Top 30 Essential Social Media Statistics for the UK in 2023
In the ever-evolving world of social media, the United Kingdom is witnessing a significant shift in platform preferences and increasing daily engagement times. As we step into early 2025, TikTok emerges as the fastest-growing social media platform, captivating the hearts of millions of users.
TikTok's Rise
With approximately 24.8 million active users, TikTok's user base in the UK has grown by an impressive 55% from 16 million in 2024. Users spend an average of about 49.5 hours per month on the app, surpassing any other UK app in terms of usage time [1]. The platform's appeal is no longer limited to Gen Z, with older demographics also joining the fun.
Demographics and Usage Patterns
Among Gen Z (born 1997–2012), 94% use at least one social media platform daily. TikTok leads the pack with 83% of Gen Z logging in daily, while Instagram usage has seen a 9% year-over-year decline, reflecting a shift towards short-form video platforms [3]. YouTube is the second most-used platform by Gen Z, with 78% engagement daily.
Newer platforms like Threads (by Meta) have gained 27% weekly usage among this group, while platforms like BeReal are experiencing a 40% daily usage drop, indicating some fatigue with certain social media formats [3].
Daily Social Media Use for All UK Consumers
Around 32% of UK users now spend 3+ hours daily on social media, a 4% increase from the previous year, primarily driven by adults aged 31 and older [5].
Other Major Platforms
Facebook remains significant but is less central in younger demographics compared to TikTok and Instagram. Instagram sees some decline among younger users but remains popular overall. YouTube continues to have very high engagement, especially for long-form video content [2].
Data on daily usage and growth rates for LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter specifically in the UK were not detailed in the latest 2025 sources. However, Twitter (now rebranded as X in some markets) remains relevant globally, with platform visits significant in the US [2], suggesting stable but relatively slower growth in the UK.
Key Findings
TikTok's rapid user growth and extremely high usage intensity mark it as the leading social media platform in the UK for 2025, particularly among younger demographics. Instagram sees some decline, while other platforms maintain steady but less explosive engagement.
References: [1] Sprout Social, TikTok UK Statistics 2025, August 2025 [3] SQ Magazine, Gen Z Social Media Statistics 2025, July 2025 [5] AskAttest, 2025 UK Media Consumption Report, July 2025 [2] Statista, US Social Media Use (context for Twitter/X & broader trends), July 2025
- TikTok's surge in popularity, with an impressive 55% growth in the UK and an average usage time of 49.5 hours per month, indicates a strong shift in users' lifestyle towards short-form video entertainment facilitated by technology.
- As technology continuously reinventing social media platforms, TikTok's dominance among Gen Z and older demographics is a testament to the evolving preferences in entertainment and communication, reflecting the changing landscape of our social media-driven lives.
