The proportion of UK adults actively posting, sharing or commenting on social media has fallen sharply, according to new Ofcom research. Only 49% of adult social media users now engage in such activities, down from 61% in 2024.
The communications watchdog attributed the decline to the rise of video-centric platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels, which encourage passive consumption over interaction. Users also expressed growing concern that old posts could harm their personal or professional lives.
Joseph Oxlade, Ofcom’s senior research manager, said people are increasingly worried about “what they have posted online being there permanently and therefore potentially impacting on them later in life.” The proportion of adults concerned about future repercussions rose from 43% in 2024 to 49% last year.
Privacy concerns also played a role, with fears over misuse of personal information such as photos. Despite the decline in active use, 89% of adult internet users still use at least one social media platform. The findings come from Ofcom’s annual survey of 7,500 people aged 16 and over.
Meanwhile, the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT has surged. More than half of UK adults (54%) now use AI, up from 31% in 2024. Some users interact with AI as if it were human, seeking relationship advice or companionship while working from home.
