Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
Internet usage in Canada - Statistics & Facts
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Canada is one of the most prominent online markets in the Americas. Almost every Canadian is connected to the internet and digital audiences are projected to continuously grow, as the internet is an essential part of every day life. From staying in touch with friends and family, to seeking out entertainment, internet users in Canada are making the most of their stable broadband connection.
Furthermore, online services, such as e-banking were also popular among Canadian internet users, with nearly eight in 10 using them as of 2024.
The dynamics of internet usage are constantly changing . Having used online platforms for the past decades, people have become more conscious about certain online patterns. And with more experience comes a better understanding of online tools and environments.
Canada's online audiences
There are nearly 35 million internet users in Canada which is equivalent to nearly 94 percent of the country’s population. Additionally, digital audiences in Canada are projected to grow to around 38 million online users, or over 96 percent of the population by 2028. As per connection types, broadband dominated the Canadian market.Extended usage of mobile
Just like in the majority of markets worldwide, in Canada, the mobile internet usage has long exceeded the other devices used to go online. As of January 2024, 96 percent of online adults in the country accessed the internet via any mobile phone. Canadians often used their mobile phones for social media, e-mail, and instant messaging, with Facebook Messenger being the most popular messaging platform.Internet as an essential part of daily life
The manner in which Canadians access the web mirrors those found in other parts of the globe. Here, too, users consume an extensive amount of online content. In the third quarter of 2023, the average Canadian spent 6.5 hours per day online. Furthermore, online users spend more than three hours watching TV via live broadcast or streaming. E-mail usage was by far the most widely performed online activity, mentioned by nearly 82 percent of Canadian internet users as of March 2024, followed by online banking and social media. Furthermore, more than a half of Canadian internet users could no longer imagine their everyday life without the internet, outweighing the share of online users who had concerns regarding the privacy of their data online.Social media use in Canada
Social networks feature strongly in Canada. As of 2024, there were an estimated 32 million Canadian social media users, which made up over 94 percent of the country’s population. Facebook, the most used platform in the market, generated nearly 46 percent of social network usage. The popular image-sharing and social media platform Pinterest was Canada’s second-most popular social network, with around 25 percent usage, followed by Twitter. Among the popular reasons for using social media platforms, Canadians mentioned keeping in touch with friends and family.E-commerce and online banking
The retail e-commerce market in Canada is projected to grow in the upcoming years, reaching 104 billion U.S. dollars in 2029. In 2025, the e-commerce revenue in Canada is estimated to grow by 13.88 percent. When shopping online, Canadian consumers pay most attention to the costs and savings, as well as the shipping costs.Furthermore, online services, such as e-banking were also popular among Canadian internet users, with nearly eight in 10 using them as of 2024.
Online privacy
Canadian internet users are mostly conscious about online threats. However, they are concerned about distinguishing the real and fake content on the internet. They also express concerns about the possible usage of their personal information by companies. Around 64 percent of surveyed Canadians claimed they only provide financial information on secure websites. Meanwhile, one third of Canadian internet users stated using online privacy tools.The dynamics of internet usage are constantly changing . Having used online platforms for the past decades, people have become more conscious about certain online patterns. And with more experience comes a better understanding of online tools and environments.
Ani Petrosyan
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Nov 22, 2024
Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
