1. Social Media in the UK
Social Media
in the UK
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics
and Department for Culture Media and Sport

2. Source: Office for National Statistics
In 2016, 82% of adults in Great Britain
used the internet daily or almost every day
Social Media in the UK Internet Use

3. Source: Office for National Statistics
Social Media in the UK Types of engagement
In 2016 adults aged 16 to 24 in Great Britain
were most likely to engage in online activities
that focused on leisure or recreation, such as social
networking (91%) or listening to music (87%)
65%
87%
66%
91%

4. wedf
Internet use for social networking is growing,
rising to 63% in 2016.
This was an increase from 45% in 2011
Social Media in the UK Social networking
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
%
63%45%
Source: Office for National Statistics

5. Source: Department for Culture Media and Sport
Social Media in the UK
In England LinkedIn has more users who are male 62%
Instagram has more users who are female 56%
Who uses social media?
Male
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Any social media
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
Female
47% 53%
54% 46%
53% 47%
62% 38%
43% 56%
58% 42%
50% 50%

6. Social Media in the UK Who uses social media?
People with a limiting illness or disability
are less likely to use social media
Source: Department for Culture Media and Sport

7. The more employees a business has,
the more likely it is to use social networks
Social Media in the UK
Businesses with
10 to 49
employees
Businesses with
1,000 or more
employees
49%
83%
Businesses using social media
Source: Office for National Statistics

8. Source: Department for Culture Media and Sport
Over two thirds of those who used
social media did so at least once a day
Social Media in the UK How often?
32%
37%
At least once a day
Several times a day11%
At least 3 to 4 times a week
10%
1 to 2 times a week
11%
Less often than once a month

9. Source: Department for Culture Media and Sport
Social Media in the UK
29%
41%
17%
17%
16%
The most common reasons for using social media are to
find out what’s happening in the local area, and to share
content and views on content
Why do people use social media?

10. Social Media in the UK Platforms
Source: Department for Culture Media and Sport
Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
are the most popular platforms

11. Source: Department for Culture Media and Sport
Social Media in the UK
Instagram had the youngest users,
whilst LinkedIn had the oldest
Platforms
%
Users The age distribution of the population of all adults in England
%
16 to 24 45 to 6425 to 44 65 to 74 75+ 16 to 24 45 to 6425 to 44 65 to 74 75+ 16 to 24 45 to 6425 to 44 65 to 74 75+
40
40
20
20
0
0
LinkedIn
Facebook Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
16 to 24 45 to 6425 to 44 65 to 74 75+ 16 to 24 45 to 6425 to 44 65 to 74 75+ 16 to 24 45 to 6425 to 44 65 to 74 75+

12. Mobile devices used for internet use ‘on the go’
Great Britain, 2016
70%
36%
12%
Social Media in the UK Platforms
Source: Office for National Statistics

13. For more information, visit our website
www.ons.gov.uk
Social Media in the UK