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SocialUsage analysis of Pew Research Center · 2025 data
The U.S. platform age gap, in three comparisons
Instagram, Reddit and YouTube show different adoption gaps between younger and older U.S. adults. Compare the same age groups within one survey, then follow the calculation back to its source.
Read the analysisDescriptive differences between groups, not change over time or a significance test. Analysis published October 1, 2026.
Source: Pew Research Center, Social Media Fact Sheet. Fieldwork February 5–June 18, 2025. All U.S. adults in each age group, including non-internet users.
View chart data and calculation
| Age group | Ever use (%) |
|---|---|
| 18–29 | 80 |
| 65+ | 19 |
SocialUsage calculation: 80 − 19 = 61 percentage points, using the source's rounded published estimates. This is a group comparison, not evidence that age causes use.
Pew Research Center bears no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations of the data presented here. The opinions expressed herein, including any implications for policy, are those of the author and not of Pew Research Center.
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Read our comparison standards →Explore our European analysis
A separate Eurostat report compares social-network participation among EU individuals aged 16–24 and 65–74 in 2025. That survey uses a different population and activity window from the U.S. collections.
The age gap in European social-network participation →