Fewer UK adults posting on social media, Ofcom finds
Some experts believe it highlights a social media shift as platforms boost short video.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"People haven't fallen out of love with social media, I think they've just become a lot more intentional about how they show up on it."
— Matt Navarra , Other
"When social media first became popular in the UK in mid-to-late 2000s, posting written updates, photos and videos was novel and exciting, but it's neither of those things anymore."
— Dr Ysabel Gerrard , Academic
"They are increasingly concerned about what they have posted online being there permanently and therefore potentially impacting on them later in life."
— Joseph Oxlade , Academic
"People haven't fallen out of love with social media, I think they've just become a lot more intentional about how they show up on it."
— Matt Navarra , Other
"When social media first became popular in the UK in mid-to-late 2000s, posting written updates, photos and videos was novel and exciting, but it's neither of those things anymore."
— Dr Ysabel Gerrard , Academic
"The rise of video apps such as TikTok and Instagram’s Reels feature meant some users were posting and commenting less than they previously did on platforms like Facebook."
— Joseph Oxlade , Academic
"People haven’t fallen out of love with social media, I think they’ve just become a lot more intentional about how they show up on it."
— Matt Navarra , Other
Key People
Dr. Ysabel Gerrard is a senior lecturer in digital media and society at the University of Sheffield.
Senior research manager at Ofcom.
The first ever openly transgender person to receive an acting nomination at the Oscars.
Social media industry analyst.
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All Coverage
Some experts believe it highlights a social media shift as platforms boost short video.
Ofcom research shows people also concerned old posts could affect personal or professional life
A woman wearing jeans and a denim jacket scrolls on her smartphone whilst on the Tube in London.
UK adults are posting less on social media, and the proportion of users who feel that the benefits of being online outweigh the risks has fallen to 59 percent — down from 72 percent last year — new research by media regulator Ofcom has found.
A new study revealed that U.K. social media users are less active due to the dominance of short-form video on the most popular platforms — in a trend that’s likely reflected across the Western world.
Research published by Ofcom reveals how people in the UK use, understand and feel about the media and online services they interact with in their daily lives.
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