Primary communication platforms for teenagers in Australia 2024

In 2024, the primary communication platform for Australian teenagers was Snapchat, with 36 percent of them using the service. WhatsApp followed as the second most popular, with only 22 percent of teenagers using it.

Communication trends in Australia's social media use

Social media plays a vital role in how Australians connect and engage online. Among adults, Facebook is the leading platform, with nearly 60 percent of users relying on it to stay connected. Instagram is the second most popular social media site, attracting users with its visual content and interactive features, while WhatsApp comes in third, valued primarily for its reliable messaging. According to a recent 2024 survey on social media activities, the most common answers among Australian consumers were "sent private messages" and "liked posts by other users or followed people", highlighting the importance of both communication and content engagement across these platforms.

Social media's impact on shopping and news

Social media platforms have evolved far beyond their original purpose of communication. They now serve various functions that significantly impact consumer behavior and information dissemination. In 2023, approximately 22 percent of Australian social shoppers reported making purchases influenced by social media or streaming content, emphasizing the growing role of these platforms in e-commerce. Beyond shopping, social media also plays a crucial role in information sharing. According to a survey on media consumption conducted in Australia in 2023, 32 percent of respondents reported that they had used Facebook to share news content, while ten percent of respondents used WhatsApp for these purposes. These trends highlight social media's expanded influence.