Around 210 million people worldwide are addicted to social media. Of that, 33.19 million are from the United States alone, representing 10% of the Americans.
This issue is particularly prevalent among younger generations, with 82% of Gen Z adults acknowledging their dependency on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. 36% of teenagers report excessive social media use, often linked to negative mental health outcomes such as anxiety, stress, and depression.
This report on social media addiction statistics offers detailed insights into the number of people affected by social media addiction as of 2025, rising usage among different demographics, addiction trends among teens and students, and the impact of social media addiction on users.
Social Media Addiction Statistics 2025: Key Insights
- Around 210 million people worldwide are addicted to social media and the internet.
- 33.19 million Americans are addicted to social media, making up 10% of the country’s population.
- 30% of American adults say they feel addicted to social media.
- 82% of Gen Z adults believe they are addicted to social media.
- 36% of teens admit they spend too much time on social media and are addicted.
- Over 60% of college students in the U.S. report being addicted to social media.
- Users who spend 3 or more hours daily on social media are more likely to experience negative feelings about their social well-being.
How Many People Are Addicted To Social Media?
Approximately 210 million people globally are affected by social media and internet addiction.
With 5.22 billion social media users, accounting for 63.8% of the global population, many people spend significant time immersed in these platforms.
On average, users spend 2 hours and 19 minutes daily scrolling, engaging with, and consuming content. In addition, the average user interacts with more than six platforms, highlighting the crucial role social media plays in daily life.
Source: Texas A&M University College of Arts & Sciences, Data Reportal.
How Many People Are Addicted To Social Media In The United States?
Around 10% of Americans are estimated to be addicted to social media.
This translates to approximately 33.19 million people, based on 2021 population data emphasizing the widespread social media addiction.
Social media addiction in the country is driven by factors like the dopamine feedback loop, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the need for personal validation. Constant accessibility and social pressure further reinforce this behavior, making it difficult for many to disconnect.
Source: California State University, Addiction Help.com, Data Reportal.
Social Media Addiction Statistics By Gender
Globally, 6% of men and 32% of women are addicted to social media, revealing a notable gender gap in digital dependence.
In the United States, this pattern is consistent, with 26% of men and 34% of women affected by social media addiction, showing a slightly higher rate among women.
Social media addiction is more prevalent among women due to their focus on social connections, validation, and emotional expression. Younger women (18-34) are more engaged in relationship-building, while older women (35-50) use social media to stay connected.
Cultural pressures, the need for community, and targeted content further drive higher engagement, making social media more addictive for women.
Source: Addiction Help.com
Social Media Addiction Statistics By Age
Social media addiction is most common among 18-22-year-olds in the U.S., with 40% of them reporting addiction.
The trend persists among 23-38-year-olds, with 37% of this age group similarly affected. For many in this demographic, social media remains a key part of managing both personal and professional lives during their career and family-building years.
In contrast, 55-64-year-olds show a lower but still notable 21% rate of addiction, indicating that while social media’s influence diminishes with age, it still plays an important role in keeping older adults connected to family, friends, and current events.
The following table displays the rate of social media addiction among different age groups.
| Age Group | Share Of People Addicted To Social Media |
|---|---|
| 18-22-year-olds | 40% |
| 23-38-year-olds | 37% |
| 39-54-year-olds | 26% |
| 55-64-year-olds | 21% |
Source: Think Now
Social Media Users In The United States By Generation
Millennials (born 1980-1994) make up a large share of social media users, representing 37%, while Gen Z (born 1995-2012) follows closely at 25%.
Despite being a smaller group, Gen Z is more addicted to social media due to factors like constant connectivity, peer influence, and the appeal of influencers. This generation is highly connected to social media and uses it as a primary tool for communication, entertainment, and social interaction.
Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) have the lowest share, making up only 10% of users, and primarily use social media to stay connected with family and friends.
The following table displays the share of social media users by generation:
| Generation | Share Of Social Media Users |
|---|---|
| Gen Z (1995-2012) | 25% |
| Millennials (1980-1994) | 37% |
| Generation X (1965-1979) | 28% |
| Baby Boomer (1946-1964) | 10% |
Source: Statista
Social Media Addiction Statistics By Race
White Americans in the United States have the highest social media addiction, with 32% showing dependency on social media.
Hispanic Americans follow closely at 29%, indicating strong social media use in this group. Asian Americans have a slightly lower addiction rate of 27%, while African Americans report the lowest at 25%.
White Americans may have higher social media addiction due to greater access to technology, cultural exposure, and more engagement with platforms. Social pressures, the influence of influencers, and targeted ads also play a role.
The following table displays the share of social media users addicted by race:
| Race | Share Of Social Media Users Addicted |
|---|---|
| White Americans | 32% |
| Hispanic Americans | 29% |
| Asian Americans | 27% |
| African Americans | 25% |
Source: Think Now
What Percentage Of Gen Z Is Addicted To Social Media?
82% of Gen Zs believe they are addicted to social media.
About 47% of adult Gen Z social media users spend 2-4 hours per day on these platforms, while 60% spend at least 4 hours, and 22% dedicate seven or more hours daily.
In response to their usage, 83% of adult Gen Z have taken steps to reduce their social media time. Common actions include unfollowing or muting accounts (42%), deleting apps (40%), and disabling notifications both outside of and within apps (36% and 32%, respectively).
Source: The Harris Pole
Nearly 94% of Gen Z are active on social media.
In the U.S., around 61.1 million Gen Z individuals engage with social media regularly.
On average, Gen Z spends about 2 hours and 43 minutes per day on social media, and 50% of them check in daily. When considering overall online time, the typical Gen Z spends over 10.6 hours connected to the internet each day.
Gen Z’s social media use has soared because they’ve grown up surrounded by technology, making these platforms a natural part of their lives. They engage with social media to stay connected and express themselves, find communities, and build their identities in real-time.
Source: Business Dasher
41% of Gen Z cite wasting too much time as the primary reason for quitting social media.
In fact, over half of Gen Z are looking to reduce their social media usage. In addition to wasting time, 35% of individuals mentioned the overwhelming negativity on these platforms, while 17% reported feeling bad about themselves because of social media.
Besides, 72% of Gen Z adults think people in their age group spend too much time on social media.
Gen Z believes their generation devotes too much time to social media. That could explain why 58% of Gen Z’ers are trying to reduce their social media consumption.
Source: Hill Holiday
Social Media Addiction Among Teens And Children
Nearly 97% of teenagers use at least one popular social media platform like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.
These platforms keep them engaged for hours daily as they consume videos, memes, and posts that offer entertainment and real-time updates.
Social media also creates a FOMO (fear of missing out) effect, pushing teens to stay connected and keep up with trends, events, and conversations. This constant online presence becomes part of their routine, driven by the need to stay in the loop.
However, while social media connects teens with others and entertains them, it also brings about anxiety. The pressure to curate a perfect online image, the urge to compare themselves to others, and the fear of judgment can lead to stress and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, the nonstop flow of news and online debates can further heighten these anxiety levels.
Source: News@TheU
How Many Teens Are Addicted To Social Media?
A significant 36% of teens acknowledge spending excessive time and being addicted to social media.
Of these teens, 41% of girls feel they spend too much time on social media, compared to 31% of boys.
On the other hand, 55% of teens believe their social media usage is appropriate, and only 8% feel they spend too little time.
Young adults aged 16 to 24 are the most active on social media, with females spending an average of 2 hours and 59 minutes per day and males spending around 2 hours and 38 minutes.
On average, this age group spends about 2 hours and 48 minutes daily on social platforms. Such extended usage can lead to social media addiction, leading to a growing dependency on these platforms for daily interaction and entertainment.
However, there’s a visible shift towards better screen time management. Around 36% have taken intentional breaks from social media, 32% have deleted apps due to overuse, and 24% removed apps because of their negative effects on mental health or self-esteem.
These steps highlight a growing awareness among younger users about the need to maintain a healthier balance in their digital lives.
The following table displays the average time spent on social media by age group and gender:
| Age Bracket | Females | Males | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-24 years | 2 hrs 59 mins | 2 hrs and 38 mins | 2 hrs and 48 mins |
| 25-34 years | 2 hrs and 46 mins | 2 hrs and 30 mins | 2 hrs and 38 mins |
| 35-44 years | 2 hrs and 22 mins | 2 hrs and 15 mins | 2 hrs and 18 mins |
| 45-54 years | 2 hrs and 4 mins | 1 hr and 51 mins | 1 hr and 57 mins |
| 55-64 years | 1 hr and 47 mins | 1 hr and 33 mins | 1 hr and 40 mins |
Source: Data Reportal, Grove Treatment
48% of teens who spend five or more hours a day on electronic devices exhibit at least one suicide risk factor, compared to 33% of teens who spend only two hours daily on such devices.
Lindsey Giller, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, explains that teens constantly receive feedback about how much others approve of them and their appearance through social media interactions like likes and follows.
This constant stream of validation leaves little room for a break from technology. Giller has observed that this constant exposure can contribute to anxiety, poor self-esteem, insecurity, and sadness among teens, all of which are linked to excessive social media use.
Source: Sage Journals, Harvard Graduate School of Education,
How Many Students Are Addicted To Social Media?
Over 60% of college students in the US report being addicted to social media.
This addiction can have a significant impact on their academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being.
Young social media users aged 18 to 22 make up a staggering 40% of all Americans addicted to social media. These individuals spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms, which can negatively affect their productivity and social interactions.
Research from San Diego State University has shown that teenagers who spend over 5 hours on social media are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues, including an increased risk of suicide.
Source: Brighter Strides
Social Media Addiction Statistics By Country
According to the latest data, people in Nigeria are most addicted to social media, spending an average social media time of 4 hours and 49 minutes.
The Philippines ranks second, with an average of 4 hours and 1 minute per day spent on social media. South Africa follows closely, with users engaging for 3 hours and 56 minutes daily on social media platforms.
Brazil and Colombia also demonstrate high social media engagement levels, averaging 3 hours and 47 minutes and 3 hours and 41 minutes, respectively.
Here are further details about the countries with the highest social media usage time worldwide:
- Nigeria: 4 hours and 49 minutes
- Philippines: 4 hours and 01 minutes
- South Africa: 3 hours and 56 minutes
- Brazil: 3 hours and 47 minutes
- Colombia: 3 hours and 41 minutes
- Ghana: 3 hours and 32 minutes
- Mexico: 3 hours and 26 minutes
- Kenya: 3 hours and 25 minutes
- Argentina: 3 hours and 32 minutes
- Indonesia: 3 hours and 19 minutes
Source: Lifestyle Asia
Social Media Addiction Effects
Users who spend 3 or more hours a day on social media are more likely to experience negative feelings about their social well-being.
Lululemon’s Global Wellbeing survey reveals a clear connection between social media usage and feelings of social inadequacy. The survey asked users if social media caused them to feel like they were “missing out” or led them to “compare themselves to others.”
The results showed that 33% of users who spend more than 3 hours daily on social media reported these negative feelings. In contrast, only 20% of users who spend an hour or less on social media daily expressed the same concerns. This suggests that prolonged social media use is more likely to negatively impact social well-being.
Source: Lululemon
26.1% of social media addicts reported experiencing sleep disturbances.
A study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) revealed that 36.9% of social media users exhibit signs of addiction, with similar rates observed in both private and government colleges.
When it comes to physical symptoms, eye strain (38.4%) and neck pain (30.7%) were the most common, while gastritis was the least reported symptom (1.9%). On the psychological side, anger (25.5%) was the most frequently observed issue, and sleep disturbances (26.1%) emerged as the most common behavioral concern.
In addition, 10.1% of social media addicts also reported engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and using chewable tobacco.
Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information
Facebook negatively impacts 12.5% of its user base.
Facebook, one of the most popular social media platforms globally, has a user base of 3.07 billion. However, a recent survey revealed that roughly 1 in 8 of its users report that Facebook negatively impacts aspects of their lives, such as work, sleep, or parenting.
Considering Facebook’s massive global user count, over 383 million users could face these disruptions, underscoring the significant potential for social media to affect daily routines and well-being.
Instagram, which is the most preferred social media platform by 16.7% of users, has been linked to various mental health issues, including low self-esteem and anxiety. These concerns highlight the platform’s impact on the well-being of many of its users.
Source: Business Insider, Data Reportal.
Causes Of Social Media Addiction
On average, 35.1% of online time is dedicated to social media.
This excessive use can lead to social media addiction, which poses significant mental health risks. Prolonged consumption of social media has been linked to various issues, including social isolation, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, emphasizing the importance of mindful usage to protect mental well-being.
Here are further details about the share of online time dedicated to social media usage by quarter:
- Q2 2022: 37.2%
- Q3 2022: 38.1%
- Q4 2022: 36.5%
- Q1 2023: 36.4%
- Q2 2023: 35.9%
- Q3 2023: 35.7%
- Q4 2023: 35.5%
- Q1 2024: 35.8%
- Q2 2024: 35.1%
Source: Data Reportal, Addiction center
One of the primary drivers of social media addiction is filling spare time, with nearly 4 in 10 users turning to these platforms simply to occupy themselves during idle moments.
Additionally, about 33% of users rely on social media to stay updated with news, while 29% use it to follow trending conversations and see what’s being talked about.
These behaviors, while seemingly harmless, contribute to prolonged time spent on these platforms, often resulting in an increased dependency that can lead to social media addiction.
The table below shows the main reasons social media users give for using these platforms:
| Why Do People Use Social Media | Share Of Social Media Users |
|---|---|
| Keeping in touch with friends and family | 51.50% |
| Filling spare time | 39.00% |
| Reading news stories | 34.40% |
| Finding content (e.g., articles, videos) | 30.40% |
| Seeing what’s being talked about | 29.10% |
| Finding products to purchase | 26.90% |
| Finding inspiration for things to do and buy | 26.70% |
| Watching live streams | 23.70% |
| Watching or following sports | 23.50% |
| Seeing content from your favorite brands | 22.30% |
| Sharing and discussing opinions with others | 22.20% |
| Work-related networking or research | 22.00% |
| Making new contacts | 21.90% |
| Posting about your life | 19.60% |
| Following celebrities or influencers | 19.50% |
Source: Data Reportal
Social Media Addiction Statistics: Summary
| Statistic | Data |
|---|---|
| Total global social media users | 5.2 billion |
| Users affected by social media addiction | 210 million |
| Americans addicted to social media | 33.19 million (10%) |
| Teenagers struggling to quit social media | 54% |
| Americans who feel addicted to social media | 30% |
| Average daily social media usage (Americans) | 2 hours 24 minutes |
Conclusion: 10% Of The Americans Are Addicted To Social Media
Social media addiction is a growing concern in today’s digital world. With over 5.22 billion people using social platforms globally, the average person spends about 2.5 hours a day scrolling. Alarmingly, approximately 210 million people worldwide struggle with social media addiction.
In the United States, 1 in 10 users are addicted to social media, and nearly 30% admit they spend far too much time on it. For teens, the numbers are even more concerning—almost 60% say they overuse social media, often leading to anxiety, disrupted sleep, and reduced productivity.
