Canadians’ reported experiences using social media, 2018/2019

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Release date: March 24, 2021
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Infographic: Canadians’ reported experiences using social media, 2018/2019
Description: Canadians’ reported experiences using social media, 2018/2019

Canadians’ reported experiences using social media, 2018/2019

Over 90% of Canadians aged 15 to 34 regularly use social media.

% of Canadians who use social media apps or websites, Canada, 2018/2019

Ages 15 to 19: 92%

Ages 20 to 24: 94%

Ages 25 to 29: 92%

Ages 30 to 34: 90%

Ages 35 to 49: 81%

Ages 50 to 64: 63%

Ages 65 and older: 36%

Youth are the greatest and most intense social media users.

More than 50% of social media users aged 15 to 24 used three or more social media apps or websites, compared with less than 25% of those aged 30 and older.

Canadians report negative experiences associated with social media use.

Lost sleep was the most common negative experience associated with social media use. It was most prevalent among youth.


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1 Lost sleep (appearing as column headers).
Lost sleep
Ages 15 to 19 47%
Ages 20 to 24 28%
Ages 25 to 29 21%
Ages 30 to 34 20%
Ages 35 to 49 16%
Ages 50 to 64 7%

About one-fifth of youth experienced negative emotion-related outcomes.


Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2 Felt anxious or depressed (appearing as column headers).
Felt anxious or depressed
Ages 15 to 19 23%
Ages 20 to 24 22%
Ages 25 to 29 19%
Ages 30 to 34 15%
Ages 35 to 49 12%
Ages 50 to 64 6%

Intensity of social media use is associated with these negative experiences.

Three times as many users with three or more accounts reported negative experiences as those with one account.

Source: Schimmele C, J. Fonberg and G. Schellenberg. "Canadians’ assessments of social media in their lives." Economic and Social Reports 2021; 1(3): DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202100300004-eng.

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