40+ Millennials On Social Media Statistics That Will Shape 2025

Social media is shifting fast, and millennials aren’t engaging like they used to. 

According to the latest Millennials On Social Media Statistics, traditional platforms are losing ground, while short-form video and influencer-driven content dominate.

Ignoring these trends? That means missing out on a generation that spends 2 hours and 25 minutes daily online and trusts social media ads more than traditional marketing.

To help you stay ahead, we did the hard work for you. Here are the must-know stats and trends that will shape millennial social media this 2025—so you don’t fall behind.

Key takeaways:

• Millennials stay connected, with 86% using social media and managing 8.4 accounts on average.
• Influencers drive sales, as 56% have bought a product based on influencer recommendations.
• Friends influence purchases, with 65% buying from social media recommendations, compared to 40% of Boomers.
• YouTube dominates, with 54% checking daily and 35% preferring it over TV
• Doomscrolling impacts mental health, as 50% feel guilty about scrolling and 47% feel hopeless.
• Social media anxiety is dropping, with 37% seeing benefits, and stress levels down 11% since 2021.
• Millennials spend two hours and fifteen minutes daily on social media, staying highly engaged.

How much time do millennials spend on social media?

Ever feel like Millennials are always online? You’re not wrong.

Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are the most connected generation, spending 2 hours and 25 minutes daily on social media. 

That’s less than Gen Z (3 hours) but more than Baby Boomers (1 hour), according to a global survey conducted in 2021.

Daily social media usage of millennials 

Millennials aren’t just using social media—they are deeply immersed in digital life. 

Their content consumption habits break down like this:

• 20% spend more than 20 hours per week online
• 12% spend between 15-20 hours
• 16% spend 10-15 hours
• 23% spend 5-10 hours
• 18% spend at least 5 hours
• Only 8% spend less than 5 hours

Nearly 100% of Millennials are internet users, and 19% rely solely on smartphones for internet access. No laptops, no desktops—just their phones.

With smartphones always within reach, 86% of Millennials are active on social media. On average, they manage 8.4 social media accounts each.

But social media isn’t the only screen they spend time on. Millennials are the largest smartphone user group in the U.S., with 71.2 million smartphone owners. That’s 96.3% of the generation.

Tablet use is also common. By 2024, 40.9 million Millennials were tablet users, making up 54.4% of their demographic.

The most popular social media platforms for millennials in 2025

Millennials are everywhere online, but not all platforms hold their attention equally.

Millennials dominate social media, with 68.8% actively using it in 2024. They are more engaged than any other adult demographic.

While some networks continue to grow, others are losing traction.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where Millennials spend their time in 2025:

• Instagram is the top Millennial platform, with 36.5% of its users (51.7 million people) actively engaging. They spend around 35 minutes daily, and usage keeps climbing.
• TikTok is growing fast, with 33% of users (35.9 million Millennials). They spend 40 minutes per day, making it a major player in the short-form video space.
• Facebook still has 67% of Millennials using it, but engagement is fading. They spend less time scrolling and are shifting to other platforms.
• YouTube is a top video hub, with 35% of Millennials preferring it over traditional TV. They watch for long stretches, making it a go-to for content consumption.
• Snapchat attracts 33.6% of Millennials (30.6 million people), but Instagram Stories is pulling users away. Engagement is dropping compared to past years.
• Twitter/X still holds 33% of Millennials, mostly for news, trending topics, and real-time discussions.
• LinkedIn is a networking powerhouse, with 47% of its users being Millennials. They use it for job hunting, industry updates, and professional connections.
• Pinterest is huge for Millennial discovery, with nearly 80% of Millennial women and 40% of Millennial men using it for inspiration. Shopping and lifestyle content keep them engaged.

Millennials favor Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, while Facebook fades. Short-form video dominates, and engagement is shifting fast.

Want to connect with your target audience? Meet them where they actually spend their time.

How millennials engage with social media content

Millennials are constantly connected, but what keeps them engaged? From short-form videos to interactive posts, they consume content differently than other generations.

The type of content that gets the most engagement

Millennials love video—54% check YouTube daily! Short, engaging clips keep their attention better than text. Brands using video see 89% better ROI and 66% more leads.

Hop on trends fast! Memes, viral challenges, and reel formats grab Millennials’ attention. But authenticity matters too—90% prefer real, user-generated content over ads.

Millennials want quick, valuable info—think how-tos, current events, and educational content. Teach them something, and they’ll keep coming back.

Polls, quizzes, and viral-worthy posts boost engagement. Encouraging tags and shares expands reach and builds community around your brand.

Millennials back brands that stand for something—61% care about social causes. Support sustainability, fair work, or equality, and they’ll engage and advocate for you.

Social media as a news source for millennials

Traditional news is fading—88% of Millennials get news from Facebook, making it their top source. 57% check Facebook for news daily, while 83% turn to YouTube and 50% use Instagram for updates.

Other platforms are growing as news hubs too—33% of Millennials get news from Twitter/X, 36% from Pinterest, 23% from Reddit, and 21% from Tumblr.

Millennials prefer bite-sized, visual news and trust content from influencers and peers more than traditional media. 

They engage with news by liking (60%), sharing (42%), and commenting (34%) on stories they see online.

How millennials interact with brands on social media

Millennials don’t just scroll—they connect. They follow brands they like, engage with content, and even make buying decisions based on what they see online.

To grab their attention, brands need to be real, relatable, and interactive. Let’s break down what makes them hit “follow” and “buy.”

Why millennials follow & engage with brands

Millennials expect more than ads—they want brands to feel like a friend. 75% find ads annoying, but they still engage with brands that entertain and connect with them.

Engagement matters. Millennials are 25% more likely than Gen X and Boomers to buy from social media ads. They value fun (43%) and informative (29%) content the most.

Social ads work—but trust is key. While many use ad blockers, Millennials are 25% more likely to engage with well-crafted social ads. 56% have purchased after seeing a product post from someone they follow.

Personalization wins. 74% of Millennials prefer brands that support causes they believe in, and 48% actively seek out socially responsible brands. Aligning with their values builds lasting trust.

How social media marketing influences millennials’ buying decisions

• Influencers drive purchases. 56% of Millennials have bought something based on an influencer’s post. They trust relatable, everyday influencers over celebrities.
• Peers matter more than ads. 65% of Millennials buy based on a friend’s social media recommendation, compared to 40% of Baby Boomers.
• Every Millennial is an influencer. 50% share brand preferences, and 70% feel responsible for giving feedback—good or bad.
• Content creation is second nature. 46% of Millennials create and post their own videos, spending 15 minutes per piece to make it perfect.

Social media & millennial engagement – what does the data suggest?

Millennials love social media, but 50% feel guilty about wasting time scrolling. Other top concerns? 47% feel hopeless about the state of the world, and 43% report increased anxiety.

But it’s not all bad—only 13% say social media negatively impacts their mental health, and social media-related anxiety is down 11% since 2021.

On a bigger scale, 37% believe social media benefits society.

For marketers, the takeaway is clear: avoid overwhelming content. Instead, create engaging, uplifting, and stress-free experiences that add value without burnout. 

FAQs

Got more questions? We’ve got answers!

Are millennials getting off social media?

Not entirely. 86% of Millennials are still active on social media, but they’re changing how they engage. Many prioritize short-form video and influencer-driven content over traditional platforms.

What do millennials value most in life?

Millennials prioritize work-life balance, financial stability, and personal growth. They also make 21% of all consumer purchases and are increasingly using social media to influence their buying decisions.

Where do millennials hang out online?

Millennials are most active on Instagram (36.5%), YouTube (35%), and Facebook (67%). TikTok (33%) and LinkedIn (47%) are also major platforms for engagement.

What percentage of millennials don’t use social media?

Only 14% of Millennials have completely opted out of social media, meaning the vast majority—86%—are still highly active and using an average of 8.4 platforms each.

Final thoughts

The latest Millennials On Social Media Statistics show a shift—Facebook is fading, while short-form video and influencers dominate.

To keep Millennials engaged, focus on interactive, personalized, and video-driven content like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Static posts won’t cut it. Polls, Q&As, and UGC drive real engagement. Adapt now, or risk losing their attention.

Want better ad performance? See how Cropink can help. Try it for free!

Sources

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