Facebook Sees Surge in Young Adult Users
Facebook, founded in 2004 in a Harvard University dorm room, initially gained widespread popularity across US college campuses, quickly becoming a dominant platform for mass communication.
Meta announced a significant surge in young adult users on its flagship app, Facebook, marking the highest numbers in three years.[1]
According to Meta, more than 40 million adults aged 18 to 29 in the US and Canada now access Facebook daily, a demographic insight released for the first time by the social media company. This coincided with Facebook's 20th anniversary this year and founder Mark Zuckerberg's 40th birthday.
Meta attributed this growth to five quarters of healthy app usage growth among young adults, demonstrating the effectiveness of its strategic initiatives.
During an event in New York focused on showcasing how young people engage with Facebook, Meta's head of Facebook, Tom Alison, emphasized the platform's evolution to remain relevant for the next generation. Alison underscored the need for Facebook to adapt, responding to queries about whether the platform caters primarily to older generations.
Alison noted that young users are initially drawn to Facebook for features like Marketplace, Groups, and Dating, particularly during significant life events such as moving into their first apartments. While these sections may not feature advertisements, their usage contributes to overall engagement on the platform.
Moreover, Alison highlighted the subsequent exploration of content in the Feed or from Reels, Meta's short video product akin to TikTok, once users are on Facebook.
Facebook, founded in 2004 in a Harvard University dorm room, initially gained widespread popularity across US college campuses, quickly becoming a dominant platform for mass communication.
While Facebook's user base has grown to over 3 billion globally, its popularity among teens has declined, with only about a third of US teens reporting usage, according to Pew Research.[2]
In May, Meta began to expand the labeling of video, audio, and image content created with artificial intelligence (AI) on its platforms.
A month earlier, Meta announced the deployment of a new chip designed to bolster its AI capabilities, a move to lessen dependence on semiconductor suppliers like Nvidia Corp. and other external entities.