18-year-olds spend more and more time online, especially on social media
18 Year Olds Spend More Time Online: New Study Reveals Social Media Trends
Poinews.com – A comprehensive study conducted by Portugal's Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (ICAD) reveals that 18 year olds spend more time on the internet than ever before, with social media platforms leading the way. The research draws from a survey of young participants in the 2025 National Defence Day, providing valuable insights into digital habits among this demographic.
The findings indicate that most young people—approximately 60%—use the internet for an average of four or more hours daily. More significantly, intensive usage of five hours or more is on the rise compared to previous years. This trend suggests that 18 year olds spend more of their waking hours connected to digital platforms rather than engaging in traditional offline activities.
How Young People Connect Digitally
The study's authors note that this increased connectivity is not necessarily problematic. As the report states: "In itself, this indicator is not necessarily a sign of problems, but rather of a life lived both physically and virtually, often intertwined, with new ways of behaving, acting and being." Social networks remain the primary platforms, with mobile phones serving as the preferred access device.
Almost 45% of surveyed young people report spending two to three hours daily on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Meanwhile, 13% dedicate six or more hours to social media engagement. Beyond social networking, online searches for educational purposes, gaming (including betting), and consuming video content contribute significantly to the time 18 year olds spend more online.
Perhaps most remarkably, 99% of respondents in 2025 had begun using the internet before age 16, while 39% started before turning 10. This early adoption rate has been steadily increasing, demonstrating that digital integration enters lives at progressively younger ages.
Gender Differences and Digital Challenges
The research highlights subtle but important gender distinctions. The rise in internet usage appears slightly more pronounced among young women than young men. Young women tend to allocate more time to social media and online searching, whereas young men gravitate toward gaming activities.
Online gambling presents another notable finding: 17% of 18-year-olds place bets online, with this figure breaking down to 30% of young men and just 5% of young women. ICAD's investigation also examined whether excessive internet use correlated with various problems, including academic difficulties, health issues, behavioral concerns, financial struggles, violence incidents, unprotected sexual activity, and emotional distress episodes.
Overall, 35% of young people reported experiencing at least one of these seven problems within the 12 months preceding the survey.
Emotional distress—encompassing lack of motivation, sadness, dissatisfaction, loneliness, and anxiety—emerged as the most frequently cited issue at 20%, followed by reduced performance at school or work at 17%.
European Policy Responses
This research aligns with broader European discussions regarding youth social media consumption. A World Health Organization report published earlier this year identified digital world dominance as a primary driver of global loneliness among young people. Excessive screen time has been consistently linked to reduced physical activity, poorer sleep quality, anxiety, depression, stress, and social isolation.
The United Kingdom's proposed legislation to restrict teenagers' social media access has intensified debates across the continent. Nations including France, Spain, Austria, Greece, and Denmark are actively considering measures to limit minors' platform access, addressing concerns from cyberbullying and addictive platform design to serious outcomes like suicide and self-harm.
As policymakers evaluate potential solutions, understanding that 18 year olds spend more time online—particularly on social media—provides crucial context for developing effective interventions. The data suggests that while increased connectivity brings challenges, it also represents an evolution in how young people navigate both physical and virtual spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do 18 year olds spend on social media daily? According to the ICAD study, approximately 45% of young people spend two to three hours on social media platforms daily, while 13% dedicate six or more hours to these activities.
What are the main concerns about increased internet usage among youth? The primary concerns include emotional distress, academic performance issues, poor sleep quality, reduced physical activity, anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
Are there gender differences in how young people use the internet? Yes, the study found that young women tend to spend more time on social media and online searching, while young men appear to spend more time gaming.
Which European countries are considering social media restrictions for teenagers? France, Spain, Austria, Greece, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are among the nations discussing or implementing measures to limit teenagers' social media access.