The demographics of social media usage are in constant flux, with platforms evolving to serve different needs and act as virtual town squares to connect people from all over the globe. As a result, different generations have varying preferences and communication styles that influence the platforms they choose. Ooma’s analysis is based on Pew Research Center data that breaks down our complex digital landscape to show age, platform design, and user intent combine to create distinct user communities. Within the team’s data, we see YouTube emerge as the most universal platform, proving popular across all age groups with 65% usage among people over 65 and 94% usage among 30- to 49-year-olds. In fact, YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine after Google and has adapted to connect with Google Search to give itself a big advantage over competing video platforms. YouTube’s enormous library has entertainment, education, and ways to make money, making it appeal to many demographics simultaneously. While many people think Facebook appeals to older generations, the data defies the assumptions, showing that 68% of 18-to-29-year-olds and 78% of 30-to-49-year-olds use it. Overall, Facebook has over 3 billion users worldwide, proving its user base extends beyond baby boomers and Gen X. Newer and emerging platforms show a greater difference between user demographics, with TikTok enjoying 59% usage among 18-to-29-year-olds, but only 10% usage for those over 65. TikTok’s user base skews young worldwide with similar patterns to Snapchat, which is used by 65% of 18-to-29-year-olds and only used by 4% of people over 50. These trends show that social media has a strong influence on communication with younger generations eager to explore new platforms, while older generations are increasingly drawn into the world of digital connection. These patterns reflect a larger picture of the constantly changing nature of human communication.
