Social Media Usage Over The Past Year
As we are encouraged to stay indoors during a global pandemic, many of us rely on our electronic devices due to boredom. Social media applications such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and more have been downloaded over a billion times. Customers and brands rely on social media to purchase and sell their products, and their presence has grown digitally over the lockdown.
This has led to a significant increase in the amount of daily screen time. And the general observation is that most of this added screen time is spent on social media apps. With the confinement of the lockdown, many prominent figures and celebrities are utilizing such platforms to stay connected and relevant to their audience.
Popular talks show hosts, news hosts, and other actors are airing their programs from the comfort of their living rooms. But those celebrities, just like the rest of us, are in a constant struggle to combat boredom.
Staying connected on social media can help liven up a dull day in lockdown. However, social media is accessible to almost anyone today, and with this, several problems arise. Excessive social media usage, especially in younger people, can lead to mental health issues. It can lead to social anxiety, attention disorders and low self-esteem.
Apart from social media apps, the usage of electronic media for other purposes has also significantly increased. According to a global social media usage statistic report by Smart Insights, the lockdown has seen a 54 per cent growth in streaming services apart from a substantial 43 per cent increase in messaging apps. In contrast, the increase in creating and uploading content has only increased by 16 per cent.
Extended lockdowns may have reduced the will and motivation to create new content. Hence, whether it’s the written word or a podcast or a video, people who make new content are at an added advantage if they’re able to produce quality content in such a time. But, engagement rates have varied across different platforms. On Facebook, the engagement has been highest for influencers. But on Instagram, Higher Ed has seen increased engagement rates.
Digital strategist and digital marketers have had an increased demand over the past 12 months. A career in digital content, either full time or part-time, can provide good returns. But as a user, it’s also essential to understand the dangers of excessive usage and limit ourselves accordingly.
