Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
U.S. internet user demographics - age groups - Statistics & Facts
When it comes to internet usage patterns, age is a very important element because of certain habits and digital skillset among younger generations. Among adult internet users in the United States, individuals between 30 and 49 years old had the highest representation. However, younger generations, between 18 and 29 years old, remained the most active internet users in the country, as over 60 percent of them were almost constantly online.
It does not come as a surprise that things are different with TikTok. In 2023, over 76 percent of internet users in the United States between 18 and 24 years were TikTok users, closely followed by those between 12 and 17 years old.
With or without AI use, the internet is constantly transforming. It is as necessary and relevant as ever to follow closely how different age groups are shaping the internet and vice versa.
Smartphones reign among connected device usage
In 2023, U.S. users preferred going online via smartphones over other devices. More than two in ten users between 18 and 54 years old spent 40 hours or more using their smartphones weekly. Around a quarter of surveyed Generation Z and millennials , or respondents between 18 and 34 years old, reported spending 10-19 hours using smartphones weekly.Online activities across different age groups
The range of online activities among smartphone users in the United States varies across different age groups. Those between 18 and 34 years old were more likely than any other age group to watch videos on their smartphones and the ones who were most into mobile gaming. Audiences between 35 and 64 years also watched videos online, but the majority did so on a TV set connected to the internet, along with smartphones. Out of all age groups, online users 35 to 54 years old were the ones most likely to research and purchase products via smartphone, and adults aged 55 years and older were the most eager users of online weather services.Social media preferences differ by age
Looking closely at usage patterns of selected most frequently used social media platforms, it stands out that young adults between 24 and 35 years old were the most active social media users in the United States. For instance, Facebook, the most popular social media website in the United States as of March 2024, had its most significant user base among 25-34-year-olds. Instagram was also used mainly by the same age group, around 28 percent, while being almost equally popular among young adults aged 25-34 years.It does not come as a surprise that things are different with TikTok. In 2023, over 76 percent of internet users in the United States between 18 and 24 years were TikTok users, closely followed by those between 12 and 17 years old.
All eyes are on AI
With its newly found popularity, artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to have notable impact on people’s lives and overall society in the near future. Yet when it comes to making decisions, users in the United States are rather skeptical about the usage of artificial intelligence tools. However, opinions on AI’s ability to make ethical decisions vary depending on users’ age, with older generations having least faith in it.With or without AI use, the internet is constantly transforming. It is as necessary and relevant as ever to follow closely how different age groups are shaping the internet and vice versa.
Ani Petrosyan
,
Jul 19, 2024
Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
