5 years on social media.

These numbers show how an average person spends their life using social media. The statistics specify that social media can indeed affect people’s personal lives.

Social Media Addict Demographics

Learn more about the distribution of social media usage and addiction across various demographics.

4. 15% of people in the 23 to 38 age group are social media addicts. 

(Statista)

Statista surveyed its respondents on whether they are somewhat or completely addicted to social media. The data gathering company split the respondents between age groups.

The survey results revealed people aged 23 to 38 are, self-admittedly, the most “completely” addicted to social media, representing 15% of the respondents in the age group. 

Results showed that the generation with the highest percentage is mostly Millenials and Generation Z. These generations are more fluent in using technology. 

5. 39% of women and men in the US admitted they are addicted to social media platforms.

(Statista)

In general, 39% of women and men are, admittedly, social media addicts. However, looking further into Statista’s surveys, social media addiction differs between genders.

Results exhibit how women can be more expressive, vocal, and willing to share their thoughts, even on social media.

6. In the US, there are 14 million teenagers who enjoy browsing through their social media feeds.

(Headphones Addict)

Social media-addicted teenagers in the US are increasing, with 33% of teens socializing online than face-to-face. 

According to the research, there are 14 million teenagers who enjoy browsing through their social media feeds.

Social media addiction is also high in "tweens” or kids aged 10 to 12. From the data, 18% of them used social media daily, compared to 13% in 2019.

The numbers indicated here show that teenagers and tweens are more prone to social media addiction due to peer pressure and current trends.

Impacts Of Social Media Addiction - How It Is Affecting Us?

According to Lululemon’s Global Wellbeing survey, people who spend more than 3 hours a day browsing social media may experience negative feelings about their social well-being. 

All the previous statistics exhibit that social media addiction is becoming more severe by the second. This article also mentioned that it can affect people’s professional and daily lives. 

This part will reveal statistics on social media addiction's impacts, so continue reading. 

7. More than 30% of teenagers in the US seek validation through social media platforms.

(Statista)

In the digital era, many people now seek validation in the online world. Teenagers are no exception, making social media addiction among teens problematic. 

According to research, more than 30% of people seek affirmation on social media. More results from US teenagers are as follows:

8. Social media disputes happen in 1 in every 3 breakups or divorces. 

(HG.org, Pew Research Center)

Overuse of social media platforms is one of the many reasons why couples fight. This study revealed that people in a relationship monitor their partner’s social media. It often results in quarrels and jealousy. 

9. Reports revealed that 25% of young adults aged 18 to 25 have a higher risk of having mental illness caused by social media. 

(National Institute of Mental Health)

Technology can always have a wrong side, and negatively affecting someone’s mental health is one of them. 

Reports revealed that 25% of young adults aged 18 to 25 have a higher risk of mental illness caused by social media. Followed by 22.2% of people aged 26 to 49. In contrast, the last percentage is 13.8% of people aged 50 and above. 

With these numbers, social media can affect people’s mental health regardless of age.

10. 25% of girls using TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat compare themselves negatively to what they see online. 

(Washington Post)

No matter how often people encounter the phrase “Social media is not real life,” the online world has become a huge part of everyone’s lives, making it hard to live by it.

Most girls on social media endure negative social comparisons on the platforms. They also feel the pressure of showing the best versions of themselves, regardless of whether that’s really who they are.

Moreover, girls with moderate to severe symptoms of depression are more vulnerable to the negative impacts of social media, such as:

• Sleep disruption
• Body image issues
• Social media addiction
• Cyberbullying, which affects 28% of teenagers

Final Thoughts

No one can deny that technology gives people many advantages and disadvantages. The usage of social media platforms is significantly higher nowadays. Along with this, more people become addicted to them. 

Anyone can suffer from social media addiction, regardless of age, ethnicity, or profession. Physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being are things people can compromise if they do not control this dependence.

Despite people being aware of the adverse effects social media brings, the platforms have become a huge part of everyone’s lives, making it hard to stop. Prioritizing seeking professionals is the best thing to do to resolve this.