Age Demographic Study Reveals Concerning Social Media Usage Patterns Among Older Users

A comprehensive research study from SocialProfiler has uncovered troubling trends in how different age groups interact with social media platforms, with particularly concerning findings about users over 46 years old. The late-2025 study, which analyzed 756 million public profiles across major platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, found that older users are significantly more likely to engage with politically polarizing content and conspiracy theories.

The research highlights a stark contrast between younger and older social media users. While teenagers and young adults primarily use platforms like Snapchat, Discord, Tumblr, and TikTok for personal connections and community-building, older demographics—particularly those over 65—are heavily concentrated on Facebook, where problematic content often proliferates.

“Facebook has become the digital living room for many seniors,” explains Dr. Miranda Chen, lead researcher at SocialProfiler. “Our data shows that 34% of over-65s in the UK use Facebook as their only social media platform, and 75% consider it their main online destination.”

This concentration on a single platform becomes particularly problematic given Facebook’s algorithmic design. Users who engage with seemingly innocuous nostalgic content—such as historical photos of British towns—can quickly find themselves directed toward increasingly radical groups promoting xenophobic viewpoints.

Social isolation appears to be a significant factor in this phenomenon. As older adults experience decreasing social connections in physical spaces, many turn to social media for companionship and community. Unfortunately, the platforms’ engagement-driven algorithms often lead these users toward more extreme content over time.

“The algorithmic radicalization process is particularly effective on individuals who lack digital literacy skills,” notes Professor Alan Woodward, a digital media expert at King’s College London. “Many older users haven’t developed the critical evaluation skills needed to distinguish between legitimate news and misinformation, making them vulnerable targets.”

The political implications of these findings are substantial. According to recent polling data, nearly 70% of support for Reform UK—a right-wing populist political party—comes from voters over 50 years old, a demographic known for high electoral participation. This suggests that social media consumption patterns may be directly influencing voting behavior and contributing to political polarization.

Several high-profile politicians have also demonstrated increasingly extreme viewpoints that appear to correlate with their social media usage. Public figures who spend significant time on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) often adopt more radical positions over time, possibly influenced by the content and feedback they encounter online.

The research has prompted calls for more targeted digital literacy programs aimed at older adults. “We’ve been focusing our educational efforts on protecting children online, which remains important,” says Emma Harris from Digital Citizen UK. “However, this research suggests we urgently need similar programs tailored to older adults who may be more susceptible to manipulation through social media.”

Some experts have gone further, suggesting age-based restrictions on certain platforms—a controversial position that raises questions about digital rights and accessibility.

Industry observers note that social media companies have made minimal efforts to address these issues, despite mounting evidence of their platforms’ negative societal impacts. Regulatory frameworks in both the UK and EU have begun addressing online harms, but implementation remains inconsistent.

As digital spaces increasingly influence real-world events—from electoral outcomes to public demonstrations—understanding the demographic dimensions of social media consumption becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining a healthy information ecosystem and democratic discourse.