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A new report indicates a dramatic shift in how young people are spending their time online, with nearly all major social media platforms experiencing user decline while the popularity of AI chatbots surges. The findings, released Monday by the Institute for Youth Culture Research initiated by saferinternet.at, raise critical questions about the future of social networking and the evolving digital habits of Generation Alpha.
The Youth Internet Monitor 2026, based on a survey of 500 children and young people between the ages of eleven and 17, reveals a surprising trend: despite remaining the most popular platform, even WhatsApp is losing its grip on young users. “Practically all social network platforms are losing users,” a senior official stated, highlighting the widespread nature of the decline.
WhatsApp Still Reigns, But Losing Ground
WhatsApp continues to lead the pack, with 82 percent of those surveyed using the messenger service, and 84 percent using it daily. However, this represents a five percentage point drop compared to the previous year. YouTube follows in second place, utilized by 76 percent of respondents (with one in two using it daily), also experiencing a decline of four percentage points.
Across-the-Board User Decline
The study paints a consistent picture of waning interest in established social media platforms. Snapchat holds third place with 65 percent usage (85 percent daily), closely followed by TikTok and Instagram, both at 64 percent. TikTok boasts a higher rate of daily engagement at 83 percent, compared to Instagram’s 77 percent. Microsoft Teams rounds out the top six with 31 percent user adoption. Notably, all platforms experienced significant user losses year-over-year: Snapchat and Instagram each lost nine percentage points, TikTok eight, and Teams four.
Other apps in use include Pinterest (31 percent), the gaming platform Roblox (23 percent), and the communication platform Discord (18 percent). Twitch, a popular streaming service, reaches 14 percent of those surveyed. The instant photo app BeReal experienced the most dramatic fall, plummeting from nearly a third of users in 2024 to just seven percent today. Interestingly, Signal and Reddit were the only platforms to buck the trend, each gaining nine percent in user adoption.
Gender Divide Narrowing
The report also notes a diminishing gap in platform usage between genders. While YouTube (79 percent of boys versus 73 percent of girls) and TikTok (67 percent of boys versus 61 percent of girls) remain slightly more popular among boys, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram now show no significant gender differences. Discord (28 percent boys versus eight percent girls) and Twitch (23 percent versus five percent) still skew heavily male, though the disparity is lessening, particularly on Roblox (25 percent boys, 21 percent girls). Pinterest, conversely, remains overwhelmingly popular with girls (55 percent versus eight percent of boys). Reddit and X are also used more frequently by boys.
The Rise of Short-Form Video and AI
A significant shift in why young people use these platforms is also apparent. According to Saferinternet.at, the focus has moved away from direct communication and information gathering towards consuming short-form video content. “This was initially a concept primarily influenced by TikTok, but now determines how almost all major platforms work,” one analyst noted. This trend has led to a decline in awareness of specific content creators, with many respondents struggling to name those they follow.
Perhaps the most striking finding is the rapid adoption of AI chatbots, with a staggering 94 percent of young people now using them. This, coupled with the availability of streaming services like Spotify, Netflix, and Disney+, may be contributing to the decline in social media usage. “There also seems to be a feeling of satiety,” a senior official stated, adding that young people are increasingly voicing criticism regarding excessive advertising, harmful content, and hate speech on social networks. Further details from the AI chatbot study will be released on February 9th.
