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Internet users in the UK are more fond of YouTube than Facebook. The video streaming platform overtook Metas social network as the UKs most-used social media in May 2023. And while 18-24 year-olds visit an average of six platforms, 96% of them go to YouTube, according to the latest Ofcom report.

In the UK, YouTube has overtaken Facebook (including Messenger) to become the most-used social platform. With a total adult audience of 43.5 million in May 2023, the video platform is used by 91% of online adults, according to the Online Nation report from the UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom.

Facebook, meanwhile, comes in second place, recording a drop of 1.4 million adult visitors between May 2022 and May 2023. With a total adult audience of 43.4 million, it is used by more than nine in ten adults.

TikTok on the rise

TikTok saw a notable increase, overtaking LinkedIn to reach fifth place with an audience of 21.2 million UK adults in May 2023, an increase of 4.6 million compared to May 2022. Some 44% of online adults use TikTok (+9 pts in one year), which continues to appeal strongly to young adults, indicating a shift in social media preferences among younger generations.

The photo-sharing app BeReal has grown in popularity, particularly among 18-24 year-olds, reaching 1.4 million UK adult users in May 2023. CapCut, a video editing app, has also grown in popularity, especially among younger users.

Demographic differences

The research reports that almost all children (97%) aged 8 to 12 had visited a social networking service, with notable differences in usage by age. Platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat were widely used, with a trend for greater usage among older children.

Between January and February 2023, 96% of 8-12 year-olds went on YouTube, 72% on Facebook, and 66% on TikTok. Some 72% of 11-12 year-olds used TikTok, compared with 37% of 8-10 year-olds. Even though the Chinese platform is technically out-of-bounds for under-13s, one in five 8-10 year-olds visited the app every day.

Among internet users aged between 18 and 24, half of whom use six social networks, 96% visited YouTube in May 2023, 87% went on Facebook and Facebook Messenger, 86% went on Instagram, 72% on TikTok, 71% on Snapchat and 61% on X, formerly TikTok.

Girls spend longer on Snapchat

There are clear differences in the amount of time spent on social networks by age group. For example, Facebook visitors aged 45 and over spent an average of 29 minutes a day on the platform, compared to just 12 minutes for 18-24 year-olds.

Conversely, young adults spent more time on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat: In May 2023 the 3.8 million UK 18-24-year-old TikTok visitors spent an average 55 minutes on TikTok per day (May 2022: 3.5 million, 53 minutes), while the 3.8 million 18-24-year-old Snapchat visitors spent 58 minutes per day (May 2022: 3.5 million, 42 minutes).

In comparison, those aged 45+ visiting TikTok (8.2 million) and Snapchat (1.8 million) spent on average 9 minutes daily on each service in May 2023 (May 2022: TikTok 11 minutes and Snapchat 5 minutes), reads the report.

The 36% of online 8-12-year-olds who used Snapchat spent an average of 1 hour and 18 minutes a day on the app, with girls spending 33 minutes more on the app than boys.

And while YouTube was the most popular choice, used by 96% of online 8-12-year-olds, they spent less time on the platform, at 63 minutes. Unlike Snapchat, boys spent longer on YouTube than girls, with 1 hour and 19 minutes versus 48 minutes.

As for TikTok, the 66% of TikTok-using online 8-12 year-olds spent 46 minutes a day on the platform, with 52 minutes for girls and 37 minutes for boys. AFP Relaxnews

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YouTube is the UK's favourite social media - The Star Online

LinkedIn is the most powerful and important professional social networking platform for business professionals at every level of their careers especially those who are in the C-suite or in a senior leadership role.

Its importance lies in its ability to not only connect leaders with a vast professional network but also to serve as a pivotal tool for influencing industry conversations, showcasing thought leadership, and driving meaningful business outcomes.

For C-suite executives and founders venturing onto LinkedIn, its important to remember that the platform is not just a networking site; its a powerful stage to solidify your thought leadership and expand your professional influence.

Crafting your narrative is key to shaping your personal brand and making a lasting impact on LinkedIn. Learn more about what to focus on in your content to truly resonate with and engage with your audience on LinkedIn.

Industry Expertise

For executives seeking to enhance their LinkedIn strategy, leveraging industry expertise is key. As a leader, your unique perspective on trends, challenges and future directions in your field is invaluable. Heres how you can effectively share this expertise on LinkedIn.

By focusing on industry expertise in your LinkedIn content, you not only demonstrate thought leadership but also contribute valuable knowledge to your network, fostering a reputation as an insightful and forward-looking executive.

Your Journey and Lessons Learned

In the broader context of LinkedIn success strategies for executives, one of the most impactful approaches is the art of authentic storytelling. Sharing your journey, encompassing both professional and personal experiences, is not just about narrating events; its about connecting on a human level and offering valuable insights to your network.

Incorporating these elements into your LinkedIn content strategy as an executive not only enhances your presence on the platform but also reinforces your position as a thought leader who values authenticity, learning, and community building.

Balanced Recognition: Celebrating Successes on LinkedIn Without Boasting

For executives on LinkedIn, sharing personal and professional achievements is essential, but its crucial to do so in a way that avoids coming across as boastful. Heres how to celebrate your milestones while maintaining humility and acknowledging the collective effort behind your successes:

By adopting this balanced approach to celebrating your successes, you can effectively showcase your achievements on LinkedIn without appearing boastful, instead offering inspiration, insight and appreciation for the collective efforts that contribute to individual success.

4. Celebrate Your Team: Recognize and celebrate your teams accomplishments on LinkedIn. This not only boosts morale but also showcases your companys culture of collaboration and excellence on a public platform. In addition, it reinforces a positive work environment where each members contributions are valued and recognized, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose within the wider professional community.

How to Do It on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways for Effective LinkedIn Engagement

Remember, your LinkedIn profile is so more than just a digital resume; its a platform to share your professional journey, insights and celebrate achievements, fostering a strong professional network. As a leader, your contributions can inspire and influence many, making LinkedIn an invaluable tool for personal and professional growth.

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How to Build Your LinkedIn Presence as a C-Suite Executive or ... - The Social Media Butterfly

Social media has become a revolutionary force in the ever-changing realm of communication, transforming the ways in which we interact, connect, and exchange information with each other and the outside world. Its influence extends beyond geographical boundaries, promoting international dialogue and altering the nature of human interaction.

Social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook have proliferated and gotten easy to use in our everyday lives. With more than 4.6 billion active users globally, social media platforms have democratized communication by enabling people to connect with people from all across continents and cultures.

Transforming the Flow of Information

The dissemination and consumption of knowledge has been radically transformed by social media. Once the main gatekeepers of news and information, traditional media sources are now in competition with a large network of social media users who can all create and share material.

People can now share breaking news, real-time updates, and a variety of viewpoints as citizen journalists because to the democratization of information. Social media has been essential in igniting social movements, providing voice to underrepresented groups, and upending established hierarchies of power.

Bridging Cultural Divides

Social networking has brought people from different origins and cultures together, bridging geographic divides. It has given rise to a forum for intercultural dialogue that promotes respect and understanding of various viewpoints and customs.

Social media allows people to converse in real time with people all around the world, bridging linguistic and cultural divides. This kind of cross-cultural exchange can help foster empathy, tolerance, and a feeling of global community.

Revolutionizing Business Communication

Social media has completely changed how companies communicate with their stakeholders and clients. It has given people a direct line of communication, which has helped companies promote their brands, get client feedback, and serve customers.

Social media has developed into an effective marketing tool that enables companies to communicate with customers in a more tailored way, reach a larger audience, and target particular demographics. It has also revolutionized the way companies find and hire employees by giving them a forum to interact with prospects and present their corporate culture.

Challenges and Considerations

Social media has transformed society, but it has not come without challenges. The quick diffusion of information can result in the proliferation of false and misleading information, endangering social cohesion and well-informed decision-making.

Furthermore, social media can produce echo chambers, where people are only exposed to imformation that confirms their preexisting opinions. This restricts their exposure to a range of viewpoints and prevents candid communication.

The Future of Global Communication

Since social media is still relatively new, its effects on international communication will probably continue to change in the years to come. The methods by which we communicate and exchange information will continue to change as new platforms and technological advancements take place.

Its vital to view social media through a critical perspective, acknowledging that it can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. We can use the power of social media to promote global understanding, collaboration, and progress by encouraging ethical and informed use.

To sum up, social media has completely changed how people communicate globally and how we interact with one other and the environment around us. It has eliminated barriers between cultures, given people more authority, and democratized communication. Social media has enormous potential to foster tolerance, understanding, and a sense of community among people everywhere, despite certain obstacles. It is crucial to view social media with a critical perspective, acknowledging its potential for both positive and bad impact, as we traverse the always changing digital landscape. We can leverage the power of social media to create a future that is more connected, knowledgeable, and cooperative by encouraging responsible and informed use.

The writer is a student.

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Rise of Social Media and its Impact on Global Communication - Daily Times

The Supreme Court agreed on Friday to decide whether Florida and Texas may prohibit large social media companies from removing posts based on the views they express, setting the stage for a major ruling on how the First Amendment applies to powerful tech platforms.

The laws supporters argue that the measures are needed to combat what they called Silicon Valley censorship, saying large platforms had removed posts expressing conservative views on issues like the coronavirus pandemic and claims of election fraud. In particular, they objected to the decisions of some platforms to bar President Donald J. Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Two trade groups, NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, had challenged the laws, saying the First Amendment prevents the government from telling private companies whether and how to disseminate speech.

The courts decision to hear the cases was unsurprising. In each case, both sides had urged the justices to do so, citing a clear conflict between two federal appeals courts. One ruled against the Florida law, the other in favor of the one in Texas.

The approaches of the two states were similar but not identical, Judge Andrew S. Oldham wrote in a decision upholding the Texas law. To generalize just a bit, the Florida law prohibits all censorship of some speakers, while the Texas law prohibits some censorship of all speakers when based on the views they express.

In a statement issued when he signed the Florida bill, Gov. Ron DeSantis, now a Republican presidential candidate, said the point of the law was to promote conservative viewpoints. If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistently, to discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology, they will now be held accountable, he said.

The Texas law applies to social media platforms with more than 50 million active monthly users, including Facebook, YouTube and X, the site formerly known as Twitter. It does not appear to reach smaller platforms that appeal to conservatives, and it does not cover sites that are devoted to news, sports, entertainment and other information that their users do not primarily generate.

The sites in question are largely barred from removing posts based on the viewpoints they express, with exceptions for the sexual exploitation of children, incitement of criminal activity and some threats of violence.

A unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, in Atlanta, last year largely upheld a preliminary injunction against Floridas law.

Social media platforms exercise editorial judgment that is inherently expressive, Judge Kevin C. Newsom wrote for the panel. When platforms choose to remove users or posts, deprioritize content in viewers feeds or search results or sanction breaches of their community standards, they engage in First Amendment-protected activity.

A few months later, a divided three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, reversed a lower courts order blocking the Texas law.

Today we reject the idea that corporations have a freewheeling First Amendment right to censor what people say, Judge Oldham wrote.

He added: The platforms are not newspapers. Their censorship is not speech.

The Supreme Court had already had an encounter with the Texas case, temporarily blocking its law last year while an appeal moved forward. The vote was 5 to 4, with an unusual coalition in dissent.

The courts three most conservative members Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr., Clarence Thomas and Neil M. Gorsuch filed an opinion saying they would have left the law in place and that the issues were so novel and significant that the Supreme Court would have to consider them at some point.

Social media platforms have transformed the way people communicate with each other and obtain news, Justice Alito wrote in the dissent. At issue is a groundbreaking Texas law that addresses the power of dominant social media corporations to shape public discussion of the important issues of the day.

Justice Alito added that he was skeptical of the argument that the social media companies have editorial discretion protected by the First Amendment like that enjoyed by newspapers and other traditional publishers.

It is not at all obvious, he wrote, how our existing precedents, which predate the age of the internet, should apply to large social media companies.

Justice Elena Kagan, a liberal, voted with the dissenters but did not adopt their reasoning or give reasons of her own.

The First Amendment generally prohibits government restrictions on speech based on content and viewpoint but allows private companies to say and convey what they wish.

In a recent Supreme Court brief, lawyers for Texas said the challenged law does not affect the platforms free speech rights because no reasonable viewer could possibly attribute what a user says to the platforms themselves. The brief added: Given the platforms virtually unlimited capacity to carry content, requiring them to provide users equal access regardless of viewpoint will do nothing to crowd out the platforms own speech.

In an earlier brief, the states lawyers wrote that the platforms are the 21st century descendants of telegraph and telephone companies: that is, traditional common carriers. That means, they wrote, that the companies must generally accept all customers.

The Biden administration filed a brief in August urging the justices to hear the cases Moody v. NetChoice, No. 22-277, and NetChoice v. Paxton, No. 22-555 and to rule in the companies favor.

When a social-media platform selects, edits and arranges third-party speech for presentation to the public, it engages in activity protected by the First Amendment, Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar wrote for the administration, adding that the act of culling and curating the content that users see is inherently expressive, even if the speech that is collected is almost wholly provided by users.

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Supreme Court to Hear Challenges to State Laws on Social Media - The New York Times

A University of Queensland study highlights a direct link between young peoples exposure to alcohol-related social media content and problem drinking.

The study led by PhD candidate Brandon (Hsu-Chen) Cheng from UQs Australian National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research examined results from 30 international studies of more than 19,000 people aged 24 and younger.

We investigated the effects of exposure to alcohol-related social media content and also alcohol-related posts on their own social media profiles, Mr Cheng said.

Our study showed young people who were exposed to alcohol-related content on social networking sites consumed more alcohol and drank more frequently than those who did not.

We also found exposure was linked with problem drinking behaviours, such as binge drinking, which is detrimental to physical and mental health.

Social networking sites are not just promoting alcohol consumption, but also encouraging young people to engage in dangerous drinking behaviours.

Professor Jason Connor, Director of the National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, said alcohol consumption is one of the leading risk factors of unintentional injury, self-harm, sexual assault, alcohol overdose and death in young people.

There is overwhelming evidence for tightening regulations on alcohol-related media on social networking sites, Professor Connor said.

Most social media sites are self-regulated, but this has proven to be ineffective, and it can make enforcing restrictions challenging.

For example, the minimum required age to use social media platforms is rarely confirmed by the sites or it can vary.

Preventive measures, like tightening regulations and educating young people and their parents, can help discourage underage teenagers and young adults from engaging in high-risk drinking behaviours.

This will ultimately reduce the considerable disease burden of alcohol use in Australia in one of our most vulnerablepopulation groups.

The study is published in Addiction and discussed in an Addiction podcast.

Media: Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Communications, habs.media@uq.edu.au, +61 435 221 246 @UQHealth

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Problem drinking linked to alcohol on social media - University of Queensland